The kitchen is the heart of the home, which is why many homeowners take pride in making it a fresh, welcoming, modern, and comfortable space. If your current kitchen doesn’t tick any of those boxes, you’re likely eager to undertake renovations to make it an area of your home you’re proud to show off.
However, before you start, it might pay to do your homework to ensure you’re happy with the final result. Here are a few typically unspoken rules that might change the course of your renovation.
Out With the Old, In With the New
As a nation, we’re doing our best to reuse and recycle as much as possible, but this doesn’t always work in the kitchen. For example, if you’re installing a new induction stove, your old cookware might not be compatible. Therefore, you’ll need to explore induction cookware brands and donate or sell old cookware that’s no longer suitable.
You might also find that your dining table or countertop appliances don’t work as harmoniously with the look of your new kitchen as they did with your old one. These don’t have to end up going to waste. You can sell, donate, or give them away, clearing out the space you need to upgrade something more fitting.
Timeless Is Best
Trends are great, and there’s nothing wrong with using on-trend colors, materials, and textures. However, it pays to tread carefully regarding anything that might be considered an acquired taste or eccentric.
You might like bright colors and unusual textures, but that doesn’t mean everyone will or that your tastes won’t change in the future. Instead of risking a lower resale value in the future, consider using more neutral colors and timeless features. You can then achieve bursts of color and let your personality shine through in decorations that are much easier to change if and when you tire of them.
Focus on Function
We spend at least an hour in our kitchens each evening preparing family meals, and this doesn’t even include the many times we might stop by the fridge for a tasty treat during the day. With so much of our time spent in this one area, it makes sense for functionality to be the primary consideration during the renovation process.
Think about how your current kitchen doesn’t suit your needs, and come up with solutions to these problems in your new kitchen design. For example, you might have several appliances and nowhere to put them, so you’ll include extra cabinetry.
Save More Money Than You Need
It’s only natural to want to spend as little as possible on your kitchen renovation, so many homeowners create a tight budget. Even with the best-laid plans, however, it’s surprising how quickly the costs can pile up. To give you a rough idea, the average high-quality kitchen renovation ends up costing around $25,000, or $150 per square foot. So if you’re saving money to afford a renovation, set aside more than you need.
Pick a Focal Point
The options are endless for exciting kitchen features, like striking tiles, show-stopping bench tops, and bright-colored cabinetry. Rather than incorporating a kitchen full of exciting details, install just one to catch the eye and pair it with more neutral features. A single focal point, such as a patterned splashback, avoids busyness.
Renovating a kitchen can be expensive, so there’s often very little room for error. By being aware of these common renovation rules, you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful new kitchen that you’re proud to show off to your friends and family.
