The kitchen is the perfect place for entertaining and spending time with our loved ones. It’s also a place to create excellent food and even better memories. Unfortunately, things do not last forever, especially when we use them on a day to day basis. It can be easy for your kitchen to be worn down and in need of a facelift. If you find yourself wanting to revive your kitchen, but aren’t sure where to start, follow these steps to ensure a successful renovation.
Assess Your Needs & Wants
Before diving in headfirst to your remodeling project, it’s essential to assess your needs and wants to develop a project plan. Knowing what you’re willing to splurge versus save on will be crucial when it’s crunch-time in making decisions.
Look into popular trends and styles to determine what you like and what you feel will fit your space the best. Don’t be afraid to try something new and stray from a traditional all-white kitchen or granite countertops if that’s not something you’re interested in.
Decide on the materials you want to use for your project. This will help you estimate the cost of a kitchen remodel. Based on the size of your space, and the elements you’re looking to change, prices can vary. A big-ticket item of your kitchen will be the countertops and the material you choose will influence how much you spend. Each element has a list of pros and cons, so researching each will help you decide what will function best for you and your living space.
Before finalizing any of your plans, be sure to bring in professionals to assess your project. Receiving multiple quotes from various contractors can prove to be beneficial. That way, you can see the real cost of a job and ensure you’re receiving the best bang for your buck.
Once you develop a project plan based on your style, materials, and aspects you want to renovate, you can successfully establish a budget. Be sure to allow yourself enough spending money for hidden costs and emergencies so that you aren’t sacrificing something you wanted down the road.
Demo the Room
Now it’s time for demo; this is a part of your renovation you can do yourself. Completing the demo on your own is a great way to save yourself some extra money, and you may even find it to be fun!
Here are a few ways you can demo your room to prepare for the next steps of your renovation:
- Remove cabinet doors, and any screws that may be in the way or could be a potential hazard.
- Cut the power to the room for safety & cover any exposed wire with wire nuts.
- Remove drywall with a sledgehammer but be sure to avoid hitting the studs.
Pro tip: With any project you complete, be sure to have and utilize proper protective equipment to prevent a trip to the emergency room. A few must-have safety items are a hard hat, knee pads, dust mask, and goggles.
Replace Old Plumbing & Electrical
Plumbing and electrical work are jobs best for professionals. At this point, you have already brought in contractors to assess the general situation of the room. But, after the demo is complete, you’re able to see the bones and structure you’re working with.
Things can leak and begin to fail as they get older; it’s just the nature of life. This is an excellent opportunity to replace any worn down plumbing or electrical work to ensure your kitchen is in tip-top shape at the end of your renovation.
A few popular kitchen electrical projects to keep in mind are: under cabinet lighting, recessed lighting, pendant lights, dimmable light switches, installation of range hoods, and dishwashers.
Add Fresh Drywall and Paint
Once your plumbing and electrical jobs are complete, you can replace any drywall and give your space a fresh coat of paint. Ensure that your drywall is hung evenly and mudded so that when it comes time to paint, the surface is smooth and seamless. Drywall may be a project best left to the professionals to ensure you don’t have to redo any aspects of your remodel.
When it comes to painting high traffic areas such as the kitchen, it’s best to use a semi-gloss finish. Semi-gloss is durable and easy to clean compared to other finishes. You will be able to easily wipe away stains and mistakes with a rag, ensuring a perfect finish.
Install New Elements
Now is the time for you to bring in the finishing aspects of your room remodel that will ultimately bring the entire space together. New elements in your kitchen, such as flooring, cabinets, countertops, backsplash, and appliances, are the most significant part of your renovation. While you may be able to DIY some aspects, it’s better to call in your contractor to ensure a perfect end-result.
Flooring
You can install new flooring before or after your cabinets are in place. A variety of factors and affect this decision, including: the type of flooring you choose (laminate, tile, or hardwood), the height of your cabinets and appliances, changes in style and design trends, and your budget.
Cabinets, Countertops, and Backsplash
For ensured success, rely on your contractor to install your new cabinets. Considering the products you choose, the process of assembling the cabinets can be difficult in itself. Precise measurements are necessary, and a simple mistake can set you back a lot of time and even more money.
Countertop installation can be equally as tricky. Depending on the material and style you decide on, the job may rely on strict precision and expertise. Having an expert complete the installation will provide you with the assurances that the slabs are adequately secured and fit the space correctly. In some instances, contractors may have additional knowledge and can install other kitchen items such as a new sink, garbage disposal, or dishwasher.
An aspect of your remodel you can do yourself is to install a new backsplash. There’s a wide variety of backsplashes offered, such as peel-and-stick, porcelain, or tile. Backsplash can also be a fun way to incorporate more color into your living space or use a unique pattern to stray from the norm.
Hardware and Appliances
Hardware can make or break the aesthetics of your kitchen. You can incorporate both pulls and knobs, or go with one over the other. Choose a style and finish that complements the look you’re going for in the room. Don’t be afraid to mix finishes, such as gold and black, as they will bring a nice mixture of tones to your living space.
When bringing in appliances, be sure to cover and take care of your flooring to prevent any scratches or dings. As we mentioned before, if you have an under-mount sink, it will already be in place. For other types of sinks, plan for installation to occur after your countertops are complete. Be sure that everything is correct and functioning properly without leaks before your contractor leaves.
Enjoy
All that is left is for you to add the finishing touches of decor to personalize your kitchen and make it feel like home. By following this guide, you will be sure to have a smooth kitchen renovation that you will love.