Are you ready to take on the challenge of a kitchen remodel? While planning a renovation in this important room of the home is exciting, it can quickly become more than a little overwhelming. The first thing that you need to do is start getting clear about your “must haves” vs. your “wants” to ensure that you stay focused on your goals for a newly remodeled kitchen.
The key to a stress-free kitchen remodel is compromising both with the ultimate fixtures you choose and with your budget. Whether you are going for a luxury kitchen remodel that tears the room down to the studs or simple updates that are cost-effective and high-impact, there are few things you have to consider when narrowing down all of the options that are available.
Above all, the kitchen is a functional room of the home. However, functionality can mean something different for every household! While some families might cook meals from scratch every day, others live on take-out and fine dining, and having a clear picture of how you are going to use the space can give you a better plan for moving forward with a remodel.
When looking at the usability factor in the kitchen, most spaces fall into one of two categories:
Everyday Use: If you have kids, spend a lot of time baking and cooking, or gather in the kitchen with your family every day, you will want to look at features that meet those needs. That means focusing on an efficient layout, large appliances, and flexible cooking and prep areas when designing your dream kitchen.
Entertaining & Events: If the kitchen in your home serves more as a showpiece than an everyday space, your remodeling needs will be different. Kitchens designed for entertaining and events tend to be spacious, with high-end features, luxury accents, and extra seating that makes it comfortable for a crowd.
YOUR REMODELING BUDGET AND TIMELINE
In the ideal world, you could create your dream kitchen without even thinking about your budget? but that isn’t the reality for the majority of homeowners. Remodeling the kitchen can quickly become very expensive, and it is easy to get carried away when putting together your vision for space. Instead of getting lost in the world of overpriced kitchen gadgets and expensive touches, consider the cost of the upgrade vs. the value that you will get from the addition. The results of this comparison will be different for every homeowner, but you can start by asking yourself the following questions:
Will investing in this improve my everyday life?
Will this product help solve common pet peeves in the space?
Will this upgrade make my house feel more like a home?
What is the return on investment for moving forward with this purchase?