When it comes to kitchen remodeling, there’s so much to get excited about! You can experiment with a kitchen island, choose checkered flooring, add quirky backsplashes, tear down walls—the world is your oyster!
Given the multiple moving parts involved in the process, you can easily miss out on important functional details as you get engrossed in the project. Going with a reliable kitchen remodeling company is a sure-footed way to approach this project.
In this advanced guide, we’re spilling the beans on how to remodel your kitchen right with 14 expert-approved tips. You’re welcome!
14 Kitchen Remodeling Tips Worth Their Weight in Gold
They say, “kitchens sell homes”—a time-tested adage that rings true for every decade. But remodeling your kitchen is a complex, layered process that needs fair bit of planning and conceptualization.
Here are ten kitchen remodeling tips to refresh your home:
Tip #1: Plan Your Kitchen’s Purpose
When planning your kitchen remodel, it’s essential to clarify its purpose and envision how it will enhance your family’s lifestyle.
Consider the following questions to define your kitchen’s end goal:
- How will your family’s life be impacted by the new kitchen design?
- Do you envision using the kitchen as a space to facilitate quality family time?
- Will it serve as a hub for cooking meals together and entertaining guests?
- What specific activities and functions do you want your kitchen to accommodate?
Your remodeled kitchen should meet your vision and end goals—it’s not just about how beautiful your kitchen should look (though that is a big bonus).
Tip #2: Be Realistic about Everything
Okay, this may seem like an obvious pearl of wisdom, but hear us out. How many times have you regretted buying a new appliance but failed to maintain it? Or maybe you could have gone on without tearing your wall down and creating a dent in your pocket.
When it comes to kitchen remodeling, being realistic about what’s possible is key –
- Make sure you stick to your budget and always have 15-20% of funds stacked away for contingency
- Be practical about the decorative elements, layout, and kitchen appliances needed
- Keep upkeep in mind for all your new additions, including decorative figures, tile finishes, etc.
Tip #3: Do Your Research
Another area that often gets ignored is research. From your flooring and countertops to the cabinetry and lighting, every element must be thoughtfully conceived. Rushing the decision will only make matters worse.
Do your research online for aesthetics and cheaper alternatives, but make sure to visit stores to understand the look and feel of the material in question.
Tip #4: Buy Appliances before Your Cabinetry Is Complete
Most people go the opposite route—a big mistake. Say you’ve bought all your kitchen appliances on sale. When you go to install the item, you realize it’s two inches too big on the sides.
Kitchen remodeling is all about measurements. One small mistake can cost hundreds of dollars. Our suggestion?
Go appliance shopping before your cabinetry work begins. This way, you’ll be able to account for appliances’ odd-size specifications and thoroughly understand how to integrate them into your storage and cabinets.
Tip #5: Pick Hardware Once Your Appliances Are in the Kitchen
You see, kitchen remodeling is a multi-part process, with every step being interdependent on another. You started with the layout and planning, then moved on to buying your appliances, and having your cabinets installed.
Your next move should be to buy the hardware and materials that complement your appliances—be it your cute-looking SMEG fridge or your state-of-the-art coffee machine.
Your stove, oven, fridge, etc. all play an important role in setting the aesthetic tone for your kitchen, no matter how small the space. So pair your appliances with your hardware, and see your kitchen shine – literally!
Tip #6: Install Cabinets and Then Work on Your Flooring
As you might have understood by now, effective kitchen remodeling is all about getting the order of the work right.
Professional designers recommend installing your cabinets and then diving into your flooring. The logic is that if your cabinets are installed on a newly-set hardware floor, your floor might lose its ability to expand and contract. This can result in peaking or cupping. Imagine repairing your floor without damaging the cabinets in this case—it sounds impossible, right?
So, if you don’t want your floors to get dented, scratched, or marked, install the cabinets first and then go for your flooring.
