When you're planning a kitchen renovation, you'll likely have visions of a brighter, more open space with new appliances, paint and countertops. But a kitchen renovation is also an opportunity to fix problems that have been building up over time. 

Remodelling can be stressful, but there are many things you can do to prepare yourself and your family for the process. Not only will it make the project go smoother for you, but it will also make things easier on the contractor and his or her employees. As with anything, there are problems that can arise during a remodel.

Below are solutions to common kitchen problems, which many homeowners face.

Not enough space

What can you do if you lack counter space for preparing meals? Unless you have a small appliance garage to store small appliances like blenders and mixers, it’s best to remove them from the counter and store them in pantry cabinets or the basement until needed. If you have no space at all on the counters, consider removing some of your cabinet doors and hanging them on the wall above your counters to create additional storage space. You can then store these items out in the open on a shelf. Also, try using hooks on backsplash tiles or walls to hang pots and pans. Another option is adding shelves above windows or over doorways as long as they won’t interfere with any lighting that may be there.

Insufficient Lighting

There's nothing worse than cooking under lighting that doesn't provide adequate illumination for food preparation. Poor lighting can cause fatigue and eye strain. If you're going to be working in your kitchen for any length of time (which many homeowners do), the lighting needs to be sufficient enough for you to see properly.

There are several options available for upgrading the lighting in your kitchen: recessed lights (aka can lights), pendant lights and track lights are popular choices these days among homeowners who want a more contemporary look and feel in their kitchens.

Window or door placement

Before you tear out a wall, consider where the wall is located, and whether it's a load-bearing wall. If it is, you will need to consider the ramifications of removing a load-bearing wall. To determine if it is a load-bearing wall, find your floor joists by looking in your basement or crawl space. If the joists are perpendicular to the wall, it is likely load-bearing. If they run parallel, the wall is non-load bearing and can be removed.

If you have an exterior door in your kitchen that opens to nothing but an outside wall or exterior window, consider taking down that wall to open up your kitchen to an outdoor patio or deck. Depending on your climate and budget, you might want to install French doors in place of the window or door to allow for more light and easy access outdoors for entertaining. 

We definitely advise you to consult with your team of workers. Professionals will help you make the kitchen look spectacular. They can also deal with residential demolition, which will give your space a completely different purpose.

Your kitchen design feels too basic and uninteresting

Solution: There are a couple of things that can be done to improve this. First, you can add a splash of colour to your kitchen with the use of coloured tiles, accessories, and decor such as colourful appliances or backsplashes. You can also add wall art, wallpaper, different counter and cabinet colours, or even a new paint job to shake things up.

Your kitchen floor is outdated and not functional

Solution: If your floor is in good condition, you may be able to simply refinish it. If your floor isn't salvageable, you have many options for replacing it; such as solid wood floors, laminate floors and more. One popular choice is porcelain tile flooring because of the wide variety of textures and colours available.

Not Enough Cooking Space

If you have a large family or love to prepare elaborate meals, then having a cramped kitchen can limit your ability to enjoy cooking. To avoid this common problem, you should look at the way your kitchen is currently configured and make some changes if necessary. Some of the things that you can do include adding or installing an island or peninsula. Creating more countertop space will allow you to prepare food more easily. You should also consider adding a second sink if possible – this can be useful when preparing large meals or entertaining guests.

Guest Contributor: Tim Tylor