Are you contemplating a kitchen remodel?
While the kitchen remodeling process can be daunting, some expert advice will help you set your budget and make the best choices for you and your family.
Are you planning to stay in your home for the foreseeable future? Home builder insiders say spend a little more to get a kitchen that works for you and your family. You’ll enjoy it for years to come.
If you’re planning to sell your home within the next five years, only spend as much as you think you can make back when you sell the home. The average kitchen remodel update in 2023 is between $15,000 and $40,000.
Remodeling a kitchen is an exciting endeavor but there are some important things to take into consideration before taking on this type of project. Keep reading to learn six things about remodeling a kitchen in Gig Harbor before you get started.
1. Consider Trends
When remodeling your kitchen, you have to decide if you want your design to be timeless or if you want to go with the latest remodeling trends. If you’re unsure of what will give you the most return on your investment, get an expert opinion.
How do you make choices that you won’t regret in 5 years? A designer or contractor can recommend trends that have staying power. They have experience in this space and can predict which of your choices will stick around for years to come.
You don’t want to make the mistake of going with super trendy choices only to regret it in a couple of years.
2. Plan Adequate Storage
If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, remember that your choices of functionality will impact your everyday life. More important than how it looks, is how it works for you.
Take a lot of time considering how much storage you’ll need. What kind of kitchen supplies do you need to house? Do you need big, deep drawers for your cookware?
Do you have a lot of platters and other items used for entertaining? Do you want to put things like a mixer, toaster, or air fryer in a cabinet rather than leave it on the counter?
Do you need a large pantry to stock up or are you a more frequent shopper? Do you store pet food and treats in your kitchen? Do you need space for lunch boxes?
Think about all your storage needs before making your final cabinetry choices.
3. Bring Samples Home
Look at pictures on the internet and in magazines to get an idea of what you want in your new kitchen. Create a vision board with different design aspects before going to home improvement stores or design studios.
When you go into a kitchen showroom, you might think that everything looks amazing and you may be attracted to things that may not work in your home.
Showrooms have great lighting and put together the best materials. Things can look much different in the showroom than they will in your home.
You do not want to commit to any major design element like kitchen countertops, flooring, tile, or kitchen cabinet design until you see samples of them in your home.
Take home samples of materials and let them live in your home for some time. Observe them in different lighting throughout the day. Get the opinion of your contractor or designer as they have the expertise you need to help you with your decision-making.
4. Don’t Waste Space
Whether you have a large kitchen or a small one, you want to use the space so that it works well for you. When you’re using your kitchen as it was intended, you want a compact work core.
This will eliminate dead space in the room and will help you to work most efficiently during meal prep.
Consider other areas of the kitchen like the dining area and homework or workspace for you and your kids. Do you have the perfect spot for a breakfast nook? Can a large island serve as a dining area and homework space?
5. Set Your Budget
Just as with any home project, the budget for a kitchen remodel can get out of hand quickly. You can expect to spend between 5 and 15% of your total home value on your kitchen renovation.
Make a list of your must-haves. Which upgrades will make the project worthwhile?
Decide if there are any aspects of the renovation you can do yourself to make it more affordable. But be prepared to go over budget as most renovations do while at the same time trying to stick to it.
6. You’ll Need to Become a Contractor of Sorts
When planning a remodel of this scale, you as the homeowner need to become a contractor of sorts. A kitchen is a complex remodel. There are appliances, cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, flooring, lighting, etc.
Communication with your contractor is key to a successful remodel. Staying organized and on top of what is happening and when will relieve some of the stress involved with a remodel.
Try to stick with the plan but be flexible enough to adjust when necessary.
Remodeling a Kitchen
Now that you’ve learned some important things to consider before remodeling a kitchen, you’ll have a list of preferences, materials you like, storage needs, and specifications.
It’s important to think through all your choices so you’ll be satisfied with the updated version of the center of your home.
Now it’s time to choose your partner in this venture. We at Higgason Construction offer a wide range of home improvement services. Our team will help you with your kitchen remodeling project every step of the way.
We are located in Sammamish, Washington, and serve the surrounding areas. Contact us today for all your home remodeling needs.