The kitchen has a special place in most homeowners’ hearts and is one of the most important rooms in the house if you’re trying to build value. While kitchen renovations can be accessible to some, there are still many challenges a lot of people may not be aware of about this type of work. This is why you have to be thoroughly prepared before you tackle the job. Here are some of the things people won’t tell you about renovating your kitchen.
Design is everything!
A well-thought-out kitchen layout maximises efficiency by ensuring that essential elements like storage, appliances, and work surfaces are strategically placed to enhance workflow. Beyond practicality, the kitchen’s aesthetic plays a significant role in setting the tone for the entire home, reflecting personal taste and ensuring it meets the requirements of the whole family. Using an online kitchen design kitchen design tool can make the process even easier, allowing homeowners to visualize layouts, experiment with styles, and customise features to suit their needs—all from the comfort of their home.
You’ll Have to Make Do without a Kitchen for a While
You also have to get prepared for a life without a kitchen during the renovations. This is why it’s essential that you plan correctly. Make sure that you have a clear timeline of contractor deadlines, and arrange a backup kitchen space so you’ll be able to still make semi-decent home-cooked meals instead of spending tons of money on overpriced takeout the whole time. For further advice on how to plan your ideal renovation, the Kitchens Manchester team are all experts so get in touch!
Some Things Might Seem Simple, but They Really Aren’t
There are also some elements in your kitchen that might seem easy to install on your own but can get tricky. Adding light fixtures can be difficult if you don’t understand voltage and power safety. Even something like repainting cabinets can be tougher than it seems.
The kitchen is a unique environment, and elements in it have to face very different conditions than in other parts of the house. Cabinets have to be cleaned with a special degreasing agent, sanded, treated, then painted. And don’t expect to get professional results with rollers or a brush. To get nice looking cabinets, you’ll need to learn how to use a spray gun as it will be the only method that will give you that perfect finish. So, don’t assume that you can do anything on your own before you inform yourself.
Functionality Needs to be a Priority
Some kitchen models might look great on Pinterest, but are they really functional for you? Do you really need that professional stainless-steel hood in your kitchen, and do you even have space? Do you know if your duct system would even allow it? What about countertops? Marble and soapstone might be nice, but they require a lot of maintenance and might not always look their best, not to mention the fact that they could be well out of your reach and completely blow your kitchen’s budget.
Why not invest in things that would actually make the kitchen more comfortable to work in, like better countertop lighting, appliances, and storage? Not only will they actually make the kitchen better, but they are often much less expensive than purely aesthetic additions.
Another thing you could think about is installing a double-bowl sink. A lot of people will go for a single bowl sink for space, but a double-bowl sink can make a world of difference. If you like to hand wash dishes, having a double-bowl is much more convenient. If you like to cook, you could clean your vegetables on one side and use the other for draining. Or, you could leave one side empty so you can always have access to your garbage disposal. It’s small changes like this that will make your kitchen much more convenient and fun to cook in.
Renovating your own kitchen can be a great project and one that can be done if you have what it takes. However, it does demand preparation and planning, so make sure that you know exactly what you’re getting into before you start.
Collaborative post. Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash