What To Consider When Remodeling A Kitchen

Of course, there is a bevy of items to consider when remodeling a kitchen but ultimately the most important is to end up with quality products that maximize functionality and provide lasting enjoyment. Your true goal for remodeling the kitchen should always be front of mind, especially when consulting the budget.

You might be surprised to know that a large portion of homeowners that have been through a kitchen remodel would jump at the chance to have a do-over. That's right, according to data from the Research Institute of Cooking and Kitchen Intelligence (RICKI) 47% of homeowners who made a kitchen improvement reported they would have spent more if they had it to do again. Here are 5 things to consider to make sure that you avoid those same kitchen remodel regrets.

TIP 1:

ENLIST THE HELP OF A DESIGN PROFESSIONAL

Nobody knows what you are envisioning for your kitchen better than you, but seeking help from a professional can help fine-tune that plan. A designer has years of experience and training on their side, which enables them to offer advice that could save you from purchasing lower quality products and materials or choosing a design that doesn’t fit your specific needs. Since they have worked through dozens, perhaps hundreds of situations they are aware of the most common kitchen remodel mistakes and can help you avoid them.

Another benefit of working with a design professional is they may have the ability to reconfigure the walls, the ceiling or even the windows to make your kitchen feel larger without the expense of a room addition. This is the first tip on the list because all the other tips will be easier to achieve with the help of a professional designer. Do you need help finding a designer? Simply visit out dealer locator and type in your zipcode.

TIP 2:

PRIORITIZE WORKFLOW AND FUNCTION

It goes without saying that you want your kitchen to look beautiful, but remember it's what's on the inside that counts. Take some time to think about how you use your current kitchen. What are the must-have items that you cannot go without? What are your pain points? You want to think about where you’ll store your pots, pans, plates, spices, cutting boards, gadgets and serving platters. Pay careful attention not to leave anything out including appliances and the garbage can.

Another insider tip is to strongly consider using as many pullout drawers as you can in your lower cabinets to increase accessibility and convenience. Finally, be sure you have the proper “work triangle” setup. What is the “work triangle?” This just means that your kitchen’s busiest areas, like the sink, oven and fridge, are positioned close to each other for a smooth flow from cooks and others. To learn more about how you can achieve this visit our article on How to Work With Cabinet Designers.

TIP 3:

NEVER FORGO CABINETRY

Sure, minimalism sounds great in theory, but where exactly are you going to store all of those dishes? Popular ideas like incorporating open shelving into kitchens continues to increase in importance among remodelers, but it tops our list of kitchen trends to avoid for a couple of reasons. The obvious one is that standard cabinetry offers much more storage space than open shelving does. The other reason standard cabinets are a superior option is due to the added cleaning that is often required with open shelves, due to the buildup of dust from lack of use. In spite of all of this, open shelving may still make sense for some, but this is a topic that should be discussed with your design professional.

A good overall guide to follow is to be careful not to give up cabinet space during a renovation unless you are certain you have enough. Of the 47% of homeowners who wish they’d have spent more, kitchen cabinetry was the top item they wished they'd have spent more on, which makes it a very important point to consider when remodeling your kitchen.

TIP 4:

DON’T FORGET ABOUT APPLIANCES

The cost of a kitchen renovation can add up, which sometimes requires budget cuts. We would caution you against trying to save money by choosing to go with lower quality appliances. Sure appliances today offer everything from cameras in the oven for watching your cookies bake to refrigerators and dishwashers that you can control with your phone.

You may not need the absolute latest technological advancements, but you definitely want to prioritize quality appliances that boast high energy efficiency. This could mean that in order to remain within budget you may have to pass on that elaborate light fixture that you love, but having highly used appliances that are energy efficient and durable is more important than having an art piece on the ceiling don’t you think?

TIP 5:

BE FLEXIBLE WITH THE BUDGET

The budget is one of the most important items to consider when remodeling your kitchen because it guides the decisions made on everything else. Before starting your project, the designer is going to want an idea of the budget, so you’ll need to put some thought into nailing down this number. When you’re doing this, remember that almost half of the people who remodel their kitchen wish they’d have spent more, so build in some flexibility.

This is a lifetime investment so you’ll want to make sure that the function and quality of the kitchen aren’t sacrificed. If you need to cut back consider what you could potentially drop that won’t affect these items. Remember the true goal of your kitchen remodel, whether it is to have more storage, a brighter space, or to update aged cabinetry, and make sure that you make decisions with that in mind.

Another great way to save money on a kitchen remodeling project is by keeping the kitchen’s current layout. You will save money by leaving major systems such as plumbing, gas, electric and heating intact.

Our team is here to help

We understand that although a kitchen remodel is exciting it doesn't come without its set of challenges. Plain & Fancy is happy to share these tips with you in the hope that they keep the stress of your kitchen remodel to a minimum. Feel free to visit one of our showrooms or contact us to learn more.