Apart from being a place for cooking, the kitchen is also where a lot of families and friends build bonds over good food. This is why the kitchen is often called the heart of the home. As such, it only makes sense to put in the effort to make it as functional and as comfortable as possible.
If you’re looking to change up your kitchen, then it’s the perfect opportunity to improve the space to make room for more memories with your loved ones. Take these considerations into account to ensure that you get an efficient kitchen that still reflects your style and personal preferences.
Setting a Goal
Before making any major purchases or committing to a design, consider your objectives for the kitchen renovation. Think about why you’re doing it in the first place: Are you going for a completely new look complete with brand-new appliances, a more efficient layout, more storage, or all of the above?
It’s helpful to write down your needs and wants while taking note of the extent of repairs and modifications these would require. A renovation is your chance to address specific concerns and maximise your kitchen space, so make sure to plan accordingly to achieve your vision for your renovated kitchen.
Considering Your Budget
Once you’ve laid out your goals for the renovation, it’s time to look at how much you can reasonably and are willing to spend for this change. While having a goal lays the foundation for the kitchen renovation, your budget dictates its direction. You might be thinking of doing a major redesign, but if your budget won’t allow it, then you could opt to make the most essential tweaks for now. Furthermore, for less critical repairs like painting the walls and other design fixes, you could even consider going the DIY route. However, make sure that you are sufficiently capable of doing the job and do some research; otherwise, reach out to builders Dunedin homeowners rely on to perform these tasks so you don’t just end up wasting time and money.
Additionally, most builders will advise you to set aside a contingency fund of around 10% to 12% of the total estimated cost of the project. After all, it’s better to be prepared than to not have extra funds when unexpected expenses come up.
Planning the Design and Layout
One of the most exciting parts of a kitchen renovation—or indeed, any home renovation project— is envisioning the final look of your dream space. Take inspiration from online resources or work with an interior designer to bring your idea to life. There are many styles to choose from, like minimalist, traditional, contemporary, industrial, and farmhouse, among others. More importantly, however, think about how the kitchen design would blend in with the rest of the home and whether it contributes to the functionality of the space as well.
Since the kitchen is a multifunctional space, it should be designed more purposefully. Have discussions with your family and your hired builders to go over key aspects like storage and cabinetry, prep or work areas, appliance placements, and the serving section; then, plan the layout with all of these in mind. Once these crucial elements are settled, you can then think of any additions that cater more to your aesthetics and style preferences.
Last but not least, make sure you also consider the spaces needed by appliances and fixtures. For instance, if you’re planning on getting new cabinets and drawers, there should be enough clearance for the doors to swing and slide open. The same goes for appliances like refrigerators and ovens, which also require ample space on their backs and sides for proper airflow.
Thinking of the Timeline
Home renovations require careful planning and substantial commitment, since, apart from their cost, they can take a significant amount of time to complete, especially if you’re doing a major redesign. Hence, be sure to factor in the possible duration of the project and thoroughly discuss the timeline with your builder.
On average, a renovation can take up to 5 months, with planning, product, and supply preparations taking 4 to 6 weeks even before construction begins. This timeline doesn’t take into account any delays, such as those caused by weather disturbances, lack of materials, and the like. Therefore, you should consider the amount of time it would take before you can fully enjoy your new kitchen and make the necessary adjustments to your activities and other obligations.
As a space for sharing and gathering, the kitchen is central to what makes a house a home. Thus, the ideal kitchen is a space that combines utility, convenience, and aesthetics to serve its purpose both as a productive area and a welcoming refuge. The above-mentioned considerations are all crucial to the success of the renovation. As your vision slowly turns into reality, these efforts will prove to be worthwhile.
Create your dream kitchen with the help of professional house builders experienced in bringing grand designs to fruition. Contact our team of skilled builders at SB2 Build today and plan your kitchen renovation with us.