Planning is key when embarking on kitchen renovations, particularly when installing new cabinets. It is important to look at the big picture, gather information online and browse home decor samples before starting any project.
Don’t worry if you’re thinking about a DIY renovation of your kitchen. Our comprehensive guide will cover all the bases. You should know the following before starting to renovate your kitchen.
1. Do You Need to Renovate Your Kitchen?
Can you change the doors of your cupboards instead of removing all and starting from scratch?
There’s nothing quite as inspiring as a new kitchen to start the day. Partial renovations are a cost-effective option for a kitchen remodel if you’re on a tight budget. If you only need to replace certain things, such as the cabinets, wall, floor, windows or bench, then it may be more cost-effective to do partial renovations.
The condition of the existing joinery is important when it comes to installing cabinets. A fresh coat of paint may make a significant difference in some cases. You don’t have to spend a lot of money.
2. Select Easy Kitchen Cleansing
Make your plans for cleaning your kitchen as simple as you can. Although the wooden benches around sinks look great, how durable are they if you plan to keep them for a long time?
What are the chances that a stain will occur? To minimise the appearance on concrete benches of oil stains, ensure that they are coated with a protective layer.
Choose a sink that is flush-set, or one with an undermount, to prevent dirt from accumulating on the rim.
If you decide to go with a gloss finish, it is important that you remember that the handprints can stick on your cabinetry . Plan your layout accordingly.
3. Space Is Everything
Make sure there is ample space in the kitchen to allow people to move freely. When possible, it is best to think about how people will move after the kitchen renovation. It may be necessary to knock down some walls or expand into another room to achieve your dream kitchen. As a rule, you should keep the paths in the kitchen wide enough to be able to walk through them.
In the cooking area, a path of at least 1050 mm width should always be maintained. It is a good idea for people grazing along the roadside to be able to easily access your refrigerator.
You should open the dishwasher by stepping over half of the new kitchen.
Consider how you will open and close doors in your design. You don’t want overhead cabinets poking your eyeballs!
4. Plumbing And The Electrical Consideration
Installing new cabinets and countertops, appliances, fixtures, and other kitchen items will require you to first fix your plumbing. You’ll likely need to make a few modifications to the plumbing before you can complete your kitchen renovation. Talk to your plumber for advice.
To prepare for a kitchen remodel, you must know the plumbing issues to be addressed and which should be taken into consideration. Where should plumbing lines be placed? What about electrical points? Before you start laying a new flooring and working on the layout of your kitchen, make sure that all electrical and plumbing connections have been made. This is best done when renovating your kitchen as a plumbing upgrade can be more expensive. This will ensure that your renovation is completed without any delays.
5. Locations Of Appliances & PowerPoint Placements
Placement of electrical points must be done correctly. Before you start your kitchen renovation, it is important to think about where you want to put your appliances and which appliances you will use most often.
The washer and dryer that you intend to install in your new kitchen must comply with local codes, be able operate along side the stove and be microwaveable inside the kitchen.
Also, make sure you install a power outlet in the island bench. This is another important kitchen design element.
6. Think About Your Children
It is important to design the space in your home so that children can play and interact in a safe and fun way. You should not only be mindful of their growth, but also aware of it!
There are many ways to make your kitchen kid-friendly. For example, you can move your cooktops out of high-traffic areas. No kitchen is 100% childproof.
You should also make sure that the microwave is set at a suitable height for you. It should, for example, not be higher than 375mm above the counter to prevent scalding. They are too low and small hands can easily reach them.
7. Do You Need A Butler’s Pantry?
Butler’s Pantry is a must for anyone who hosts parties often. If you don’t already have one, you should consider whether or not you want one. They can be expensive additions, along with a fridge, sink and other appliances.
If money is an issue, it’s best to make the area multifunctional. This would be a great place for children to use computers.
It is a great place to store crafting materials, but you can also use it for organizing the rest of your house.
8. Keep Your Kitchen Functional!
There are no words that can adequately describe how important it is to keep your home’s kitchen functional and user friendly.
When you plan the layout of your kitchen, it is important to consider practical factors. For example, how much space will be needed for ovens and microwaves? Allow 375 mm on each side of the cooktop or refrigerator. This includes the distance between these two appliances. If money is an issue, it is important to do your research to create a functional and attractive kitchen.
It is best to prepare your meal near the bins and sinks, since you’ll have easy access.
