To put it simply, you spend a lot of time in your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking up the Thanksgiving feast, brewing the morning coffee, or baking cookies with your kids, it’s key for your kitchen to be sleek, stylish, and functional. If you’ve got your eye on a remodel for your kitchen, check out our design tips to remodel your kitchen and create a space you’ll love for years to come.
Plan properly, costly changes.
To plan properly, make sure to:
- Create a drawing of your kitchen and include measurements of counters, walkways, doorways, etc.
- Measure your doorway to ensure your fridge will fit through it.
- Plan work aisles that are at least 42 inches wide.
- Have enough space for drawers and pull-out shelves in base cabinets.
- Select materials and fixtures to help contractors make more accurate bids.
- Add extra time to the remodeling schedule for unexpected changes.
- Get help from a professional interior designer if you’re undecided about the style, layout, or other elements.
Choose Appliances Wisely
When buying new appliances, choose those that fit your lifestyle and budget. While flashy stovetops and ovens are tempting, it’s much wiser to spend money on the design of the overall remodel. Fortunately, you can get high-quality appliances from trusted brands at reasonable rates.
Don’t Change the Layout
Remodeling your kitchen usually requires knocking down walls, moving electrical outlets, and shifting pipes. Not only is this extremely costly, but it also can cause unexpected problems. The best way to keep costs down is to stick to your existing layout and keep walls, appliances, and fixtures where they are.
Plan Extra Storage
You can never have too much storage. If you’re not changing your layout, there are a few ways to add storage — extending the cabinets to reach the ceiling or placing small shelving units in unused wall areas.
While choosing higher cabinets may be more expensive and require you to use a stepladder, you’ll make use of otherwise unused space. You can use those hard-to-reach areas to store items that you only need once a year like Christmas platters or special birthday dishes.
Hanging pots and skillets on unused wall space or on a ceiling-mounted rack can make extra room in drawers where they otherwise would be stored. Lastly, hooks on the backs of closet doors can keep dish towels, aprons, and cleaning supplies like brooms and mops neatly organized.
Install Kitchen Outlets
Have you ever set up your blender — only to realize there’s no outlet near? It’s always smart during a remodel to install extra outlets. You can add a few on the kitchen island (if you have one) and along the backsplash for easy access to electricity at all times. Use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) to replace older sockets, especially near water sources, and add some USB sockets to have a cellphone or laptop charging station nearby.
Plan New Lighting
Most people who remodel don’t give much thought to lighting. However, the right lighting can transform a space, making it appear bigger and more upscale. Aside from overhead lights, you could hang pendants or wall sconces over countertops to add a cozy warm vibe. In addition, use accent lighting to highlight cabinets, open shelving, or artwork on the walls.
Add a Pop of Color
Having a colorful kitchen design is on trend. But even if you prefer an all-white, all-wood, or black kitchen, don’t be afraid of adding a pop of color by dotting your kitchen with colorful accessories. As long as you don’t overdo it and stick to one additional color in different shades, you can make a big difference in the overall look of the space.
Establish a Good Relationship With Your Contractor
Open and friendly communication is key for having a good relationship with your contractor and the construction team remodeling your kitchen — it’ll help ensure your project stays on budget and within the agreed timeline. Here’s how you can build a good rapport with the team:
- Check the construction progress during work hours to show that you care about a job well done.
- Communicate your house rules. Let the team know how loud their music can be, which bathrooms to use, where to park, and whether they can smoke on-site.
- Use a message board on-site to leave requests and feedback for the project manager and team.
- Give out your cell phone number to team leaders and subs.
- Be hospitable by offering drinks and complimenting their work. Avoid bothering them while they work. Remember, a happy team will do a better job.
Final Thoughts
Remodeling your kitchen is well worth it — it can change the atmosphere in your home and make gatherings with your family much more pleasant every day. So take the time to plan properly and follow our tips to transform your space. Soon, you’ll be able to enjoy it for years to come. I hope you enjoyed the design tips to remodel your kitchen.