A kitchen remodel can simultaneously be very exciting and extremely stressful. It is probably the single most impactful renovation you can make to your home to elevate its value, create enjoyment, and provide functionality. It can make the difference in whether you “Love it” and remain or “List it” and move on to greener pastures. There are numerous factors to consider before tackling the process of a kitchen renovation. Below are some tips we’ve picked up from our combined years of experience:
1) Evaluate the space for your lifestyle
No person or family lives the same. If you are considering a remodel, first evaluate how you use the space. Do you eat there? Feed the dogs there? Kids use it as dumping ground? Do you entertain consistently? Consider how an ideal layout would enhance the livability of your home, create enjoyment and pride for years to come, or provide a boost to perceived value in a sale. Considering resale is always a good idea, but don’t bypass the opportunity to be creative and make the space your own. If you plan to stay, you may as well enjoy it!
2) Work with a reputable professional
Whether you go through a remodeling contractor (may be necessary depending on the scope of work) or go straight to a supply house, make sure you sit down with a professional designer who can turn your vision into something tangible. Professional design programs can offer exceptional detail, allowing you to work prudently and efficiently through the creative process while providing a variety of functional and aesthetic options.
You should also engage someone with a solid reputation for delivering their clients wishes in an efficient, timely and amenable manner. It is important to find someone who can mitigate anxiety by assuming the coordination and facilitation of all required efforts. Eliminating these concerns will make the process much less stressful and allow you to focus on the productive and enjoyable aspects of your transformation.
3) Decide on a remodel budget and know your limits
Unless you have unlimited resources, you will want to arrive at a functioning budget that makes sense for both the home and your finances. If you plan on selling in the foreseeable future, you don’t want to over-spend what you can’t recuperate and profit from. If you are staying, you should understand how to choose between the endless array of cabinetry options (ranging from wood species, paints, and stains to ornate doors, trims, and moldings) and the convenient function that can exist. Most kitchens cannot have everything, so you will need to understand when and where to draw the line. However, you can still have fun exploring how you can optimize your budget and maximize your contentment.
4) Select your appliances early in the process
The integration of your cabinetry and appliances can make or break your project. It is critical to have the specifications for all appliances secured before your cabinetry design is finalized. These can be expensive purchases and changing them late in the process can significantly alter your design. Their location (if at all flexible in your remodel) has great influence on the efficiency of your kitchen. COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on the availability of many appliance models, so it is best to have them selected and stored for you when you need them. If they will arrive after the cabinets are installed, remember walls are inflexible, so your measurements must be precise to avoid spatial issues.
5) Keep flooring, backsplash, and countertops top of mind
Not only are these materials essential components and complementary materials to your kitchen cabinetry, but their plans for installation must also be considered in the remodel process.
What type of flooring are you utilizing? What is the elevation of the flooring and how does it affect your cabinetry? Should it be ensconced under the cabinetry or butted up to it? There are practical and visual reasons for either option, so its best they are discussed with your remodel professional.
What types of stone or tile is most ideal for your kitchen? What are the most ideal locations for each material and why? Selecting proper materials that will not only look good, but also perform and endure daily use, is vital for a successful remodel. The options are endless, so make certain you investigate them thoroughly.
6) Coordinate remodel activities to mitigate down time
Unless you have a spare kitchen in the home or plan on living elsewhere during the process, you will want to consider how you will be able to function during the remodel process and mitigate your potential down time. A timeline coordination of activities will assist you in accomplishing this. It becomes more difficult when you have extreme projects that include the removal of walls, ceilings, and floors. Plastic tarps can help contain dust, but they limit movement and cutoff access to areas of the home. If the kitchen will be totally unusable, where will you prepare meals and store necessities? Your remodel professional should be able to lay out the timeline so that it makes sense and transitions from one step to another as seamlessly as possible. Avoiding large gaps in time by assembling all the specified materials before you begin the process is ideal.
Being thorough from the onset, particularly during the design phases, will help eliminate the need or desire for changes. This will add to the completion time for any project. Be patient, however, as it is best to make changes now and not go through the upheaval again. You don’t want regrets once the process is complete.
These are certainly not all the factors you need to consider, but they are critical to ensure you are satisfied with the result of your kitchen remodel. Our team at Gulf Cabinetry can guide you through this process from concept to completion. Call us today to schedule a complimentary design consultation: (813) 402-8300