Tip #7: Pick Your Contractor’s Brains on the Kind of Flooring to Install
We all love hardwood floors but we seldom give enough thought to the quality of the wood. We recommend using a factory-finished, sealed hardwood floor. It’s also important to go for a textured finish (read: distressed, reclaimed, etc.) to help you create friction and cover wear and tear.
As a best practice, you must add rugs in front of your fridge, stove, dishwasher, and so on to prevent accidents and add a soft look to your kitchen’s style.
Tip #8: Shoot for the Famous Chef’s Triangle
Your kitchen should feel intuitive for anyone who is cooking—meaning that the fridge, sink, and stove should be at equal distance from each other if space allows. If these elements are too far away from one another, you’ll be shuffling back and forth, and getting less work done in less time.
In most designs on Pinterest, you’ll see the kitchen island with an inbuilt sink as the focal point of this triangle. This idea may be common, but it works wonders.
Tip #9: Get Your Kitchen Rewired Properly
When redesigning your kitchen, avoid a common safety error: connecting all kitchen outlets to 15-amp breakers. Ideally, you should have all kitchen counter outlets on at least 2-3 dedicated 20-amp circuits.
Additionally, these outlets should be protected by Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent electrical fires and injuries. If all this seems too technical, it’s because it is. Don’t try and handle this yourself to save money, get a kitchen contractor on board who will take all the necessary long-term safety precautions and rewire your kitchen correctly.
Tip #10: Plan Your Deliveries Properly
Your kitchen renovation will likely happen in parts. So, as and when you order items online, account for how and where you’ll store them. You don’t want to wait for items to arrive, which can delay the process.
Pro tip: Consider using a spare room/garage or renting a storage unit temporarily to ensure your renovation stays on track.
Tip #11: Don’t Underestimate Your Storage Needs
Your kitchen will always be full of stuff—be it large pots, air fryers, pans, cutlery, blenders, kettles, gourmet coffee machines, and the list goes on.
Get as much storage as you can—under your kitchen island, next to the fridge with vertical cabinets, near the stove with pull-out shelves and drawers, and more. Remember that keeping your kitchen organized and functional starts with strategic storage.
Tip #12: Add a Neutral Paint to Your Kitchen Walls
Want to make your kitchen look bright and new instantly? Go for neutral colors like white, beige, or light gray. These colors can make the space look bigger and more inviting.
Additionally, neutral walls provide a versatile backdrop that allows you to easily change the look of your kitchen with quirky accessories and bold accents. If you want more proof, know that neutral colors tend to appeal to a wider range of potential buyers if you ever decide to sell your home!
Tip #13: Revisit Your Lighting Fixtures
Traditional lighting fixtures can make your kitchen look dated. To transform your space into a modern and functional area, explore options like task lights, ambient lighting, ceiling fixtures, and under-cabinet lighting.
Tip #14: Choose a Seasoned Kitchen Renovation Contractor
While undertaking the kitchen remodeling project on your own can seem exciting at first, the amount of planning, working, and reworking can take a toll on your motivation.
A kitchen renovation company will literally take over all the fussy grunt work so that you don’t have to lift a finger. All you need to do is get your ideas, and the contractor will help you turn them into reality.
Make sure you choose a contractor with solid experience, good reviews, and proper licensing and insurance. This way, you can feel confident that the contractor has the skills and credentials necessary to handle your kitchen remodeling project professionally and safely.
NYCO Renovations—The Best Kitchen Renovation Company to Revamp Your Kitchen Space
Finding the right kitchen renovation contractor can be overwhelming. Rather than simply relying on a generic search, consider adding NYCO Renovations to your list.
Considered among the most reliable and cost-effective kitchen renovation companies, we believe in delivering functionally useful and aesthetically on-point kitchen spaces.
We understand that upgrading your kitchen instantly boosts your home’s value—every suggestion, insight, and advice we offer stems from this absolute truth. If you are looking to improve your kitchen utility, partner with us.
You get your ideas, and we’ll bring our expertise, skills, and energy to the table. So partner with us and transform your kitchen dreams into reality!
