One of the trickiest spaces at home to renovate is the kitchen, perhaps because of the specifications of the appliances, and the intricacies of measurements, colors, sizes, shapes, functions, and spaces involved, among many others.
While there are some who execute their kitchen renovations fairly well, there are still the unlucky few, whose efforts and money have gone to waste because they didn’t think ahead and didn’t do any research on having their kitchen renovation.
However, you can break this chain of careless and thoughtless execution and be steps ahead of everyone if you swear by these useful and practical tips on renovating your kitchen.
Assess your workers.
Ultimately, your vision is what should be followed. Your workers should be able to use their expertise for your ideas and goals to materialize. If your usual contacts for handiwork and technicals have done a satisfactory job for you in the past, then you’re good to go. However, some people feel stuck with whoever is available to get the job done. Most of those who settled for less just ended up getting disappointing results.
You have to bear in mind that you are not stuck with underperforming workers forever. You are absolutely free to explore your options as you please. Don’t feel awkward or ashamed for putting the project to a halt or politely getting your current workers out of the picture if you feel your vision is not coming to fruition the way you want it. There are many people willing to put in work for your renovation plan and will follow your ideas and goals while they’re at it. So choose the best workers and don’t settle for less.
Go for consistency.
It’s better when you replace your broken kitchen appliances like your rice cooker, food processor, kitchen mixer, and oven with those of the same colorway. You don’t want a bright orange air fryer next to light pink spatulas and a red blender against dark green countertop tiles; that would look very messy and inconsistent. Select items that are of a similar shade to create a clean, sleek, and consistent feel for your kitchen.
The same thing goes for design: if you want vintage looking appliances, then you can go for brands like SMEG or IGLOO. If you want more sleek and modern designs, then Japanese or Korean brands would be perfect for you. If you want heavy duty kitchen staples, then invest in brands like Whirlpool or Russell Hobbs. Having similar looking appliances not only make your kitchen look more organized, but also helps with warranty issues, especially if you get items from the same brand. This way, you don’t have to stress over contacting different companies to have your appliances fixed in the event that they go through a functionality hiccup.
Have a little dry run.
As much as possible, try things on for size, even just on a small portion of the kitchen. Ask your workers to give you a needed preview to feel things out: for instance, ask them to put a sample kitchen tile on the wall to have an idea on how it would actually look like. This way, you don’t have to scrape off the tiles if they don’t look right on the first try. The same thing goes to painting and buying appliances. Take a picture of the spot in your kitchen where you want to paint on or put a new appliance on, and figure out if they are a good match with your prospective purchase (when you go out of the house and look for your needed product).
Directly communicate with your workers about whether or not they should continue their tile or paint jobs, and while you’re at it, take photographs or videos of their work to take account of details that they need to work on, or in a worst case scenario, major damages that have to be fixed on their part. This is to ensure accountability and responsibility on the workers’ end, and that you get what you pay for. If you have changes in mind that you feel are needed for your kitchen’s usability and functionality, then go ahead and make those changes happen.
Pay attention to specs.
Mind the specific numbers: measurements of cabinets, cupboards, countertops, and other pieces of furniture, as well as voltages of kitchen appliances, functionality of kitchenware, and usage of space. If these specifications slip past your scrutiny, it can cause unnecessary stress on your end, so don’t ignore the little details. For example, use precise measurements and don’t rely on estimates when buying a product for a certain area in your kitchen. You don’t want an ill-fitting cabinet that takes up too much space in your kitchen.
If you’re getting new appliances, especially those from other countries, make sure that the voltage matches with your outlets at home; get an adapter if needed and buy a durable one from a reliable store. Meanwhile, when it comes to functionality, be careful when you are presented with nicely packaged/painted equipment or fixtures for the kitchen. Only get what you really need and what is functional for your personal use. Especially if you live alone, you will be the only one using your kitchen most of the time. Make sure that you are comfortable in your cooking, baking, and washing spaces.
Follow your hunch.
Trusting your gut feel also applies to renovations. If you feel that your workers did not pay your wall plastering or pipe valves the attention that they deserve, then inspect these modifications and observe while you still have your workers with you.
If you detect problems, don’t hold back from speaking up and telling your workers about it. Just be nice and respectful when you break it to them. You deserve a beautiful kitchen renovation, so let your hunch play its part in “reading” how your workers are going about fixing and/or beautifying your target area. It’s not being overly controlling or micromanaging — following your instinct only means that you know what you want and you won’t stop until you get your expected results.
Think of the future.
What kind of space do you live in? If you are living in a permanent place of residence, then it’s perfectly fine to invest in appliances, furnishings, and other methods of renovation. However, if you are planning to move out someday, like if you are in your parents’ place or in an apartment, then consider only buying what you need for your kitchen. Moreover, if you’re planning to sell your place in the future, then don’t commit too much to your kitchen, because the next owner might not exactly like the way you designed yours.
Something’s cooking...
...and it’s not food! What ideas have you cooked up for your kitchen renovation? Do you have a definite colorway to follow? What tweaks to the kitchen design do you have in mind? What big changes will be taking place in the kitchen?
We all know that planning and executing a renovation, let alone a kitchen renovation, is not a walk in the park. However, the tips on this list can make your journey more enjoyable, especially if they are done right. For more general tips on planning a renovation, click here. You can also check out tips on how to do your living room renovations.
Godspeed on your kitchen renovation!
Sources:
Strauss, A. (2020, March 11). How to Renovate Your Kitchen and Not End Up in Tears. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/style/kitchen-renovation-tips.html
Wallender, L. (2020, August 15). Basic Steps of Kitchen Remodeling. The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/ steps-to-a-kitchen -remodel-1822229