Important Considerations When Redesigning Your Kitchen

Remodeling a kitchen is often a big undertaking for any homeowners that requires careful planning. While there’s a lot of fun to be had sourcing ideas and inspiration online, collecting samples, and even making your own Pinterest board, it’s also important to consider the larger picture when planning your redesign journey.

Here are five important considerations to keep in mind when you decide to redesign your kitchen.

How to Redo a Kitchen on a Budget

Before you begin any part of your kitchen’s redesign, it’s most important to work out what your budget will be for the project. Redesigning and remodelling can get expensive, and establishing a budget, while daunting, is paramount to the success of your project. Consider how much you and your family feel comfortable spending on this undertaking to determine how big of a redesign you can undertake. You can consider enlisting the help of a local neighbourhood realtor for advice on the added value your kitchen remodel will have on your home, which can be useful if you plan on selling or renting out your space in the near future. The same sources you used to gather inspiration for your redesign can also often be used for budgeting tips and outlining the average costs of the various stages of the project. Finally, ensure you shop wisely when the time comes to invest in new appliances, countertops, cabinets, and anything else your new kitchen needs. Decide on the features that are must-haves and those that are nice-to-have, and rank them in order of importance. This will serve as your guide for creating your budget. 

Layout and How to Remodel a Kitchen

Regardless of the scope of your kitchen redesign project, it stands to reason that sticking to your kitchen’s current layout will help keep costs low and the project simple. This largely refers to keeping major systems in place, such as plumbing, gas and electricity. While this means certain major appliances will likely be kept in the same places (including your refrigerators and sink), you can get creative with the layout of other major kitchen features, such as your cabinets, other accessories and smaller appliances. Of course, depending upon the age of your home and your kitchen, you may need to budget for the installation of additional water lines if you plan on including another sink, a dishwasher or an ice maker, and perhaps updating your current wiring to ensure it’s up to code. 

How to Renovate Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets are essential to any kitchen and should be kept top-of-mind when redesigning your new space. Any cabinets, especially custom-made cabinets, will likely be one of the more costly components of your new kitchen, meaning you should budget accordingly. Look through your favourite home magazines, websites or design platforms and keep a bank of images you like. You can even design a Pinterest board or keep an Instagram page dedicated to your favourite kitchen styles and cabinets, which will make it easier to identify what trends and finishes you’re attracted to. When it comes to choosing pre-fabricated or kitchen custom cabinets, consider mixing solid kitchen cabinet doors with glass doors and open shelves. Including a variety of styles keeps things visually interesting and provides choice when it comes to styling your kitchen. Consider installing your cabinets at different heights to further enhance this visual interest, and even consider having your upper and lower cabinets in different colors. There’s no shortage of creative ideas when it comes to your kitchen cabinets, all of which can more easily be realized if you opt for custom-made cabinets. 

Appliances and Redesigning Your Kitchen

Appliances are another large-ticket item to consider and budget for during your kitchen redesign. There are also a number of logistical considerations to keep in mind when shopping for your new appliances. For example, if you love the idea of a large commercial range, you should know that the weight of this appliance (or any other larger appliances) may require additional construction to brace the floor beneath where it will sit. Additionally, hoods come with installation specifications for a certain size vent duct. If your home is older, you may need to tear out part of your wall or ceiling in order to re-route or upgrade your ducts. It’s important to consult the experts when it comes to making these kinds of choices. In order to help you budget, make a list of appliances features you feel are must-haves and nice-to-haves for your family and prioritize your list of new appliances accordingly. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, remember to measure the size of the space you’re working with to ensure your new appliances fit within your space properly. 

Lighting and Making the Most of Your Space

Great lighting can make a world of difference in any room of your home, but especially within your kitchen. If your kitchen only has a small window and a few small ceiling lights, like many older homes, then you may consider including a small renovation to replace your old windows with larger ones or even a larger door to allow in more natural light, if your budget and structural integrity of your home allows. When focusing on choosing light fixtures for your kitchen, consider layering your light. Include a mixture of recessed lighting, LED under-cabinet lights, pendant fixtures and even a chandelier to create an interesting and dramatic effect. If you opt for glass-front cabinets, you can consider installing mini spotlights to highlight certain pieces of glassware. You can also consider installing dimmer switches on all of your kitchen lighting to control the amount of light throughout the day. Remember to place light switches and outlets in convenient locations and ensure they’re up to code.

Undoubtedly, a redesign of any room of your home, whether kitchen and bath remodeling, living room or dining room refresh, or a bedroom upgrade, is a big undertaking that requires careful planning of your budget and layout. While the number of choices for appliances, cabinetry and lighting seem endless, a little organization and research on your end can help make the process a lot more seamless.