How To Set The Priorities For A Kitchen Renovation Project
Kitchen remodeling is a goal-oriented activity. Whatever you think of the kitchen's current form, you need to have goals for changing it. Setting your priorities is critical. Here is how to prioritize during the planning of a kitchen renovation project.
Identify the Pain Points
Few people remodel a kitchen without attacking some pain points. For example, a kitchen might lack sufficient elbow room for you to do food prep, cook, and present meals. When space usage is a pain point, you need to find ways to generate space. Solutions might include removing unnecessary features, taking out a wall, or even expanding the kitchen's footprint.
Create an exhaustive list of the kitchen's pain points. If you think the appliances are dated, this is the time to say goodbye. Maybe the kitchen needs more natural lighting or additional storage.
Upgrade
Especially when it comes to things that aren't easily upgradeable, this is the time. If the plumbing uses ancient metal pipes instead of modern flexible ones, upgrade the plumbing. Add recessed lighting if you've always wanted something more subtle. Install smart kitchen features. Think about the things that you'll want in the kitchen a decade from now and choose upgrades accordingly.
Pick a Style
You don't want the remodel to become a hodgepodge of design decisions. Pick a style that appeals to you. If you're uncertain about a specific style, think about what you generally want. Someone who desires a clean and efficient kitchen might choose a modernist style. Conversely, a person who wants a warm and comfortable kitchen might lean toward rustic designs.
Budget
Money considerations will reveal many of the priorities for a kitchen renovation. As you start comparing your budget to your goals, the numbers will tell you which ideas are nice to have versus which ones are priorities. If you're financing the project, talk to a loan officer so you can establish your full budget. Include at least a 10-percent cushion to ensure that you can address any potential cost overruns during kitchen remodeling.
Discuss Your Plans with a Professional
Convert your priorities into a proper list. Develop a reverse order of priorities so you can have a detailed conversation with a professional. Prioritize functional issues and work your way to pain points. You want to ensure those decisions factor into the project before you move on to nice-to-have features. A professional can price the priorities and hone in on a kitchen remodeling plan.