Updating your kitchen can give a new life to your home. After all, it’s the one place that many families spend time together, not just to prepare meals, but to also sit and chat at the end of a busy day. And during festive seasons, it can be the perfect place for your closest friends and family to mingle. Needless to say, the kitchen is the heart of every home.

This is why upgrading kitchens has become one of the most popular remodeling projects today. It’s an excellent way to make a statement about your personal style, whether you love modern sleek designs or rustic retro vibes. An upgrade can instantly give a facelift to your entire home and is also one of the best ways to boost the resale value of your property. After all, the kitchen is one of the top priorities of many homebuyers and they’re often willing to pay high for that perfect kitchen.

But before you get started with remodeling your kitchen, it’s important to spend some time to plan things carefully so you understand exactly what you need and the best ways to get them done. This is an absolute must if you want to avoid costly mistakes and get the best out of your investment.

In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to consider before taking up that all-important remodeling project to transform your kitchen.

What Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost?

How much does a kitchen remodel cost?

If you haven’t upgraded your kitchen for a while, or if this is the first time you’re taking a stab at a kitchen remodeling project, then you should naturally be curious about how much it will cost. In fact, this is probably the biggest question weighing on your mind right now.

It’s hard to give an exact figure since it all depends on what you want to get done. Having said that, it’s interesting to note that on average, a homeowner will spend around $150 per square foot.

The most basic kitchen upgrades involve painting the kitchen walls and replacing the sink and cabinets. This could potentially cost you around $10,000. But then again, it could vary based on the type of cabinets, the backsplash material, and the size of your kitchen. Ultimately, the quality, design, and material all have a huge impact on the price you pay. So keep in mind that what you get done for $10,000 can also be done for $30,000.

If it fits your budget, investing a little more in your kitchen is not a bad idea at all. Just remember that higher quality material means higher durability and a longer lifetime. And the more expensive the finish, the higher the boost on the resale value of your property.

How Often Should You Remodel Your Kitchen?

How often should you remodel your kitchen?

Let’s face it; remodeling a kitchen is a costly affair. So how often should you take it up? Many home builders recommend every 10 to 15 years, but keep in mind that this is a general guideline.

Some kitchens might need a revamp much sooner. It all depends on how you use it―for instance, how careful you are, how frequently you clean. And if you and your family spend a lot of time in the kitchen, then there’s a higher chance of wear and tear.

Not only that, if you’re planning on selling the house, then investing in upgrading your kitchen will help increase the resale value by a significant margin. Even if you have no plans to sell, there are still instances when you might consider remodeling. For instance, design trends change every year. If your kitchen looks significantly outdated, you could consider some changes to give it a more modern vibe.

Steps for Planning Your Kitchen Remodel

So, are you ready to start remodeling your kitchen? If the answer is yes but you’re not really sure how to go about it, don’t worry – we’ve got your back.

There are a few essential things any homeowner should know before embarking on a kitchen remodeling project. We’ll take you through each of these steps in detail below.

1. Planning

Planning is the most important step of a kitchen remodel.

Believe it or not, this is the most important part of the entire remodeling project. Why do we say that? Because planning can save you a ton of money, time, and heartache. So, make sure you spend enough time thinking things through before rushing into an expensive kitchen upgrade. A home remodel planner can help keep you on track.

The first thing to do is to decide exactly what you need done and why you need them. For example, do you need to change the kitchen cabinets or would an accessory change be sufficient? Do you need to remove a wall and open up space or can you move things around so you can make better use of the existing space? Also, properly timing your project can help you bring down the cost. For instance, you can make use of seasonal discounts.

Then don’t forget the overall design; your kitchen should reflect your personal taste and style. Also, consider functionality. The height of your cabinets, the space available, doorway sizes can all make a huge difference. So don’t hesitate to go into detail.

And finally, decide your budget. Needless to say, the quality of the material and the type of upgrades you get done will all depend on this. But this doesn’t mean you need to compromise quality. If you plan smart, you can find creative ways to get the best out of your budget.

2. Consider Appliances

If you’re not careful, this is an area that could become a significant drain on your budget, so don’t get carried away and be realistic about your requirements.

Make a list of all the new appliances you need. Remember, the appliances you select should serve your needs, be functional, and fit your budget. Consider what is really needed based on your family’s daily cooking activities.

Does your kitchen have enough space to accommodate them? Does your budget allow for a replacement at this moment, or can you get a better deal if you wait until the holiday sales? All these are essential questions to ask yourself when identifying the appliances to purchase. If done right, it can save you lots of money.

