Did you know the average kitchen remodel cost $14,864 in 2021? We all spent hours and hours staring at our kitchens during the pandemic, and more than a few of us decided it was time for something new!
But before you start calling contractors, you need to have a plan in place. You need to have clear ideas about what you want so that when the time comes they can complete the project as quickly as possible.
Let’s take a look at how to plan a kitchen renovation that will tick all your boxes.
What a Kitchen Renovation Should Accomplish
First of all, a kitchen needs to be practical. It’s a functional room and back in our grandmothers’ day, that was all it was. Decoration didn’t feature.
Today, we’re a little more style conscious and expect our kitchens to deliver high levels of convenience along with a wow factor. Start with functionality and then move on to style.
Functional Features
Every kitchen starts with a few basics – kitchen sink, range, and refrigerator. Always plan for these to be situated to create a ‘working triangle’. That means that when you’re working in the kitchen, you should be able to move easily between the three.
At this stage, think about whether to incorporate an island. If you’ve got a galley kitchen, this won’t be possible. But if your kitchen is open plan, you should definitely think about including one.
An island is essentially functional. It can be a simple storage and vegetable preparation area. But always make sure it has power outlets, so you can use your Instant Pot or air fryer on it.
If you want to take your island to the next level, consider housing your cooktop in it. You could also add a second sink for washing veggies. But this would need to form part of a serious kitchen renovation project because of the plumbing involved.
Also, think about incorporating some seating for casual dining in your kitchen itself. This could be bar stools at an island or a dining nook. You could even include swinging doors to give the dining area a degree of separation from the kitchen.
Integrate Your Appliances
It’s crucial to think about appliances before you design your cabinets and layout. The size of the appliances will have a bearing on the cabinets you choose.
Start with the basics – refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave, and then think about the extras. Do you want an integrated coffee machine, or are you happy with a countertop version? Would you like a steam oven or a double oven, or will you go for a range?
When considering appliances, think about how you actually live, not how Martha Stewart lives. If you’re not likely to do much more than boil pasta, you don’t need a $10,000 range. And with rising electricity prices, focus on appliances with excellent Energy Star Ratings.
If you’ve got a small kitchen, pay attention to where you site the dishwasher and oven. You don’t want them to block walkways and cause a trip hazard.
Have these remodel ideas clearly in mind before moving on to your cabinetry.
Time to Choose Your Cabinets and Countertop
This is the exciting part because your cabinets and countertop allow you to really put your mark on the space.
Think about the most practical layout for your kitchen before you fall in love with a particular design. If you buy an off-the-shelf kitchen, you need to make sure that the range of cabinet door sizes matches your needs. A bespoke kitchen is pricier but gives you total flexibility.
Choosing Counters
Make sure that there is plenty of counter space. If you love to cook, a tea kettle, a stand mixer, and a food processor all need somewhere to go and allow space to cut veggies at the same time.
Think about functionality as well. Marble gives a luxurious, high-end finish, but it’s also a nightmare to keep clean and maintain. Quartz, on the other hand, is much more hardwearing and user-friendly. Plus, it’s more cost-effective.
Cabinets Aren’t the Only Option
Consider adding some open shelving up top to showcase beautiful serving ware and allow more light to flood into your kitchen. You may feel like you’re losing a lot of storage space, but the back of high cupboards tends to be inaccessible anyway. It’s true, you do have to keep them looking good, but they’re well worth the effort.
Cabinets or Drawers?
We’ve probably all been raised with kitchen cabinets, but could deep drawers actually be the more practical solution?
Deep drawers are much more accessible than cupboards. You don’t need to get down on your hands and knees to search for things hidden at the back of the cupboard. Everything is within easy reach.
You can also extend this idea with pull-out pantry cupboards. This can actually help you reduce food waste because you can easily see what you already have on hand.
Now Choose Your Cabinetry
Now it’s time to choose the style of your cabinetry. This is the time to decide whether you want to go traditional or modern. You can also think about your color choice.
Blues and greens are on-trend in 2022. And we’re talking rich, deep, statement colors – none of your pastels here. But if you want to stick with something more safe, French gray and cream shaker style cabinets are timeless classics.
Think About Lighting and Flooring
Finally, make sure that you think about how to utilize light. Under-cabinet LED lights are a great way to illuminate your food preparation area and look cool at night.
Spotlights are a good way to spread a broad light throughout the room, but they can be a little harsh. Consider some contemporary hanging lights to pick out your island or dining nook.
Time to Start Planning Your Kitchen Remodel
Before you start planning your kitchen renovation, think about functionality. Home decor features can be added later, but no one wants a kitchen that’s impractical.
Then consider your appliances before finally working your way to cabinetry and lighting. Before you know it, you’ll have a plan that’s ready for your general contractor.
For more home design inspiration, why not check out our Home Improvement section today? Alternatively, you can visit this article by Beautiful Homes and get inspiration on the top 5 kitchen designs of all time.
