{"id":879,"date":"2022-03-17T15:43:57","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T19:43:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/?p=879"},"modified":"2023-05-10T19:52:13","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T23:52:13","slug":"prepare-for-a-kitchen-renovation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jlbuilding.com\/blog\/prepare-for-a-kitchen-renovation\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare for a Kitchen Renovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

A kitchen renovation can be one of the more complex home renovations to take on. Not only do you have to consider how the finished project will look, but you also have to think about space, budget, and contractors. To help you better understand <\/span>how to prepare for a kitchen renovation<\/span> without breaking the bank or burning out, this blog will explore how to create a budget, determine the right layout for your home, and <\/span>partner with a contractor during the process.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve also compiled a fun quiz at the bottom of this blog<\/a> to help you figure out what type of kitchen may make the most sense for you!<\/span><\/p>\n

Figure Out What You Want<\/span><\/h2>\n

While you\u2019re envisioning your dream kitchen, spend some time researching specific elements that might be important to you. For example, if you love cooking with cast iron but don\u2019t have enough storage space for all your pots and pans, try choosing tall cabinets (also called pantry or utility cabinets).<\/span><\/p>\n

You may also want to think about how you like to use your kitchen. For instance, do you like to make pancakes every Sunday morning? Do you enjoy entertaining and hosting get-togethers where everyone brings their dish of choice? If so, ample counter space and easy access to outlets (so you can plug in all the necessary appliances for cooking) is an important design element to prioritize.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

Weighing What You Want vs. What You Need<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many homeowners start remodeling projects with visions of marble countertops, cherry wood cabinets, and stainless steel appliances dancing in their heads. These items are luxuries that may be a nice choice but should be considered upgrades instead of necessities. As you sit down to draw up your budget, be sure to differentiate between what is truly necessary (must-haves) and what is simply desirable (want-to-haves).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, granite countertops are a luxury (rather than a necessity) because most people will be just as happy with new options available in laminate surfaces. As best you can, try to avoid keeping up with the Joneses and focus on what makes sense for you,\u00a0 your budget, and the personal functionality of the space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting the Budget Right<\/span><\/h2>\n

The kitchen is often one of the most expensive rooms in your home.<\/span><\/a> But this doesn\u2019t mean your remodel has to drive you into debt. Before you dive into the depths of <\/span>how to prepare for a kitchen renovation<\/span>, start price-shopping cabinets and countertops. It\u2019s also helpful to sit down with a pen and paper and figure out what kind of budget you\u2019re working with before you wonder <\/span>how to finance a kitchen remodel<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Figure out how much disposable income (money after taxes) you have every month, then separate that into segments, including your mortgage or rent payment, utilities, and groceries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you have a total number available each month \u2014 minus any outstanding debts \u2014 it\u2019s time to talk numbers with your building materials supplier and contractor to put together an accurate estimate based on the scope of your project.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Layout<\/span><\/h2>\n

Deciding on the right<\/span> kitchen layout idea<\/span> is an important part of <\/span>preparing for a kitchen renovation<\/span>. You need to determine where your appliances will go, how you\u2019ll store food, and if you\u2019ll have enough room for friends and family when they visit. Partnering with high-quality designers and contractors can help make this part of the planning process much simpler.<\/span><\/p>\n

As far as appliances go, think about what works best for you and what makes the most sense. Custom-built cabinets may cost more upfront, but they may offer more flexibility and storage options down the road.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kitchens are one of the first things a buyer looks at in a home, so choosing a layout that makes sense and won\u2019t become outdated in a few years can pay dividends in the future. Also, as more ornate, large kitchens grow in popularity, real estate becomes more expensive, so think about the future if you’re not yet in your forever home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While you may be tempted to create a kitchen just for you, doing so could affect resale popularity in the future. Be sure that the layout of your kitchen makes sense and isn\u2019t simply artistic for the sake of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kitchen Space Planning<\/span><\/h2>\n

Before you actually take the <\/span>steps to remodel your kitchen<\/span>, take stock of your space. A floor plan will tell you how much room you have in existing cabinets and let you know if any walls need to be knocked down or built up before you can get started.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your current kitchen doesn\u2019t have much space, a new <\/span>kitchen remodel layout <\/span>that features flexible appliances you can tuck under countertops or fold against walls as needed may help. Your appliances are also just as important in determining how big your remodeled kitchen will be. You want pieces that won\u2019t take up too much space, but also don\u2019t limit what else can fit into your kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n