The
kitchen has always been the heart of the home and still remains
so today. Kitchens are the number one choice for rooms to be renovated.
In order for a successful kitchen renovation, you must be prepared
when the project begins. With a bit of creativity and imagination
and guidance from professionals, when needed, your dream kitchen
renovation will come off without a hitch.
Before
you begin your dream kitchen renovation, there are a few things
you should know in order to prevent unnecessary stress and frustration.
Here are a few tips to give help you make that dream kitchen a reality.
·
Save time and money by choosing do-it-yourself projects that you
know you can complete successfully.
·
If you doubt your ability to complete a project successfully, hire
a professional. This will save you time and money in the long run.
·
Renovation plans change. Be sure to have a backup plan to prevent
the renovation project from continuing for months.
Budget
·
Make a firm renovation budget and stick to it. Whatever your budget,
add fifteen percent for unforeseen repairs and materials. Renovations
almost always cost more that what is budgeted. You may need extra
time and materials to complete the project or you may decide that
you'd like a marble countertop instead of laminate. There are
many scenarios that would take extra money to complete the renovation.
·
If you must hire a contractor to do a portion of the work, ask for
references and photos of work that he has completed. Check his references
and ask him to produce his business license and his insurance certificate.
If he cannot produce these things, keep looking for the perfect
contractor for the job.
Products
and Materials
·
Always choose products and materials that are of high quality. Purchasing
low-end materials for the job may come back to haunt you a few years
down the road. Research products you wish to use. There are times
when a lower cost item may be of superior quality.
·
When you decide you're going to renovate, start a renovation
folder. Make notes in a renovation journal and be sure to include
a wish list. This is the place to keep track of all of your ideas
and to make note of your color scheme and floor plan. As you make
decisions, make note of them in the renovation journal and keep
it in the renovation file where it can be easily accessed. Include
pictures from magazines for ideas of what you wish to incorporate
into your kitchen. Be sure to include notes on about lighting, fixtures
and taps. Do you want a gooseneck faucet? Are you planning on installing
a kitchen island? All of your ideas should be kept in the renovation
file.
Appliances
·
Stoves come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Refrigerators
come in different colors, heights and widths. Choose large appliances
in a neutral color. This will save you money if you ever decide
to change the color scheme of your kitchen.
·
If you are purchasing new appliances that have to fit within a specific
space, be sure to take the measurements when you go shopping. Guessing
will not suffice. When your new appliances come into your newly
renovated kitchen, you want to ensure that they will fit into the
allotted space.
·
Do not buy a refrigerator that has an ice dispenser unless you already
have the appropriate plumbing or plan to install it. Refrigerators
with ice dispensers need special plumbing.
·
If your new refrigerator and/or stove will set beside your counter,
be certain the depth of the appliance is correct. Otherwise, your
new appliances may be deeper than the counter, which will distract
from the beauty of your newly renovated kitchen.
·
Small appliances, such as blenders, coffeemakers, toasters and can
openers come in black, white, stainless and a variety of other colors.
Keep in mind that neutral colors are best. You wouldn't want
to have red appliances if, in the future, you decide to paint your
kitchen green.
Kitchen
Islands
·
If space permits, a kitchen island is a great idea. Families congregate
in the kitchen and an island provides and inviting place to gather.
If you decide to install a kitchen island, choose one that provides
as much storage as possible. Some kitchen islands include cupboards
and drawers below the countertop. Others provide a cooking top or
sink.
·
If your kitchen island will have a cook top, install it six inches
higher than the eating counter. This acts as a barrier between the
eating area and cooking utensils, pots and pans and allows a space
for people to gather to chat with the cook.
Flooring
·
Be sure to choose a sturdy floor that will be comfortable to stand
on when working in the kitchen. Ceramic, porcelain and stone looks
wonderful on a floor and are extremely durable. However, they are
hard on the legs and feet if you are standing on them for hours
cooking a huge family meal.
·
Choose wooden flooring that has give. It is durable and comes in
a wide range of colors. A popular, modern flooring is cork, which
is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Cork is extremely
comfortable and is being chosen by consumers for durability and
ease on the feet and legs.
Counters
·
The counter you choose for your newly renovated kitchen is the landscape
of the room. Counters are available in many materials, patterns
and colors. Marble, fireslate, butcher block, concrete, acrylic
and stainless steel are just some of the choices. In fact there
are so many types of counters that you may become overwhelmed when
attempting to decide what would look best. Be sure to choose a counter
that will compliment your color scheme, yet be neutral enough to
compliment a wide variety of color schemes. The counter will be
in your kitchen for years, so be sure it is one that you can truly
live with.
Ventilation
·
It is imperative that your newly renovated kitchen is properly ventilated.
The cook top must be vented and you must choose whether to choose
a hood or an inconspicuous downdraft.
·
Be sure to make choices about your ventilation system before kitchen
renovations begin. Any decision or ideas should be recorded in your
renovation journal.
·
If you choose to hire a contractor, be sure he is aware of the type
of ventilation system you wish to have before the project begins.
This will aid him in assuring that the ventilation system is properly
installed.
In
order to renovate your kitchen successfully, have money set aside
for mistakes and unexpected expenditures. Be creative, plan extensively
before the project begins and remember to have lots of patience
in order to save energy, time and money. Once your kitchen renovations
are complete, you'll be amazed at the beauty of the room. Do-it-yourself
projects can be very rewarding if proper planning is implemented
before the work begins. Enjoy your beautiful, new kitchen and spend
many hours at the heart of your home.