3. Don’t Change Locations

If your aim is to keep your costs low, then avoid drastic changes that involve moving the basic structural elements of your kitchen. We’re talking about things like walls, plumbing, wiring, and the lot.

These are expensive, and once you start opening up and removing things, any contractor will tell you about the long list of unexpected issues that could pop up. So keep these types of changes to a minimum. And it’s not just about the cost; if you have a deadline to complete the project, these structural modifications could significantly extend the completion dates. And remember, the dust and clearing up will just add on to all the hassle of the construction work. So, if you want to keep the expenses and the hassle to your family under control, avoid these changes as much as possible.

But if you have specific requirements that you think will need structural changes, have a chat with your contractor ahead of time. They might be able to advise you about other ways to achieve what you want.

4. Lighting

Make sure you invest in quality lighting when planning your kitchen remodel.

Lighting is an area most homeowners miss, usually until the latter part of their remodeling project. In fact, lighting should be somewhere at the top of your checklist.

Consider the areas where you spend the most amount of time in the kitchen, like the general prep areas and the sink. Make sure that there’s enough lighting to illuminate these spaces with some functional lighting fixtures such as under-cabinet and recessed lights. After all, your kitchen needs to be functional to serve your practical needs. Not just that, a brightly lit kitchen is definitely more inviting.

If you want to add some style and glamour, you can consider ambient lighting and some trendy pendant lights. These are perfect to instantly add an expensive touch to your kitchen without costing an arm and a leg.

5. Choose Quality

Compromising on quality is common among many homeowners as they try to keep their costs low and get the best out of their budgets. But this is a huge mistake that you will only realize later on.

Cheaper items naturally will not last long and might mean more repairs as time goes by. And when you think long term, it could easily end up costing you much more than the more expensive higher quality stuff. So, think twice before compromising on quality.

High-quality items may cost you more upfront, but the benefits over the long haul will make them worth every cent you pay. They will not only look great but will also be durable and last longer, saving you from the hassle of spending more money later on. Plus, these items will come with better warranties, so your investment is safeguarded for a longer time.

6. Storage First

Increasing your storage space is a great way to save money on a kitchen remodel.

Many homeowners choose to bring down walls and extend their kitchens when they feel they no longer have enough space. Sure, a bigger kitchen will always look great. But it’s also a huge drain on your budget, not to mention the unexpected issues that could always pop up with structural changes to the house.

So before you opt for a costly expansion, you need to consider adding extra storage fixtures. This is the easiest way to use your existing kitchen space and add lots of storage for your kitchen appliances. Something like this hanging pot rack can do wonders to alleviate clutter.

Take a good look at your kitchen and identify all the empty wall spaces. How can you use them creatively? Can you add extra wall cabinets on top? How about some cool floating shelves? There are lots of creative options out there to maximize space and keep your expenses low.

7. Communicate

Maintaining a regular dialogue with your contractor throughout the project is essential for many reasons. It can help you get an idea about the progress and quickly identify any unexpected bottlenecks that come up. Regularly following up will also signal the contractor that you’re serious about completing the project within the committed budgets and deadlines.

Allocate a specific time of the day to get updates. Remember, attempting to get into conversations during hectic times could end up disturbing their work. Having said that, don’t hesitate to pop in unannounced from time to time. After all, it’s your home, and you need to know how things are going.

Also, ensure that you are accessible to the contractor during the day. They should be able to easily reach you to discuss any sudden issues that need your attention so they can be sorted out quickly.

To Sum It Up…

The kitchen is the most important part of a home for many homeowners. Your kitchen should not only look great, but should also be functional to provide convenience and ease.

So when it’s finally time to upgrade, it’s important to start planning ahead so you can save yourself a lot of hassle and get the best out of your budget. Remember to avoid costly structural changes as much as possible, and spend enough time on choosing your lighting fixtures, identifying the appliances you need, and designing the storage spaces.

These will all add plenty of functional value and amplify the design aesthetics of your kitchen. Invest in high-quality items to make better use of your investment in the long term. Finally, maintain seamless and regular communication with your contractor to ensure that your remodeling project remains within the budget and deadlines as planned.

Upgrading your kitchen can be expensive and time-consuming, but when done right, it can boost the value of your home while also giving you and your family another good reason to gather and spend time in the kitchen.

Looking for more home remodeling inspiration? Then check out Remodeling Your Bathroom on a Budget next!