A quality kitchen can be the difference between a good and great home. There are many factors to consider when planning a kitchen reno – from appliances and materials to layout and functionality. The following guide will help you get started with some kitchen renovation tips.
GET PROFESSIONAL DESIGN HELP
It might be a good idea to hire a kitchen designer as they will have the knowledge and expertise that you don’t. Interior designers can help bring your dream kitchen to life and provide the knowledge of what makes a functional kitchen for your lifestyle. That said, you will want to ask about how they charge. For instance, do they bill for design, along with a markup on everything you buy? Can you buy things on your own to save money? Or are the design services billed on an hourly rate?
ACCEPT THAT YOU WILL BE LIVING WITHOUT A KITCHEN DURING THE RENO
Depending on how significant of a remodel you’re planning, you should be prepared to live without a kitchen for a period of time. This is necessary because you will want to maximize every available inch in the room so a complete and thorough demolition might be called for as this allows the contractor to start from scratch.
CHOOSE APPLIANCES AND PLUMBING FIXTURE EARLY
Your appliances can drastically influence how you can layout your kitchen. When planning for the fit, make sure you measure width, depth, and height and account for clearance room around door openings. As appliances are constantly being updated with new models, it’s important to select them before the kitchen goes into production so the kitchen company has the correct specifications to accomodate for your appliances. This is especially important for built-in appliances as the slightest change in dimensions can be either too small or too big for the cabinet accomodation.
Ventilation is also important to consider in the planning stages. People often forget that the range requires a vent, or they underestimate the strength it needs – a heavy duty range needs a heavy duty hood. Depending on the type of exhaust fan you choose (such as wall exhaust fans, range hood inserts, custom range hoods, etc.) you may need the cabinetry to be accomodated for or you might even need a larger exhaust duct.
Plumbing fixtures are also important to select early on as it can affect the kitchen production. Sinks, for instance, come in a variety of different sizes where the kitchen counters and cabinets need to be accommodated for. You can check with your local retailer if they will permit you to purchase in advance and will hold for you until you’re ready for the install. If not, you may need to purchase the plumbing fixtures early on to ensure it doesn’t go out of stock and is guaranteed to fit in your new kitchen.
CHOOSE ONE DESIGN FEATURE AS THE FOCAL POINT
It is important to add a little personality into your kitchen but it’s easy to get carried away. It is recommended to select one feature to act as the main attraction and build around it. This is especially true for small spaces.
GET SAMPLES
Consider laying out all your tiles for a dry run before the actual installation. Tiles are dyed and can have significant variations in colour. By laying out all your tiles ahead of time, you can hide the less desirable ones under appliances or mix them up so you aren’t stuck with a row of off-coloured tiles.
CONSIDER CLEAN UP
Your design choices can also affect how much time you spend tidying your kitchen. Consider things that will get dirty — open shelving bookending a range looks great, but you’ll have to constantly wipe down the items stored here as grease and oil from cooking will constantly build up. Lastly, plan out where you’re going to want your garbage and recycling as you will want this accessible in your prep space.
Whether you’re just starting to think about your kitchen remodel or you’ve been planning for years and are finally ready to pull the trigger, the experts at Moose Kitchen and Bath are here to work with you to make your dream kitchen a reality.