The kitchen is one of the most popular areas in a home since it’s where families prepare hearty meals, dine, and catch up together. However, over time, it experiences wear and tear. Wall paint fades, appliances break down, and floor stains or chips appear here and there. Hence, a kitchen renovation is necessary.
Remodeling your kitchen might be easier said than done, but you can always go the DIY route, especially if you have some handyman skills up your sleeve. The key is to plan well and perform essential tasks.
Read on to learn about a few tips for a successful DIY kitchen renovation.
- Find Ideas And Inspiration
Even when doing a DIY kitchen renovation, it won’t hurt to inquire or seek advice from a renovation company like Kitchen & Bath. Chances are there might be some aspects in your kitchen remodel that need to be handled by professionals, such as installing new flooring.
It’s important to know what kind of kitchen you’re looking to have. One excellent resource is to check home improvement blogs, magazines, and websites that provide pointers on kitchen and home renovations. You’ll come across a lot of helpful tips from fellow DIYers. You can even join forums and communities that share suggestions.
Research as much as you can and take note of information you find useful. This will help you figure out what fixtures and materials are needed for your kitchen.
You can also check out various kitchen layouts. If you have a small space, you can go for a galley kitchen. This layout features a couple of parallel countertops with a walkway in the middle or two walls across from each other. On the other hand, a U-shaped kitchen is suitable for a large kitchen. With three walls of appliances and cabinets, it improves work flow, as well as traffic flow.
After deciding on a layout, create a draft of the kitchen design you want. What kind of style do you want? Do you want a traditional or a contemporary kitchen? A traditional kitchen incorporates classic elements, such as white paint and tiles, hardwood floors, glass cupboard doors, and marble countertops. In contrast, a contemporary kitchen includes old and new but sophisticated and casual elements, such as granite countertops, colorful cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances.
- Plan Everything
In addition to preparing a floor plan and a design, you need to plan ahead. Having a plan will help you stay on budget and achieve your desired look. Your plan should include important details, such as finances and schedule.
To stick with your budget, determine how much you’ll need for your project. You can list down the tasks and indicate how much of your budget will be set aside for each job. This way, you’ll get to have a clearer idea of the renovation costs. For instance, 20% of your budget goes to appliances, 35% for cabinets, 10% for windows, and 5% for fittings.
Aside from the budget, create a schedule, so you’ll know how long the renovation will take. Set time for certain tasks, such as measuring your space, ordering appliances and materials, demolishing your old kitchen, and applying structural changes. You can take more or less 20 minutes to measure the space, so you can ensure that the layout and design you pick are ideal.
Ordering products, including appliances and materials, takes about one or two months. Before ordering appliances, make sure that the size of appliances fit the cabinets and suit the design. After you’ve chosen the appliances, order the materials, such as cabinets, hardware, countertops, sink, lighting, and flooring.
Once all the materials are ready, you can start demolishing your old kitchen, which is about one week. You can apply structural changes between two to four weeks like installing new cabinets, walls, and windows.
- Inquire And Gather Quotes
Lastly, you must gather quotes for materials and services you’ll need. For example, you’ll have to know how much it will cost to hire professionals for plumbing and electricity services. Professionals will ensure that wirings and water connections are installed properly and in good working order. Before hiring them, verify whether they’re licensed and insured.
It will help to ask referrals from colleagues, friends, and family members who have had kitchen revamps in the past. They might recommend a reliable supplier or contractor.
As you explore your options, compare professional fees. Look into the quality of services as well by checking out helpful sources, such as reviews, records, samples, and portfolios.
Conclusion
You can turn your kitchen into an elegant space again by sprucing it up. A DIY kitchen renovation isn’t as complex as you think. You just need to do your research and plan ahead.