9. Should You Replace Your Appliances?
If your budget is an issue, you might be able update your kitchen by simply replacing the old appliances. It’s important to do thorough research before starting your kitchen renovation to find out the cost. Also, make sure that your cabinet maker can meet your needs.
Installing kitchen cabinets correctly is important as it determines the location of your appliances. Before beginning the installation, make sure you have the space available and the appliances that are required.
You can save money by purchasing your big-ticket item all at once. It’s also more cost effective to buy the same brand for consistency.
10. Kitchen Corners Are Important
Corner cupboards are not attractive. They’re like a place where you can dump things that you’ll never use in the kitchen.
Why settle for a cluttered and inconvenient space when you could install kitchen cabinets with easy access and efficient storage. Choose a corner unit that has built-in gadgets for easy access to your items if you have to include one. Swing-out mechanisms make it easy to reach pots and saucepans in cabinets.
Corner cupboards shouldn’t bite while they are opened simultaneously. This is one of our pet hates!
11. Focus Points To Define Your Kitchen
If you’ve never designed a kitchen before, the process may seem overwhelming. Choose the focal point of the room before you begin the renovation.
- Do you intend to use it as a bench on your island?
- What would it look like if you designed a backsplash and flooring?
- Do you want to make an impact or is it more subtle?
- What kind of light would you choose if you had to pick just one?
You can base your kitchen cabinets and counter space on a specific concept.
Consider a bright colour scheme for your kitchen.
12. Arrange Your Kitchen According To The Following:
You will spend most of your cooking time in front of the stove or cooktop, especially if it is something you have made yourself. Store frequently used utensils and condiments on your stovetop to make them easily accessible.
can also be a great place to start when organising your kitchen.
- Do you think that it is possible to place a block in this area?
- Could they be attached using a magnet strip on the splashback?
Consult professionals to ensure you have sufficient storage space, and that the style of your home’s decor matches.
13. Get Your Kitchen Bins In Order
What is the best place for your bins to be stored? What is the best way to use your bins?
This question may seem basic, but it is important to ask.
If you already have a bin, can you integrate it into the cabinetry?
What are your plans if this is true?
This would be perfect for recycling and food preparation areas. A slide-out system would make it easy to remove waste.
14. Island Bench – Use It
You can’t go to a good restaurant without seeing the chefs at work in the kitchen.
If you already have a space such as this, island benches are a great addition to your home. You might consider adding one if you already own one. These items create a focal area for the area, and draw people in.
Separate the seated areas of your island from the cooking and preparation areas. A separate raised area like this would be beneficial.
15. Relocate Your Kitchen To A Central Point
If you’re designing the kitchen for your family home, make sure that it is the focal point of the house.
The addition of whiteboards, chalkboards and pin-up boards to kitchen designs is a great idea. They should be positioned above a surface that can be used to write on.
Using a pen and pad is a great way to create shopping lists and notes. If you’re a bit more tech-savvy, it may also be possible to mount Alexa, or another smart home device, in your home.
16. Consider Your Budget Before You Start.
When planning kitchen renovations, make sure you have an accurate estimate of the costs.
Set a conservative budget to ensure you have extra funds in the event that the project goes over budget. As a rule, you should add 10 to 20 percent to your renovation budget to cover unexpected costs.
A large financial cushion will come in handy if you run into financial problems. It is not a wise idea to run into financial difficulties mid-project or, worse, end up with a kitchen that’s only half finished.
You should use the highest quality materials when renovating a kitchen, but also consider your budget. The cost of quality materials can quickly add up; furniture, flooring and lighting, as well as soft-close, two-pack, paints, stone benches, windows, walls and other items.
Consider expenses like labour, materials and taxes when planning your budget for kitchen renovations. Consider carefully whether you would like to do a particular step, such as a DIY kitchen. You can hire someone to do some simple tasks, but you will save a lot of money if you build your own kitchen.
Enjoy your kitchen and bathroom renovation journey
If you want to take advantage of this extra time, you must plan your kitchen renovations properly. You must plan ahead for your renovation. Consult your designer and/or contractor about your goals and expectations for your kitchen resurfacing in brisbane. You will receive tips from them and they will ensure that your family and you will be able to move around comfortably in your new space.
Planning in advance allows you to stick to your budget, create a functional and attractive design plan and hire an experienced tradesperson who is willing to begin the demolition process right away.