Kitchen Remodeling Ideas and Tips

The kitchen is probably one of the most used rooms in an average household. It’s the heart and soul of a place. Plenty of warm and delicious memories are made in our kitchens — weekend meal preps for those hectic weeks, bulk baking for those bake sales, preparing a meal for your family (or yourself), holidays that have come and gone with the anticipation of more holidays to come. It is a happy place and a room that you would want to reflect and radiate that happiness. 

And because of the constant use of heat and appliances, the constant shuffling to and fro when achieving culinary endeavors tends to wear on the surfaces of that happy room, or maybe you saw a model kitchen that you think would fit very well in your abode, you start to think of remodeling. Kitchen remodeling could be quite an endeavor. It can be tricky whether you are a tenant or a property owner. 

When you’re renting, you’ll need to consider the contract you agreed to and the limits of what you can do when you are remodeling. As an owner, you’ll need to consider which renovations add value to a rental property. These things, plus the space, budget, individual tastes, etc. are things that need to be taken into consideration when renovating your kitchen. 

Remodeling ideas and tips

1. Consider the space

You can’t exactly have a large, professional type kitchen with wide walkways and large storage spaces with a gigantic fridge if you live in a tiny studio apartment. You’ll need a kitchen that matches the size of the space available. You can still have the kitchen of your dreams as long as you use the space smartly. 

• Use the ceiling. You can use strong storage rods attached to your ceiling to store your pots and pans. Or your cups if you prefer. Just don’t store sharp objects up there, that’s just asking for trouble. 

• Glass doors. See-through glass gives the impression of a wider space. It’ll make your kitchen feel bigger than it is. 

• Lighting is everything. A dark kitchen will feel cramped. A well lit one will feel bright and airy. 

• Storage is important, too. Try having a pull-out pantry if you don’t have enough space for a full one. The pull-out will keep your essentials neatly and safely stored while keeping your kitchen clutter-free. 

• If you plan to show off the part of your dishware, try to use wall-mounted shelves. This way, you can display different designs of tea sets or spice jars and daily dishes without taking up valuable counter space. Consider using open-faced cabinets. This way, you can still have plenty of storage space for your dishware while also allowing guests to see your beautiful designs. By considering these options, you can easily find ways to show off your dishware while still keeping your small kitchen designs functional and stylish.

  2. Let’s talk appliances

Okay, so you want state-of-the-art, ultra modern appliances in your kitchen. Keep in mind that appliances will age and what is modern now will soon be old news, easily replaced by newer models. And if you are one of those people who worry about the environment, you might be looking for ways to reduce carbon footprint in your home. Seeing as one of the top consumers of electricity in the home is your refrigerator, taking into account the type of appliances to get when you remodel is an important step to getting the kitchen you so desire. 

You need to ask yourself:

• Does the appliance I want to buy fit with my needs? You don’t need a commercial grade stove with six burners if you’re only feeding yourself and the occasional guests. The same goes for the reverse, you can’t have a single burner if you’re cooking for a family of five and three of those are ravenous teenagers. 

• Will it fit my kitchen? The answer to this question is very important and will dictate whether you actually buy the appliance or not. If it’s too big, don’t get it. 

• Is this a good quality product? Read reviews before buying. You don’t want to buy something that looks good but is actually a hidden fire hazard. Do your research. It will help you save money in the long run. 

• Can I afford it? Speaking of money, remodeling can be expensive depending on how large the changes are. Create a budget and stick to it. And take into account the electricity it will consume. The higher the electricity consumption, the higher your bill will be at the end of the month. 

1. Stick to the layout

Every kitchen is fitted with pipes and gas lines and wires and outlets. The simplest way to renovate a kitchen is to do so while keeping to the original layout. Moving the pipes can extend your timeline and might cause you to overshoot your budget. Not to mention the possible problems that could arise from changing the location of your plumbing and wires. Sticking to the original layout will mean fewer debris for you to clean up afterwards. It will also mean fewer things to worry about during renovation. 

Conclusion

Kitchen renovations can be daunting, but they can also be fun. Whether you are doing it yourself or hiring renovators, keeping these three tips in mind will help you stick to your budget, create a good plan, and, at the end of it all, a kitchen you can be proud of.

Guest Contributor: Kat Sarmiento