The kitchen is the center of the lives of cooks and busy families. It is where some of the most important conversations and events happen. If we had the time, many of us would love to renovate our kitchen and just do it without breaking the bank.
We’ve come up with some tips on how to start kitchen remodeling before bashing the walls and kitchen cabinets. Here are some suggestions:
Set Your Budget and Goals
Just like any plans or remodelling, always set your budget before doing anything else. Make sure that you have a realistic budget or costing plant to ensure that you don’t go over or under.
During the planning stage, make sure to talk to your contractor. Identify your goals and communicate these to your contractor.
Talk to your contractor. Ask them their opinion and input on your proposed design. Along the way, don’t be afraid to work with them, especially when shopping for fixtures and appliances for your kitchen.
Be involved in the project, however, don’t dominate. Just make sure to meet with them regularly.
Look for Your Design
Kitchens of different sizes still have the same aspects. Therefore, you should focus on the following when working on your design:
- Countertops and backsplash
You can add drama to your kitchen by using a single slab of semiprecious stones. This is a great way to add patterns and colors in your kitchen subtly. You can also add one slab as a backsplash instead of using tiles.
If you have a small kitchen, another great backsplash option is a mirror. It adds depth in your space and can help bounce light around in your kitchen.
- Hoods
This is another element in your kitchen that you need to include in the design process. The kitchen hood can be designed according to size or material, or you can hide it from plain sight. Either way, you need to consider this in your design.
You can show off the hoods with strong elements such as using metal or stainless-steel and add more drama and balance by painting it with a black coat.
Wooden curves is also a great way to hide the hood. It’s also a great focal point in a kitchen with neutral white walls.
- Drawers and Cabinets
These are the complementary elements in your kitchen. Aside from your appliances, your drawers and cabinets are the jewelry of your kitchen.
Remember, your cabinets and drawers will help you organize your kitchen and help you cook efficiently, so make sure to find the right design for your needs.
Kitchen Layout
Your kitchen must be designed for function first before design. So, ask yourself, does my current kitchen layout works for me? If your answer is yes, then stick with it. If you think you need to change your layout, then tell your contractor what you need.
There are a lot of layouts you can choose from. You can start looking into a one-wall kitchen layout which is best for small kitchens. It does not impede traffic because of the open space.
Another standard layout is the corridor layout which has two counters on both sides. It focuses on drawers and cabinets. However, your kitchen may look crowded because of the counters and foot traffic becomes inconvenient.
A U-shaped layout is also another popular design because it opens up your space with a good workflow. However, you can’t add a kitchen island and a seating area.
All in all, the bottom line is always to consider your needs and budget before you start remodelling your kitchen. Never be afraid to seek expert advice, even in choosing your new kitchen tools and appliances.