5 Things to Consider Before Renovating Your Kitchen

The kitchen is often at the top of a homeowner’s remodelling bucket list. However, it’s a big, frequently-used space and often the very center of a family’s home, and this can make it hard to know exactly where to start. If you’ve made the decision to undertake a kitchen renovation and are at the point of considering all the details, here are a few helpful tips to get you started. 

Layout

Don’t get stuck in the mindset that your new kitchen has to keep the same layout and footprint as your existing one. Chances are, if you are considering a kitchen upgrade, you are unhappy with something about the room. It may be the amount of space, the flow of the space, or elements of the functionality of what you currently have. Allow yourself to think outside of the box when thinking through layout. Take a stab at mapping out what you want and think through how what you’re envisioning will flow together. Keep in mind that if one of your frustrations with your current kitchen is that it feels cramped, updating everything while keeping everything in the same spot will leave you equally frustrated in your new kitchen.

When thinking about your kitchen layout consider these questions: 

• What needs to change to better accommodate your daily cooking routine? 
• Do you have enough storage or do you find yourself wishing you had more? Or that the storage near your workstation(s) was better suited to your tasks?
• How will your ideas flow with the rest of the house? 

Lifestyle

When thinking through your new kitchen, it’s important to think through your lifestyle and how it will be used. With Pinterest, it’s so easy nowadays to find endless renovation inspiration, but it’s key to not just pick a direction that looks good, but one that also caters to your lifestyle.

• Some lifestyle related questions to consider might be:
•  How will the kitchen most often be used? 
• How often will it be used for entertainment?
• What kind of cook are you?
• How often is the family gathered together in the kitchen?

As you begin to answer these questions you will start to gain a picture of what you need to prioritize to gain a kitchen that will really work for you, one that you’ll be happy with for years to come. 

Kitchen Appliances

Don’t skimp when it comes to appliances.  While it can seem like a good place to cut your budget a bit, you do get what you pay for. Over time, those appliances you saved money on can end up costing you more to get them repaired/replaced as they break down. If you are going to be investing in renovating your kitchen, consider appliances as part of the whole reno budget and get the best appliances you can afford. The right appliances do a great job of adding elements of function and design to your new kitchen, elements that you’ll appreciate whenever you’re using them. 

Lighting

Proper lighting can make the difference between a nice kitchen renovation and an amazing kitchen renovation. Most older homes will only have one to two lights in the kitchen and while this is functional, it doesn’t give the opportunity for lighting to accent and show off the best parts of your kitchen. By using the combination of pot lighting, under cabinet lighting and pendants your kitchen will always feel warm and bright and welcoming. 

Working with a Contractor

While going the “do-it-yourself” route may seem like a way to cut the overall cost of your kitchen remodelling project, working with a contractor will make the whole process much easier and take a huge weight off your shoulders. They will take into consideration the legal and safety precautions and also know what permits will be needed throughout the build. They will also oversee each step of the process and make sure that everything goes smoothly, stays on budget and that you are happy with the finished project.

At Toledo Renovations, we pride ourselves on delivering quality work at each and every step of the project. Call us for a quote and learn how we would approach your kitchen renovation to achieve your vision.