One of the most important rooms in a home is its kitchen, and this space is often one of the biggest selling points. So if you're considering remodeling this part of your house, whether to improve the overall value of your property or to create the cooking space of your dreams, the following ten steps can guide you through the entire process.
Step 1: Remodel Timeline and Goals
One of the hardest parts of renovating a kitchen is deciding on what features you must have and how long it will take to create this new space. Planning is an important first step for a number of reasons, but most importantly, it helps you develop a clear goal and timeline for your project. After all, how can you cook while your kitchen is temporarily out of commission?
Creating a no-hassle remodel experience can reduce how long you'll go without a functional kitchen. For example, if there are pull-out cabinet shelves that you want, but they won't be delivered for six weeks. Do you really want to tear down your kitchen and then have to wait for two months? Probably not. This is why being clear on what changes you plan to make, the supplies needed, and understanding how long it'll take for these goods to arrive, is so important.
Step 2: Create and Stick to a Budget
Now that you know what features you'd like in your new kitchen layout, it's time to figure out how much you're willing to spend and what you can and can't accomplish with that budget. Knowing your financial limits is especially important when performing any home remodel. Unfortunately, getting caught up in the moment and making spontaneous purchases without limits is easy.
If you need more capital to work with, look over which steps you can do yourself. This can create significant savings that allow you to spend more on areas you can't handle, such as plumbing and electrical work.
Step 3: Prepare and Demo Your Old Kitchen
This step is one of the most exciting and anxiety-filled aspects of any remodel because once you've ripped out the old, you're committing to installing the new. So make sure to prepare ahead of time when taking out older kitchen elements. This includes planning for waste disposal and safety, though if you've hired a contractor to handle this phase, you'll only have to worry about removing things like food, dishes, and furniture.
If you're planning to do this part yourself, ensure you prepare ahead of time with the following steps:
Shut off all utilities (gas, electric, water)
Use drop cloths to protect areas not undergoing remodeling
Empty and remove your appliances
Clear out cabinets
Rent a dumpster for hauling trash
Step 4: Check Your Plumbing
Even if you're not planning to replace faucets or water lines during a kitchen remodel, it's a great time to address any plumbing issues you've experienced, such as:
Slow drains
Hard water
Low water pressure
Leaky or frozen shut-off valves
Sink, faucet, and dishwasher leaks and drips
When addressing these issues on your own, make sure you've taken the necessary steps to prevent further damage. For example, shut off the water and have additional towels, buckets, and wrenches nearby. Or, have your contractor look at these issues and add them to your remodeling bill. Many of these issues are minor repairs that won't take more than a few minutes to address.
Step 5: Update Your Kitchen's Lighting
Kitchen lighting adds so much yet is often underestimated. If you want to add depth and modernity, consider installing new lighting in this space. It makes this area safer to prepare food in and helps create the aesthetic you're trying to achieve.
While most homeowners can install new lights and switches themselves, consult with an electrician if you're installing a new dishwasher, garbage disposal, or other appliances that require hardwiring. They'll ensure your wiring is done the first time correctly and meets the required state codes for your home's structure.
Step 6: Remodel Your Walls
Generally, you only want to do something with your kitchen's walls once any plumbing and electrical work gets completed. Once these exposed areas are closed, you can hang new drywall or patch up damaged spots. From there, you just need to finish these surfaces with spackle, drywall tape, and fine grit sandpaper to smooth the surfaces for paint. Once your new walls have are prepared, simply paint or apply the wallpaper patterns you've chosen.
Step 7: Flooring Installation
Flooring is nearly as costly as new cabinetry, so you must do your research before selecting any tile, laminate, or hardwood floor options. It's important to understand what it will take to install and maintain this new surface in your home. Take time to speak with a knowledgeable contractor about the installation process, the quality of the product you've chosen, and any recommendations they might have instead of your own and why. This will ensure you get the best value for your investment.
Step 8: Installing New Cabinetry
Cabinets will completely change the look and functionality of a kitchen, so it's no surprise that this is one of the most popular remodeling projects relied on to boost a home's value. However, whether you decide to do this part of the process yourself or hire someone, it's critical that your new cabinets get installed correctly to maximize their lifetime value and won't fall out of the wall.
There are a number of styles to choose from, but below are some of the most popular:
Shaker style
Pull-out shelves
Low cabinets
Open shelving
Make sure to work with a reputable contractor like All Organized that specialize in installing pull out shelves in Lincoln, CA.
Step 9: Countertop and Backsplash Installation
You're not alone if you're sick of your composite or vintage linoleum-topped counter! One way to give a kitchen a facelift is to install a backsplash and countertop with updated materials and patterns. While it may be tempting to handle this part on your own, think twice before doing so. It's easy to measure the dimensions of your new surface incorrectly because of the many edges and surface area you need to cover. Stone countertops are always a stylish choice, and you can buy stone countertops cut to size so you can rest assured they will fit your kitchen correctly.
Step 10: Upgrade Your Appliances
With your new floors, cabinets, countertops, and lights installed, now it's time to improve the functionality of your kitchen with new appliances. While this is an expensive step, it's usually the easiest to complete since installation usually just requires a dolly for transport and an electrical plug nearby.
When choosing the type of devices you want in your kitchen, consider those that have a multi-purpose system. For example, you can get a smart fridge that has a wifi-connected tv embedded in its door. This makes it super convenient to watch tv while prepping meals in the morning before work.
The Bottom Line
The process of remodeling a kitchen can be frustrating and overwhelming without the right planning. You want to create a cooking space that fits your needs and has modern features to make your culinary experiences more enjoyable. Even if you're looking for easy upgrade ideas on a tight budget, features like pull-out shelves and an eye-catching backsplash can make all the difference in this room.
