The Do’s and Don’ts of Kitchen Renovations
There’s a reason why the kitchen is referred to as the heart of the home. For many homeowners, it’s more than a place to cook meals for the family. It’s a space to entertain friends, for kids to do their homework, and to simply make memories.
Many homeowners are looking at their kitchen with fresh eyes and realizing there are significant updates that need to be made to fit with their current aesthetic. In some cases, a kitchen renovation is undergone for selling purposes since these projects are known to raise property values.
When it comes to kitchen renovations, there are significant details that must be paid attention to in order to achieve a successful remodel. No matter the extent of the project, there are several do’s and don’ts that homeowners should follow.
Do: Have Fun with Color
In many cases, homeowners tend to shy away from color when it comes to large areas of the home, such as the kitchen. While the kitchen is a more neutral area of the home, often used by the entire family, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo your personal style.
There are a variety of ways to add color to your kitchen that can please everyone in the home. Your cabinets are one of the easiest ways to add color. You can choose to paint both the lower and upper cabinets or go for a two-toned look as an added benefit. If you decide to sell in the future, painted cabinets will not deter your buyers since any changes they would make would be purely cosmetic and affordable.
If you have open cabinets, painting the interior wall is a great way to add a splash of color. On the other hand, you could select an accent wall if you’re itching to add boldness to your kitchen.
Don’t: Get Carried Away with Patterns
Certain areas of the home should be kept more neutral than others. While it may feel tempting to install a bold kitchen floor or a loud backsplash, it’s essential to be mindful of the future. You may be in love with the pattern today, but are you going to love it as much in five, 10, or even 20 years? Kitchen remodels often don’t come cheap, especially when tile is involved.
Instead, try to keep these areas more neutral. This will significantly benefit your bottom line when it comes time to sell. When selling your home, you want to attract as wide of a buyer’s pool as possible, which is more achievable with neutral tiling. Painted cabinets can easily be customized, but chipping away at a backsplash is a cost many buyers aren’t looking for.
Do: Take Advantage of Natural Light
It’s important to take advantage of as much natural light in the home as possible. When it shines through energy-efficient windows, natural light can help warm any space without projecting harsh UV rays. If you have the structural integrity to do so, but you don’t have any windows in your kitchen, it may be worth consulting a contractor to add a window over your kitchen sink.
Don’t: DIY Window Installations
While it may not seem like an invasive project, replacing the windows in your home requires expert installations. Otherwise, you could be exposing your home to drafts, dust, and allergens through improper installation.
A project this essential requires professional contractors and engineers. Companies like Goldenwindows.com specialize in expert window installations and can advise homeowners on the ideal style for their home and execute the project with accuracy and efficiency.
Do: Maximize Storage
In any kitchen, no matter the size, storage is essential. Whether you have a small family or a larger family, if your kitchen can’t fit the essentials, then it’s not going to function appropriately for your household.
Storage can mean many things to many families. Cabinetry is one of the basic forms of storage. If your cabinetry doesn’t reach the top of your ceiling — a style common in older homes — consider remodelling and adding higher cabinetry. You’d be surprised how much more you can fit in that excess space.
On the other hand, there are likely details throughout the kitchen where you could implement additional storage. If you have any gaps between your countertop and your appliances, consider installing a small pull-out drawer. Many homeowners love this innovative idea and use it to store their spices or smaller pantry items.
Don’t: Put Your Fridge Directly Against a Wall
This is a common mistake many homeowners make and one worth correcting during your kitchen renovation. It’s important to consider any floor trim in proximity to the fridge and any adjacent doors. If possible, consider putting your fridge in the middle of the wall and building surrounding storage. Simply measure the space for the refrigerator to determine the length and depth of your new cabinets.
Do: Budget Accordingly
You may have big dreams for your kitchen, but have you gone over your finances with a fine-tooth comb? Kitchen remodelling is one of the pricer projects homeowners will take on and often requires a healthy budget.
Before you call any contractors to start tearing down cabinetry, take the time to make a renovation budget where you can outline your projected expenses against your current income. You want to ensure you’ve taken the necessary steps to save money before you have to pay any professionals.
Don’t: Forget the Unexpected
In any renovation, there are often hidden costs that only show themselves once the project has begun. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard, try to set aside at least twenty percent of your original budget as a contingency. Older homes are most common for unexpected expenses but regardless, having that money aside is beneficial. If you don’t end up using any of it, you can decide where best to allocate your extra funds — whether it’s upgrading features in the home or putting it back into your savings for future renovations.
