Kitchen Remodeling can be one of the best investments you can make to increase the value of your home and offers a very good return on investment. A newly remodeled kitchen can also help increase the pleasure you get from your home and make cooking seem more fun.
People spend a lot of time in their kitchens. Follow these suggestions before beginning your kitchen remodel so you can really get the most out of your new room. If you do, you will end up with the kitchen of your dreams and make it through the construction process without unnecessary stress or frustration !
Start with a clear kitchen remodel design
It’s very important to have a clear plan before starting your kitchen remodel . I would recommend hiring a professional to draw-up your kitchen remodel plans. If you’d like to make the plans yourself, you can purchase computer design software. In either case, be very clear that you know exactly what you want before beginning !
Consider your cabinetry carefully
When deciding whether to keep or scrap your present cabinets, think about the overall design of your new kitchen. Cabinetry can make up to 50% of the cost of your new kitchen . If your old cabinets are oddly shaped, too small or are damaged, it’s probably a good idea to replace them all together. If you don’t like the color or design of the door fronts or hardware, you may want to think about simply painting, refacing the cabinets fronts and changing out the hardware. If your new ktichen is going to be entirely reconfigured , see if you can still utilize some of the old cabinetry in new configurations .
Select products that are durable
Cabinetry and countertops are going to have to remain functional over time in your new kitchen. Make sure you select durable materials that you think you’ll still love 10, 20, even 30 years down the road. Countertops are available in many different materials and colors. Be sure to choose one that you can maintain easily in a color you and your family will still love after a decade or more of use.
Show your personal flair in the details
Even though you may love the idea of teal blue countertops, consider showing your love in smaller ways. You can use teal colored highlights throught your kitchen in areas like cabinet hardware or trim, small accent tiles in the backspash or even dishware seen through a glass-fronted cabinet. It’s great to show your personal flair, but don’t do it to such an extent that others may feel engulfed or out of place in your kitchen, or in such a way that, should you grow out of it , would be prohibitively expensive to replace. The small details can add a lot of personlization without a hefty price tag.
Be prepared for the unanticipated
You’ve hired a great designer and love your kitchen remodel plans. Your contractor comes highly recommended, is easy to communicate with and clearly understands your vision . You’ve chosen cabinetry , countertops, flooring and appliances that fit your budget and your lifestyle. You have great ideas on how to best display your personal flair . The work starts and everything runs smoothly until…it doesn’t. Be ready for the unexpected. Set aside a contingency fund. If the remodeler removes the old cabinets and discovers rotten wood under your sink that has to be replaced , then you have the money set aside to do it. These unforseen things tend to come up. Like the Cub Scouts motto , “Be prepared.” You may decide that you do want a higher-end range fan . You can use your contingency fund for that. It’s not only bad things that come up, but in either case, it’s comforting to know you’ve done your best to prepare!
Jack Glisson founded J.W. Glisson Construction in Portland, OR in 1976. They specialize in kitchen remodeling, all forms of concrete work, land excavation, and building custom homes in the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA areas.
