It’s come time for a kitchen update, but you’re not sure where to start. There are many aspects of a successful kitchen remodel, but these steps will teach you how to plan a kitchen remodel like a pro.
1. Get inspiration.
One of the most fun parts of a kitchen remodel is looking at other beautiful kitchens and dreaming of how yours will look someday. You can get inspiration from just about anywhere – friend’s homes, remodeling television shows, magazines, websites and even Pinterest. Save your favorite images or jot down notes, focusing on what aspects of the kitchen you’d like to include in your own design.
2. Set a budget.
Now that you’re inspired, it’s time to think about what you can realistically accomplish with the money you have. Your current finances will guide how much you can afford to spend in your kitchen remodel. You should also consider your neighborhood (the goal is to get a return on investment, so you don’t want to over-improve) and how long you plan to live there.
3. Decide on a layout.
For layout decisions you want to decide where the main items to be located – sink, oven, refrigerator, cabinets, island, table, etc. Start with your current layout. Is it working for you? Could you picture better arrangement? Get out the paper and pencil to experiment with options.
4. Get estimates & choose a contractor.
You have inspiration, a budget, and a desired layout for your kitchen – now’s the time to find the right person to do the work. Get estimates but remember that it’s not always wise to go with the lowest price. You should also look at the contractor’s areas of expertise, their portfolio pictures and their customer reviews.
5. Cabinet decisions.
For step 5 and beyond, we’ll be looking at more specific decisions with each aspect of your remodeled kitchen. Starting with cabinets, your first decision will be whether you will reface/repaint your current cabinets or replace them completely. This will be decided by your budget and the condition of your current cabinets. After this decision is made, it’s time to think about colors and hardware.
6. Countertop decisions.
In choosing your countertop, you’ll want to decide on your countertop material then the specific color/design. Popular countertop materials include granite, quartz, marble, solid-surfacing materials (acrylic and/or polyester), tile, laminate, soapstone, steel, concrete and wood. Each has pros and cons and different price points.
7. Flooring decisions.
In the kitchen you want a durable and easy to clean flooring material. Some good choices are linoleum, ceramic tile, wood and laminate. Like countertops there are pros and cons to each. Once you determine your material you can narrow it down further by choosing a color/style.
8. Appliance decisions.
When choosing appliances for your kitchen, consider your lifestyle and how you use your current kitchen. Appliances can be quite expensive, but if the kitchen is the center of the house and you cook or entertain frequently, you may choose quality over price. Some considerations include heat source (gas, electric or induction) as well as material, style, size, design and special features.
9. Sink & faucet decisions.
When deciding on your sink and faucet there are also a number of things to consider. For the sink you’ll have to decide upon material, the number of bowls and the depth. Choosing a faucet is often a matter of personal taste, but before you buy your favorite design, also consider if it will function well in your kitchen.
10. Lighting decisions.
Finally it’s time to decide on lighting, which is an important decision because inadequate lighting can spoil an otherwise perfect kitchen. Some people prefer recessed lighting and others prefer mounted lights, which take on a range of shapes and designs that add to the charm of your kitchen. For cabinets you may consider under-cabinet lighting, and for kitchen islands you’ll want some pendant lights that hang down to illuminate the workspace.
Planning a kitchen remodel is tough, but these steps on how to plan a kitchen remodel are sure to guide your way. The important part is to not rush any of the above steps – each deserves your full attention in order to create the kitchen of your dreams.
Gerety Building & Restoration can work with you to design your perfect kitchen, even using design software so you can envision how your kitchen will look. To learn more about our kitchen remodeling services, call us at (914) 248-1300 or visit our kitchen remodeling page for more information.
