If you’re looking for a way to increase the value of your home, start with your kitchen. And if you’re thinking about remodeling it, then this post is for you! We’ll talk about how to decide on layout and design and what to consider when hiring a kitchen remodeling contractor. Let’s get started with our ultimate guide!
Kitchen Layout
There are a few important considerations when deciding on the layout of your kitchen. One is to make sure there’s enough space for the different appliances you’ll need. It’s worth sitting down to think about which appliances you will actually need and which ones will just collect dust. The planning stages is where you’ll make wise decisions about where to allocate your budget. Yes, a double-decker oven looks amazing, but will you ever use it? If not, skip it to make room for things you will actually use and love!
Flow
Another consideration is making sure that it doesn’t disrupt the flow from one area to another, like where countertops meet with flooring or dishwasher meets sink. A huge part of a kitchen remodel is reworking the space so that the beautiful does not hinder the functional. Take time to visualize how you use your current kitchen and what things would work best in a different location. Have you ever thought ” I wish this was over there” or “Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had X here”? Then this is the time to make that happen.
A third consideration would be separating your cooking and cleaning areas so they both stay organized and functional at all times!
Guiding Questions
To help decide which layout will work best for you, take this quiz:
-Do I primarily cook in my kitchen?
-How much countertop do I want? Do I prefer more cabinet space versus additional counterspace?
-How many people typically congregate in the kitchen?
-Where do I want my oven and stove to be located?
Floor Plans
An open floor plan is a great choice for those who love cooking, entertaining or spending time with family due to the increased flow of traffic. This kitchen allows you to easily move from one area to another without feeling closed off in any part of your home. However, people with small children may find that their active little ones are always underfoot when they’re trying to cook! An open kitchen also feels more like a communal space than just another room in your house because it offers everyone easy access into this “inner sanctum.”
Although this has been a popular choice for homeowners over the past decade or so, more and more homeowners are opting for closed kitchens again.
Closed kitchens can feel more like separate rooms which are often used as an office space or playroom. This is perfect if you need some privacy while working on recipes or other hobbies! Closed kitchen floorpans also help to cut down on noise pollution and allow you to have a conversation while cooking with friends or family. And since kitchens are almost always near the living room or den, the noise from the tv and the noise from the appliances can create quite the disruption for everyone in those rooms.
Once you have determined the bigger design components like flow and structure of the space, diving in to the smaller details will be easier to determine. A general rule to follow with kitchens is that the color and style should make sense with the rest of the house. You don’t want to create a space in your home that is out of sync with the rest of the house.
Finding the Right Contractor
Finally it’s important not just focus on how things look but also what will the process look like for selecting the right kitchen contractor to carry out the remodeling project.
Choosing who is best suited to take care of that part of your home renovation project could make all of difference as they will save you time, effort, hassle and more importantly-money!
Recommendations
Get recommendations from friends and family. It’s smart to look at your inner circle to get names for consideration. Looking to people you trust will help you reach out only to contractors that have done a good job for someone whose opinion you trust. This at least gives you a starting point for your research.
Licenses
Look for a contractor that is licensed to do work in your state. This is an important one to do. Far too many people opt to go with a contractor that doesn’t have a license simply based on price. Sometimes you feel obligated because the unlicensed contractor is someone’s cousin or good friend. Whatever the case may be, make it a rule that you won’t hire someone who is unlicensed to do a big remodeling project in your home.
Online Research
Take to the web to find what you are looking for. Google is a great place to start your search. You case use aggregate sites like Angi (formerly Angie’s List) or Yelp. You can also do a search for kitchen remodelers in your city. Comb through their reviews and look through pictures of their projects.
Also look at customer experience feedback from past clients-what were they happy or unhappy about the service provided by this company/general contractor?
The next big step is to narrow down your list and give these contractors a call. You’ll get a great idea of how they operate by actually meeting with them to discuss your project. Ask questions, tell them everything about your project and ask them for a quote.
Compare the quotes you receive and follow up with any additional questions before making your final decision. You want to make sure you go with a contractor that welcomes communication with their clients. Otherwise, you may find yourself frustrated and guessing about the status of your project once it’s underway.
Your kitchen is an important part of your home. It can be a place for loved ones to gather. It might just be the one room where you spend most of your time cooking dinner. Remodeling can be a huge undertaking, but with the proper preparation and the right contractor, it’s sure to be a success.
