Renovating or remodeling your kitchen has lots of variables to consider. Although remodeling your kitchen can significantly increase the value of your home, you have to be careful and make the correct decisions or you won’t get much return on your investment.
Here are 5 things you need to consider before starting a kitchen renovation.
How efficient is your Kitchen design?
The primary tasks in a home kitchen are carried out between the cook top, the sink & the refrigerator. You should have ample prep space for your meals. Your kitchen design will be the most important aspect of your remodeling. A designer can maximize your space per square foot & fix that floor plan flaw that doesn’t work for you or your family. Designers know the most cost effective way to achieve this.
Should you replace the cabinets or should you reface them?
The cabinetry box is the foundation of a cabinet. If you are replacing your counter tops the box must be level & strong enough to bear the weight of a stone counter-top. Your cabinetry frame is made of particleboard, melamine, or plywood. If they are all wood construction custom cabinets you might be able to save some money by refacing them but remember if you plan to sell your home in the future, it’s better to replace for a better return on your investment. Are your cabinet doors, hinges, slides, & shelves worn and torn? If so, you should replace them.
Does your kitchen provide ample storage space for you and your families needs?
Besides resale value & efficiency, storage is the number one reason home owners want to remodel. Without the proper storage space, homeowners feel the need to move or remodel their kitchens. Imagine how organized you will be with your special selections like vertical dividers, drawer inserts, glide-out shelves, that pull-out pantry & spice rack, or that lazy Susan you always wanted & deserve!
Do your appliances need to be replaced?
Homeowners will invest thousands on new refrigerators, stove tops, ovens, & dishwashers. When purchasing such items you must measure correctly for them to fit in your kitchen with existing cabinetry. But with new appliances & changing dimensions compared to those of past years, most likely those new toys won’t fit perfectly in your kitchen cabinetry. Thus another reason it makes sense to remodel.
Is your kitchen properly lit?
The kitchen is often one of the most improperly lit spaces in the home. You can address this problem by hiring a professional kitchen designer. They will be able to bring together all elements of lighting including, task, shadow free lighting, LED cabinet lighting, ambient lighting, and to ensure energy efficiency & safety when using appliances. Rewiring is an opportunity to add features that will increase the value of your home. When you are renovating your kitchen, this is the best time to rewire it, for contractors are already opening up walls, therefore electricians will be able to easily access electrical.
This information should come in handy when making your decisions.