Because the kitchen is the hub of the home it is more frequently used than any other room in the house. For this reason it is important that the kitchen is in good condition and that it operates as efficiently as possible. The decor of the kitchen can add to the overall theme and ambiance of a home, from rustic to modern to futuristic.
There are many ways to improve the overall look of your kitchen by combining the latest designs and functional equipment. A kitchen makeover could involve an entire overhaul, or simply putting a few ideas together to give it a new look. Below are some things to consider before starting a kitchen remodeling project.
BUDGET
It is most important to know up front how much you would like to spend on refurbishing your kitchen. All plans are dependent on the amount of cash you have available, which will determine the extent of the make-over. Once you have allocated an amount to the project, you can decide on the extent of the renovation. Factors to consider in the budget include labor costs, professional design services, new appliances, fixtures and fittings. It may be advantageous to get the help of a professional kitchen designer to walk you through the most important details and to work out a quote, based on your budget.
Minimizing Costs
There are many ways in which you can reduce the cost of a kitchen makeover without compromising on quality. An example of this is to use existing appliances and cleverly blend them into the new design. Use creative ideas for a personal style that will make your kitchen look brand new without spending a fortune on new equipment. Sometimes a new floor and a coat of paint, combined with a few clever fixtures and fittings will produce a brand new look without going to the extent of structural changes and major remodeling.
Another example of minimizing costs is to maintain the style of an old home by reinventing how to use existing antique fixtures. Refurbishment of cabinet finishes and a few cleverly placed light fittings will give your kitchen a fresh new look.
PRIORITY AREAS
Before starting a kitchen redesign project, it is important to define the areas in the kitchen that are not functioning optimally and decide how you would like to redesign the layout to be more functional. When redesigning the layout of a kitchen you should always bear in mind the location of existing plumbing and electrical outlets and try to work around them to avoid additional costs to move them. Ensure that problem areas like leaking faucets and pipes, as well as electrical problems, will be sorted out as a matter of priority during the refurbishing work.
FINAL TOUCHES
Once the overall plan is in place, you can focus on other details such as what type of surfaces you would like for your counter tops and flooring. Natural materials such as granite and marble are beautiful and robust, however, they can be expensive if you are working according to a tight budget. There are, however, excellent synthetic materials on the market that look and operate as well as granite and marble and are much cheaper.
There are many different floor surfaces that are beautiful as well as functional. With any floor surface designed for kitchen use, the materials should be able to withstand high traffic volume, many spills and withstand damage from crockery and cutlery that invariably land up on the floor of a kitchen at some time or another.
It is a good idea to enlist the guidance and services of a professional kitchen designer to help you with the finer details of designing and refurbishing your kitchen.