Is the flooring in your kitchen stained and cracked? Are the countertops marred with burns and nicks? Is the floor plan of your kitchen awkward and ill-designed? If so, it is time to consider kitchen remodeling. Updating your kitchen can enhance your entire house’s value, and kitchen remodeling can be an exciting process that calls upon your creativity. You may need a little bit of patience as you live through the kitchen remodeling process, but the result will be a kitchen you love and are proud to share with family and friends.
Kitchen remodeling runs the gamut from small upgrades to a full-scale luxury remodeling venture. Small upgrades could include changing the hardware on your cabinets, refacing the cabinets, or replacing them. Or perhaps you might want to replace that scuffed floor or resurface your countertops. Such simple changes can make an enormous difference in your space. However, a full-scale kitchen remodel is going to result in the most satisfying changes for your home.
Start your kitchen remodeling by making extensive notes about what you want. Think about what works and doesn’t work in your current kitchen. Look through magazines or scan the internet for kitchen remodeling ideas. You might want to make a file of designs and products you like. Don’t hold back at this point-make a note of everything you might want to include in your kitchen remodeling. Next, draw up a budget. This is when you match your beautiful ideas to what you can afford. You might be surprised how much you can get for your money or the compromises you can make that will still afford you an elegant, functional design. At this point, you may also want to contract the services of a designer or space planner. They can be enormously helpful with your kitchen remodel and point out products and design ideas that might not have occurred to you.
One of the most important decisions you will make is hiring a contractor, so take your time and research. Visit home improvement stores or local remodelers to get a feel for what kind of kitchen remodeling projects they specialize in. Share your vision with the professionals you are considering. Take the time to check references. Pay attention to whether or not you feel comfortable with the contractor. Does he or she listen to your ideas and respect what you are creating? A contractor-client relationship for a kitchen remodeling is like a short-term marriage, so make certain yours will be a happy one!
Finally, prepare yourself and your family for the disruption that occurs with a kitchen remodeling project. With planning, this can be minimized, but some are inevitable. Discuss the time frame with your contractor and share this information with your family, so everyone knows how long the construction will take and what to expect. In a short time, all memories of any uproar with the kitchen remodeling will be forgotten, and you’ll be enjoying your new kitchen.
