Remodeling your kitchen sounds like a fun and creative project. Everybody likes to refresh their favorite cooking space every now and then. Still, you should be careful and make a good plan before attempting anything. Various elements like dimensions, budget and space come into the equation.
It is good to consider trends and turn your kitchen into a beautiful cooking spot, but it is equally important to think about functionality and ease of access. Since I want to go into this remodeling adventure myself, I decided to consult the pros. Here’s some advice I received from Northeast Kitchen Remodel & Design Build.
Start with a Plan
As I mentioned above, planning is crucial. Feel free to take as much time as you need to calculate everything to the finest detail. You want to avoid as many unpleasant surprises and try to predict what could go wrong. Now is the time to take a good look at your kitchen, put advantages and disadvantages on paper and use that to create something really nice and practical.
It is good to follow trends, but there’s no point rebuilding your entire kitchen in a completely different style that doesn’t fit the rest of the home just to have something you saw on the internet. Be creative, but remain realistic with the space and money you have. A big, expensive new fridge is awesome, but would it fit in your kitchen?
Think about what you currently have and what you could improve. It is vital to measure space and improve maneuverability, because in the end, there’s no point remodeling if you are going to make it more difficult to cook.
Choose the Appliances for Functionality, not Appearance
Sure, everybody would quickly jump to get a new fancy, luxurious stove, and think about whether that was the right decision. It is important to remember that appliances are only tools that need to help you cook. It is better to think about how much, and what you usually cook and then choose the appliances accordingly.
With so much choice on the market it is easier to personalize your experience and find exactly what you need. Instead of getting the most expensive stuff you can find, it is better to put that money elsewhere to improve the whole remodeling process.
Focus on Functionality and Quality
You don’t remodel every day. This is the perfect opportunity to fix everything you didn’t like before and raise your kitchen to a level that’s going to satisfy your taste both in terms of functionality and style. You should make a budget and plan accordingly, but it is also important to remember that more quality items that might cost a bit more right now will pay off in the long run. Cheaper options might seem ok now, but once you are done, you want a kitchen that’s going to provide years of quality service, with very little maintenance or repairs.
Use the Space You Have to Your Advantage
Ceilings, walls, any empty space in the kitchen can be used for something useful. Buy, or build custom cabinets that go up to the ceiling. You will be more economic with the space available, and also avoid having to dust hard-to-reach areas. Use empty walls to hang shelves where you can put items you use frequently. Don’t be afraid to be practical, you can even use the side of cabinets to mount shelves, or hooks.
Whatever you choose, it is always good to share your ideas with the pros and let them shed some light on the whole process. Their experience is invaluable here. Sometimes you know what you want, but have trouble understanding how to get there, again, you can get help from people who remodel kitchens for living.
