When it’s time to update your interior design, the kitchen is a great place to start. Whether your kitchen space is used for cooking, entertaining, or just hanging out, with advanced smart appliances and a multitude of design and brand options, there’s never been a better time to invest in the kitchen of your dreams.
This isn’t to say that kitchen remodel nightmares aren’t a dime a dozen—anyone who’s updated their linoleum flooring, Formica countertops, or turquoise refrigerator knows the struggle of a full-blown kitchen renovation.
But it’s important to remember that a kitchen remodel should be an exciting time, and if researched, organized, budgeted, and planned properly, you can achieve your ideal cooking space without drama or disaster.
The kitchen is oftentimes the most popular room in your home, and a successful kitchen remodel will not only improve your day-to-day functionality, but it will also serve as an opportunity to make a return on your investment.
If you’re considering a kitchen renovation but aren’t sure where to begin, follow our checklist for easy, step-by-step instructions to start your kitchen remodel in 2021.
1. Have a Plan
A successful and worry-free kitchen remodel is the result of a thorough and thoughtful plan. Are you hiring contractors or getting your hands dirty yourself? Decide on design styles, colors, layouts, appliances, and so on, so you have everything you need to bring your vision to life. Ordering materials and establishing a working schedule can take the most time, so planning these aspects beforehand is the most efficient way to keep your project on track.
Even the simplest kitchen renovation can take a month or two if it is not properly planned, and with inevitable hiccups along the way, preparation is key. Begin envisioning your end-goal right away and gather photo samples for design inspiration.
Are you replacing cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances? Tearing down any walls? Considering adding a second kitchen sink or upgraded ventilation system? These are all important aspects of a new kitchen space, so ask yourself which of these elements are a must-have and which would be nice-to-have.
2. What Needs to be Updated?
Once you have an idea of what you want your kitchen to look like, it’s time to start identifying the areas of your kitchen that need to be updated. This will help you gauge how large of a project your kitchen remodel will be.
Before making any decision, examine the condition of your kitchen and consider the following:
- Do you need to relocate appliances?
- Do you want to incorporate a kitchen island?
- Do you plan to replace or repurpose cabinetry?
- Are the walls load-bearing?
- Are the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems in good shape?
If your kitchen is in fine condition, the renovation can be as simple as cosmetic updates to create a fresh and modern look. If this is the case, a DIY remodel will be the best solution to keep your costs at a minimum.
If you need to do serious demolition or update any electrical systems, this will require the help of a professional, which brings us to our third step.
3. Hire Your Remodel Team
It’s easy to let a kitchen remodel suffer due to a lack of skilled contractors to hire, so put this at the top of your to-do list and hire a team early. Experienced teams with positive reviews are oftentimes booked solid for months in advance and hiring the first available contractor on a whim won’t produce the results you want.
Choosing the right team takes a lot of trust, so read reviews, make a few phone calls, and be confident you’re hiring the right individuals for the job. It's important to be on the same page as your contractor so the job will be done the right way and your kitchen will be transformed exactly how you pictured it.
Once your team is established, maintain consistent organization and communication. Exchange contact information and agree on a working schedule to ensure you’re sticking to your timeline.
4. Set a Realistic Budget
Budgeting isn’t the most glamourous aspect of a kitchen remodel, but it might be the most important. To begin a successful renovation, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with a typical remodel cost. There are a range of price points, but a typical kitchen remodel will set you back around $30,000 if you plan on gutting your entire space and starting from scratch.
Whether your goal is to spend $10,000 or $50,000, sticking to a budget will help you set realistic expectations for your remodel. Any responsible homeowner will have to make the difficult decision of what to include and what to leave out, so allow yourself some wiggle room. It’s a good idea to set aside 10 to 20 percent of your overall budget for any issues or unplanned expenses that may arise.
5. Choose Your Remodeling Season
A kitchen remodel will temporarily disrupt your home, so choose your remodeling season at a time where you can avoid stress instead of the busier times of the year.
In addition to your family’s work and school schedules, the weather has a big impact. Typically, people prefer to begin a remodel during the warmer months of spring and summer because you can easily utilize your outdoor space for grilling and eating while your kitchen is unavailable.
However, some people may consider a kitchen remodel off-season during the fall or early winter to get a better rate and limit the overall cost of the renovation.
6. Make it Final
The last step is somewhat of a repeat of step one, but finalizing your project comes down to the details. Make sure you’ve decided on appliance placement to maximize your kitchen layout, plan for a temporary cooking area during the renovation, and keep a safe space for children and pets away from the construction.
Most importantly, be confident with your decision and do your best to stick with your gut and your budget. If you’re satisfied with your choices, don’t second-guess yourself to match today’s new design trend. Options are endless and you’ll always discover something new, but changes take time and cost more money. Committing to a layout and style that works for your home will only result in a kitchen you adore.
Bonus: WATERSOURCE by Don’s Appliances
If you’re looking for an added bit of flair and pizazz, our line of WATERSOURCE products would make a fine addition to any upgraded kitchen space. More specifically, our line of kitchen-related products includes kitchen sinks, faucets, disposals, and sink accessories. These aren’t always the flashiest, big-ticket items, but new-and-improved fixtures and accessories can play a big role in the look and feel of a modern kitchen space.
Oftentimes overlooked, water is extremely important to the success of your cooking and cleaning routine. We use water to prepare meals and clean our dishes, but the type of water present in your home can affect your appliances and your housewares.
Hardwater is full of magnesium and iron, which can leave a filmy residue behind on your cookware, in your sink, and inside your dishwasher. If you’re remodeling your kitchen and installing new appliances or a new sink, the last thing you’ll want to see are grimy water spots.
Luckily, our water filtration and treatment line can combat hardwater to leave your appliances sparkling-clean. A water softener or a home water filtration system will reduce scale and mineral buildup so you can use less detergent and enjoy cleaner dishes with fewer water spots.
Kitchen Remodel Recap
A kitchen remodel is a blank canvas; it’s a new beginning. While you’re in the initial planning stage, decide what you dislike about your current kitchen design and how you hope to correct these flaws with a new kitchen layout. Whether storage space or out-of-date appliances are your biggest pain points, find a solution that works for you and your available space.
Remember these tips as your crossing off your kitchen remodel checklist:
- Set a list of priorities and your big-picture goal expectations.
- Choose a design style with a cohesive color palette.
- Source your building materials and appliances. Purchase everything you need well in advance and make note of your kitchen and appliance dimensions.
- Plan logistics: temporary kitchen, shipping periods, contractors, working schedule, etc.
- Anticipate obstacles.
- Establish a budget and a working timeline.
- Get creative and enjoy the experience.
We’re Here to Help
There are endless opportunities when it comes to remodeling, and with so many appliances, design styles, and colors to choose from, it can be an overwhelming process. Combine that with the stress involved from living without a functional kitchen space for a month or two and that could be enough to avoid a remodel altogether.
Don’t let worry get you down—instead, let the experts take some of the burden off your plate. Our expert team at Don’s Appliances is here to answer any questions you have so you can find the exact appliances, features, and style options to fit your brand-new kitchen. We’ll take care of delivery and if you need assistance with the payment, you can buy now and pay later with special financing options.
Start your kitchen remodel journey with us—shop online, pick up the phone, or visit one of our stores today.