Picture this.
You want to renovate your kitchen?
Good for you!
But let’s face it, we’ve all heard enough renovation horror stories to make us think twice before committing to such a project.
Tackling a kitchen reno without proper preparation can be more than enough to keep you up at night. There are so many decisions ranging from choosing a good contractor to selecting the right finishes.
Honestly, we all want an aestheicaly pleasing, functional workspace afterall the kitchen is the heart of the home.
To help you get there, we compiled these simple tips to help you steer clear of commonly made mistakes.
Set Your Budget
In my experience the one thing that homeowners forget to take into account is the possibilty of overspending.
Budgeting is one of the most important factors when planning your for your new kitchen.
Doing some research through visiting kitchen showrooms and home stores to figure out the cost of the items you need will help you determine if you’re ready to start remodeling your kitchen.
However, quality should come first.
Select the best items you can afford. When it comes to kitchen renovations, you want to have high efficiency and functional items. Bells and whistles are nice but be mindful of buying unnecessary items.
I’m all for a good DIY project but to minmize damage and speed the process along you’ll want to hire a professional contractor.
Consider hidden costs that might occur. You’ll want to factor in the taxes and any shipping or delivery costs that might come up, and don’t forget the cost of labor and materials.
These cost add up very quickly, so it’s important to take them into account when you’re setting the budget.
After you’ve estimated all of the costs, I recommend you set your budget and then add 10% to allow room for the unexpected.
Plan The Smartest Layout
They say, the bigger, the better but you may want to consider what’s essential to plan the smartest layout that offers efficiency.
While you want your dream kitchen to look great, the primary foundation of a good cookspace is plan and design to have a seamless workflow that will let you access the equipment efficiently.
The Work Triangle
The three main work zones in the kitchen are:
- the refrigerator where the food is stored
- the sink where the food is washed
- the stove/oven where the food is cooked
These three areas should form an imaginary triangle without any obstruction.
Ideally, for your kitchen to be most efficient, these zones should be position close to each other otherwise you’ll have to take too many steps while preparing meals.
The Island
One of the tips to consider, especially when you have a large kitchen is putting an island. This layout gives you flexibility, as it can be used for preparing, cooking, eating and my kids personal favorite homework.
Have a small kitchen?
No worries there are island workstations that have casters or wheels for temporary use.
Save Here and There
When it comes to kitchen design creating a good plan and being able to visualize ideas that can save you money is a key.
Luckily here are tips to consider for making your kitchen remodeling less expensive:
- Consider buying a matching appliance package
- Buy a counter-depth refrigerator
- Select the right countertop material
- Avoid cheap hardware
- Save on lighting
After deciding on the design and the materials, you’ll use for your kitchen remodeling you are ready to hire a contractor the right company to help you.
Once you know what you want and you can afford, a good contractor will make sure the plan is laid out and will ensure convenience to you and your family.
If you are looking for the best contractors near Kingstowne, you’ve come to the right place.
In search of other reliable services around the area? Click here for a consolidated list of trusted vendors near you.
More on home renovation projects
- Home Improvements to Increase Your Homes Value via Ask A Walker
- Tips for a Profitable Kitchen Renovation via John Cunningham
- Making Sure Your Renovations Pay via Joe Samson
Thinking of selling your home? Check out our 20+ step Guide to Selling Your House. Or you can contact me now to start the process immediately. Same day appointments are available on a case by case basis. I look forward to hearing from you.
About the Author: The above article was written by Abraham Walker, Your Northern Virginia Real Estate Agent, helping clients market their homes to achieve high sales with a quick closing time is my main priority. He’s the co-founder of Ask A Walker and can be found on YouTube, Facebook, and HERE on this blog.
I can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (703)539-2053. I’m happy to answer all your real estate questions.
