As the focal gathering point for most families, the kitchen is usually the first room an individual wishes to update when a home remodel takes place. Afterall, it’s the mecca of the home—the space where all of the action takes place. From cooking and entertaining, to holiday gatherings and family meals, the kitchen and its surrounding area need to accommodate all of these activities and more. It’s easy to fall in love with a newly updated kitchen, but updating one yourself can be very overwhelming. We at Insight Remodeling recommend the following tips for local Longview homeowners on the edge of an upgrade.
Determine Your Budget
The first step to a kitchen remodel is to determine a budget and stick to it. Before sitting down with a calculator and coming up with a random number, it’s best to understand first what you are up against. For example, a large portion of the budget will most likely go to cabinets, as well as to hardware and fixtures. It’s helpful to visit showrooms, talk to friends who have been through recent remodels, and understand what is available so that a realistic cost can be determined. After you have done some thorough research and have established an acceptable budget, be sure to add in some padding for additional expenditures. Always plan for the unexpected.
Own Your Style
Whether it’s a rustic farmhouse sink, a clean look of stainless steel, or a metro kitchen with bright appliances, the design options available on the market today are endless. Everyone has their own distinct flair and today’s modern kitchens can be completely transformed to reflect this personal style. Determine if you want traditional, transitional, contemporary or shabby chic, and then begin searching for components that fit this look.
Choose The Layout
The size of your kitchen will help dictate the overall layout. Even small kitchens can be designed with an effective workflow. This part of the design process can be the toughest. Is the kitchen horizontal or circular? Narrow or wide? Is there room for an island? If there is an area in the budget to hire the help of a kitchen designer for advice on where to place things, this could be an investment well spent.
A remodeling specialist can help establish the kitchen’s workflow and figure out where the best location should be for items such as the stove and refrigerator. Simple solutions such as how high to stack the cabinets and where to place the island also come up. It’s amazing how you can utilize the space and sometimes it just takes the advice of someone who has done it a hundred times to get the right look and flow.
Plan For Storage
During a kitchen remodel, everyone is going to have their one big “request” of something they must have in order for the remodel to be deemed successful. For many, this entails additional kitchen storage. Whether it is cabinets that reach the ceiling, a multipurpose fixture that hangs over the island, or an expansive pantry built into the wall, additional storage can help organize pots and pans, spices and seasonings, and everything else that a kitchen needs to run smooth. This should be a component of the overall planning process so that the appropriate storage can be accounted for and included.
Find Your Fixtures and Finishes
While this part of the remodel process can seem exhausting, it is actually where the fun begins! Once the layout, architecture and workflow are determined, this is the time where you can put all your design ideas into action. Choosing between granite or marble countertops, slate or wood floors, glass or wooden cabinets, can be cumbersome. However, there are so many beautiful options on the market today, it’s hard to lose. If you have your heart set on a certain marble that is three times your budget, the chances are good that you will find affordable granite that looks similar. So before you spend an hour looking at a finish that is three times your slated price range, ask to see what other options work within your budget and stay there. This helps to keep on track financially without wasting time obsessing over what you can and cannot have or afford.
Save On Accessories
Rugs, cushions, vases and simple accessories can bring the entire kitchen together and make it feel and look like your personal space. This is an area where money can be saved, by visiting discount retail stores where you can purchase one-offs of unique finds that have your name written all over it. Online discount retailers such as Overstock.com are great alternatives for finding textiles such as rugs, cushions and window treatments. Spend the money in your budget where it needs to be spent (i.e. cabinets) and carefully craft your accessories and trinkets on a smaller budget where you know you can stretch your dollar.
Home remodeling does not have to be an exhausting, overwhelming experience. For Longview homeowners we suggest the following: make a plan, determine your budget, do your research, and stay on track. In return, you can have the kitchen you have always dreamed of having.
