What to Consider When Remodeling a Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. Remodeling this room to create the perfect space for you and your family requires careful planning. While selecting cabinets, countertops, floors and fixtures is fun and exciting, so much more goes into a renovating this room. Consideration must be given to whether the you need to expand the space to build your dream kitchen, if the existing layout suits your needs, and how much you wish to spend on this home upgrade.
A kitchen designer will help make sure your kitchen is functional, safe and suits you and your family’s needs and style.
Plan the Space
A kitchen remodel is typically the most expensive home renovation. How much you spend in part depends upon whether the existing room dimensions fit your overall plans for the kitchen. Working within the existing space is the most cost-effective remodeling option – but that doesn’t mean you are limited to the existing footprint. You can move things around – even doors and windows. Sometimes just changing the layout of the space can make it more open and functional. If your kitchen square footage is not sufficient, can you knock down walls and steal square footage from other rooms? Often it is possible to combine the kitchen and dining area to create a larger space. If grabbing space from adjacent rooms is not possible, you may need to extend the kitchen with an addition. Determining the floor plan for your new kitchen is definitely the starting point, as it will set the rest of the renovation in motion.
Set a Realistic Budget
Budgets can quickly expand. So, it is important to work on the numbers before you sign on the dotted line with a contractor. Once you have determined the space for your new kitchen, you will be able to get an estimate to help set a budget. The initial construction is the foundation for your budget. Construction costs, as well as costs associated with plumbing and electrical, all must be considered when setting your budget. Keep in mind that if you are not using the existing layout, you will incur costs for additional water lines, new or updated electrical wiring, re-routing of heating and cooling ductwork, etc. Once the initial construction figures are in place, you can move on to configuring how much you can spend on cabinets, countertops, backsplash, flooring, fixtures and décor – and where you want to splurge.
Choose Appliances Wisely
When selecting your new kitchen appliances, you and/or your contractor need to account for their weight and dimensions. It is important that their sizes are properly included within your design plans and that any installation specifications are accounted for. Added ductwork for vent hoods, additional water lines for ice making refrigerators and dishwashers, and new gas lines or electrical for cooktops and ovens must all be considered and planned for.
Select Types of Lighting
The rule of thumb when choosing lighting for a kitchen space is to remember the three layers of light: ambient, task, and accent. A combination of all three sources creates a warm, welcoming space, as well as provides necessary illumination. Selecting the type of lighting you want and where you want it BEFORE construction begins is important so that electrical wiring is installed in the correct places. Our article on Kitchen Lighting Ideas provides more insight on how to choose the right fixtures for your space.
Consider Working with a Designer
When building or remodeling a kitchen, you want to ensure proper flow, function, storage, organization, and of course style. With so many elements to consider, creating your dream kitchen can be overwhelming. While there are great online tools you can use to design a kitchen by yourself, you really want the assistance of a designer because a single mistake could turn into years of regret. A kitchen designer will help make sure your kitchen is functional, safe and suits you and your family’s needs and style.
At K&B Home Solutions, we are not just a builder; we are a full-service design build firm. Our experienced team, which includes an in-house designer, helps you with every aspect of your kitchen design – from layout and appliance selection to cabinets and countertops to lighting and switch plates. Think of us as your Construction Concierge!
If you live in the Bergen County, New Jersey area and are considering a kitchen remodel or a new home build, call us to learn more about our services.