So you’ve undertaken the harrowing process of your kitchen remodeling project? Great. Nothing gives a home quite the same sort of facelift-ed feeling as a brand new kitchen. It’s a long, vexing process, but it’s worth it.
Here are 4 tips to help you come out of the kitchen remodeling process satisfied and sane.
Begin with a Definite End in Mind
Stephen Covey’s advice on beginning with the end in mind is applicable to all parts of life, but let me presume to improve upon it, at least a little, in the realm of kitchen remodeling: begin with a definite end in mind. You have to know exactly what you want and know that it will all work together.
You can’t just tell whatever contractors or craftspeople you hire, “Um, I think knotty wood,” because there is a huge difference between knotty pine and knotty alder. You need to know the pros and cons of both marble and granite countertops, and use that to make an informed decision about which type of stone is best for your new kitchen countertop.
You need a picture in your mind to match with the eventual end result of the renovation in order to feel truly satisfied. Come up with a plan that takes into account how every piece—from the hanging pot rack to the flooring—looks and works together.
Pick the Right Appliances
Take the new appliances into account too. Not just the finish on them—that should be the last thing you decide, based on what finishes are even available for the piece you eventually decide is best.
By all means, be sure your appliances have the highest energy efficiency rating you can afford. But consider what you want, how you cook, and other concerns you may have depending on your situation. Do you want an in-wall oven? A separate broiler? How big do you need the range to be, and what kind do you want—a gas stove for instant, even heating or an induction cooktop for greater safety for innocent hands?
Answer these questions and factor those answers into your planning.
Buy Extras (and store them conveniently)
Once you know what you want, buy it, and in the case of certain items, buy extras. Those who saw the episode will no doubt remember that time on Full House when Jesse was forced to re-fit Danny Tanner’s cabinets because of a broken and discontinued drawer pull, making a mess of the kitchen on Danny’s Spring Cleaning day. Jesse was embarrassed (and in over his head) and Danny was furious.
Don’t get yourself into Jesse’s pickle! Buy extra drawer pulls and cabinet handles, wood stain and paint, everything not custom-made that could easily break. If your garage can’t hold the supplies—don’t fret. Many garden shed plans are perfect for storing the extras in an organized fashion, ready for the day when you break a drawer pull on the most important day of the year.
Know Your Home, Know Your Limits
Acclaimed writer Matthew Batt received high praise for the funny, heartwarming, and still heartbreaking memoir Sugarhouse; detailing the time he and his wife, in their desperation for a place of their own, bought and fixed up the neighborhood crack house. While they were eventually able to make it into a livable, comfortable dwelling, they found surprises along the way. It might have been easier for the young Batts if they hadn’t had to battle the leftovers of the previous owner’s ill-advised renovation and remodeling attempts.
Before you begin, know what’s at the base of the home and what you’ll be dealing with, because it will either limit what you can do or add to what you have to do in order to get the kitchen you want.
And while Matt and Janine had to do nearly everything themselves, they knew when to call for reinforcements and helpers—such as laying the slat tile in their kitchen, which without the expert opinion of one of their friends would have been total disaster. So know what your own abilities and limitations are, and who you’re going to call if you need help or advice.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to calmly look back on the whole experience with a smile on your face, standing in the kitchen remodeling you always wanted!
About the Author:
<a href=“https://plus.google.com/u/0/107285897557462307433/posts?rel=author”>Leslie Mason</a>is a homemaker and garden expert. When not writing for companies such as iCreatables, Leslie enjoys gardening, do-it-yourself projects, and fixing up the house.
