10 Things to Consider When You Plan a Kitchen Renovation
While a good portion of Americans spend a lot of time in front of the television in their living rooms, the kitchen is increasingly becoming the focal point in a house. According to a survey by Ranker, a leading digital media company for opinion-based rankings, the most votes for “best room” in the house went for the kitchen, followed by the living room, bedroom, bathroom and game room, respectively. It makes complete sense that renovating the kitchen is among the top renovation projects homeowners are focusing on today.
What should you consider as you plan your kitchen renovation?
- Know your lifestyle
Your kitchen needs to accommodate the way you cook, the way you choose to lounge, and how your family will use it to entertain themselves.
- Infrastructure
If you live in an older home and plan to do extensive renovating, you could run into electrical and plumbing issues. Are there load-bearing walls that will be taken out? Make sure you consult a professional that can help you design your kitchen in a way that avoids costly challenges.
- Layout
Make sure you can move easily in the new space. For instance, moving from the stovetop to the sink is important to most cooks. Will your new layout accommodate more than one person while you’re in the cooking process? Will the layout accommodate your workflow and cooking routine?
- Budget
Some renovation experts recommend budgeting around six to 10 percent of the value of your home toward your kitchen renovation project, because you’re most likely to see a return on investment if you ever decide to sell your home.
- Electric or gas?
This is often a cooking preference – some people love their gas ranges. If there is no gas line currently running to where you kitchen is or will be, you’ll need to factor the cost of installing one into your budget. Others prefer newer technology, such as the induction stovetops, which are electric.
- Countertops
Granite is known to keep its beauty for years, but does it fit your budget? Lower end materials are less costly, but will wear fast, which could amount to more cost over time. Talk to a professional about other materials that will fit your budget.
- Lighting
Versatility, functionality, warmth and aesthetics all go into this decision. Your kitchen will be used for more than just cooking and eating, so make sure your lighting choices are flexible enough to accommodate these different uses.
- Windows
Natural light not only helps you save on energy bills, it offers a natural warmth that light fixtures cannot achieve. Adding a skylight will necessitate re-roofing part of your home, so take that into consideration. Adding a window takes less cost and effort.
- Appliances
If you have a brand you trust that’s in your budget, a real estate agent will recommend you choose the same brand for every appliance in the kitchen (resale value goes up). Today’s vendors are making many energy-efficient appliances that can suit your lifestyle, so consider that option as well.
- Renovate or add on?
Some homeowners find that adding a kitchen on to the house is a better option. While this is more often than not quite a bit more costly than renovating an existing kitchen, it does have its advantages, including freeing up more space in the home for other renovations.
A kitchen renovation is a big project, which is why it’s important to bring in a trusted design and build contractor to assist you. At New Concept 180, we have creative professionals on our team that will help you design and remodeling your kitchen. We also have a construction crew (not subcontractors) that will fulfill every wish in your design. Contact us today and let’s talk about your kitchen renovation.
