5 Crucial Things To Consider For A Kitchen Renovation
To renovate your kitchen within a budget, you need to have a comprehensive plan in place. A kitchen renovation is a challenging job that involves many things, other than simply sourcing ideas from the internet and poring through locally available samples. Additionally, remodelling tends to get out of hand; both in terms of the scale of the work and costs involved. Hence, you need to establish a few ground rules and ensure that you stick to them.
1 - Budget:
A kitchen renovation is a major expense. You need to decide on the scale of the job and choose the budget accordingly. Consult with a good local realtor to understand what value the kitchen renovation will add to your house when you sell it. This value needs to justify the money you plan to spend on the renovation. An interior decorator would also help by giving you a rough estimate of the costs. If you have to look for finance options to get the job done, then check out the different loan options available and the interests charged. Finally, look at ways in which you can help to reduce some of the involved costs.
2 - Possibility of utilizing the existing layout:
Most renovation experts recommend sticking with the current layout to keep the costs low and the renovation simple. You need to seriously contemplate utilizing the parts of the existing layout that you feel will go with the renovations you have in mind. While changing the position of a cabinet is not very costly, changing layouts related to plumbing, electricity or gas would require permits as well as professionally qualified and licensed contractors. The scale of renovation will go up along with the costs. You should be prepared for the same.
3 - Contemplate adding space:
One common reason for a kitchen renovation is the need for more space. Still, before knocking out walls, you need to be practical about it and ensure the costs justify the extra space. Looking at other less costly options, like the expansion of cabinet space, and the rearrangement of existing appliances, should also be explored. If you have unused space available adjoining the kitchen, incorporating it to acquire a more functional space for your kitchen is always a good idea. Discussing the same with a certified architect or kitchen planner will too, be beneficial.
4 - Kitchen appliances:
These should be chosen after careful deliberation. Kitchen appliances that require additional renovations for their installation, should be chosen only if their utility justifies the extra costs incurred. For example, the installation of a dishwasher requires additional space, wiring and plumbing. Hoods also come with specific installation instructions that might require major remodelling.
5 - Kitchen lighting:
The lighting arrangement of any room has a big influence on the outcome of the renovation. For a kitchen, installation of correct lighting is very crucial. Replacing old windows with more modern or larger ones, makes the room look bright and cheerful. Using layered lighting like recessed lighting, pendant fixtures, under cabinet lights, all create a dramatic effect and such innovations should be considered.
A kitchen renovation is special, since you will be spending a considerable amount of time there lovingly labouring over a meal. Thus, it is best to look into the above-mentioned points and come up with a successful and well-made kitchen renovation plan.
