Successful Kitchen Renovation Tips

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home and still remains so today. Kitchens are the number one choice for rooms to be renovated. In order for a successful kitchen renovation, you must be prepared when the project begins. With a bit of creativity and imagination and guidance from professionals, when needed, your dream kitchen renovation will come off without a hitch.

Before you begin your dream kitchen renovation, there are a few things you should know in order to prevent unnecessary stress and frustration. Here are a few tips to give help you make that dream kitchen a reality.

· Save time and money by choosing do-it-yourself projects that you know you can complete successfully.

· If you doubt your ability to complete a project successfully, hire a professional. This will save you time and money in the long run.

· Renovation plans change. Be sure to have a backup plan to prevent the renovation project from continuing for months.

Budget

· Make a firm renovation budget and stick to it. Whatever your budget, add fifteen percent for unforeseen repairs and materials. Renovations almost always cost more that what is budgeted. You may need extra time and materials to complete the project or you may decide that you'd like a marble countertop instead of laminate. There are many scenarios that would take extra money to complete the renovation.

· If you must hire a contractor to do a portion of the work, ask for references and photos of work that he has completed. Check his references and ask him to produce his business license and his insurance certificate. If he cannot produce these things, keep looking for the perfect contractor for the job.

Products and Materials

· Always choose products and materials that are of high quality. Purchasing low-end materials for the job may come back to haunt you a few years down the road. Research products you wish to use. There are times when a lower cost item may be of superior quality.

· When you decide you're going to renovate, start a renovation folder. Make notes in a renovation journal and be sure to include a wish list. This is the place to keep track of all of your ideas and to make note of your color scheme and floor plan. As you make decisions, make note of them in the renovation journal and keep it in the renovation file where it can be easily accessed. Include pictures from magazines for ideas of what you wish to incorporate into your kitchen. Be sure to include notes on about lighting, fixtures and taps. Do you want a gooseneck faucet? Are you planning on installing a kitchen island? All of your ideas should be kept in the renovation file.

Appliances

· Stoves come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Refrigerators come in different colors, heights and widths. Choose large appliances in a neutral color. This will save you money if you ever decide to change the color scheme of your kitchen.

· If you are purchasing new appliances that have to fit within a specific space, be sure to take the measurements when you go shopping. Guessing will not suffice. When your new appliances come into your newly renovated kitchen, you want to ensure that they will fit into the allotted space.

· Do not buy a refrigerator that has an ice dispenser unless you already have the appropriate plumbing or plan to install it. Refrigerators with ice dispensers need special plumbing.

· If your new refrigerator and/or stove will set beside your counter, be certain the depth of the appliance is correct. Otherwise, your new appliances may be deeper than the counter, which will distract from the beauty of your newly renovated kitchen.

· Small appliances, such as blenders, coffeemakers, toasters and can openers come in black, white, stainless and a variety of other colors. Keep in mind that neutral colors are best. You wouldn't want to have red appliances if, in the future, you decide to paint your kitchen green.

Kitchen Islands

· If space permits, a kitchen island is a great idea. Families congregate in the kitchen and an island provides and inviting place to gather. If you decide to install a kitchen island, choose one that provides as much storage as possible. Some kitchen islands include cupboards and drawers below the countertop. Others provide a cooking top or sink.

· If your kitchen island will have a cook top, install it six inches higher than the eating counter. This acts as a barrier between the eating area and cooking utensils, pots and pans and allows a space for people to gather to chat with the cook.

Flooring

· Be sure to choose a sturdy floor that will be comfortable to stand on when working in the kitchen. Ceramic, porcelain and stone looks wonderful on a floor and are extremely durable. However, they are hard on the legs and feet if you are standing on them for hours cooking a huge family meal.

· Choose wooden flooring that has give. It is durable and comes in a wide range of colors. A popular, modern flooring is cork, which is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Cork is extremely comfortable and is being chosen by consumers for durability and ease on the feet and legs.

Counters

· The counter you choose for your newly renovated kitchen is the landscape of the room. Counters are available in many materials, patterns and colors. Marble, fireslate, butcher block, concrete, acrylic and stainless steel are just some of the choices. In fact there are so many types of counters that you may become overwhelmed when attempting to decide what would look best. Be sure to choose a counter that will compliment your color scheme, yet be neutral enough to compliment a wide variety of color schemes. The counter will be in your kitchen for years, so be sure it is one that you can truly live with.

Ventilation

· It is imperative that your newly renovated kitchen is properly ventilated. The cook top must be vented and you must choose whether to choose a hood or an inconspicuous downdraft.

· Be sure to make choices about your ventilation system before kitchen renovations begin. Any decision or ideas should be recorded in your renovation journal.

· If you choose to hire a contractor, be sure he is aware of the type of ventilation system you wish to have before the project begins. This will aid him in assuring that the ventilation system is properly installed.

In order to renovate your kitchen successfully, have money set aside for mistakes and unexpected expenditures. Be creative, plan extensively before the project begins and remember to have lots of patience in order to save energy, time and money. Once your kitchen renovations are complete, you'll be amazed at the beauty of the room. Do-it-yourself projects can be very rewarding if proper planning is implemented before the work begins. Enjoy your beautiful, new kitchen and spend many hours at the heart of your home.