In terms of both property value and quality of life, kitchens are one of the most valuable rooms in the home. They offer space for you to indulge in your passion for cooking, entertain guests, and host family breakfasts. This means you need a kitchen layout that is functional and flows well especially when you have guests to entertain. Discover how to design a kitchen confidently through the following collection of kitchen renovation tips and ideas from designing ample space to a functional kitchen flow and more.
Key Takeaways
- Enhance flow with wide 36-inch kitchen paths and 42-to-48-inch cooking aisles.
- Avoid corners in kitchen designs to prevent cabinet obstruction, limited counter space, and difficulty accessing drawers.
- Declutter your kitchen with hidden storage solutions and custom cabinetry.
- Use light colour schemes such as white, greys, and pastel yellows to make your kitchen feel brighter and more spacious.
- The length of a kitchen renovation depends on the amount of labour available, the complexity of the project, and the size of the kitchen.
- Kitchen renovation timelines vary from a total of 12 weeks to 41 weeks.
Kitchen Renovation Tips
Exploring a variety of kitchen renovation tips can help you ensure a smooth process that results in a more aesthetically pleasing and functional kitchen design. The following are some great tips on how to renovate a kitchen:
Initial Planning and Budgeting
- Set a Budget: Establish a realistic budget based on your wants, needs, and preferences. Factor in the cost of labour, materials, design fees. It’s also a good idea to account for potential complications that require additional expenses, such as rerouting plumbing.
- Identify and Prioritize Needs: Compile a list of what’s most important in your kitchen renovation. For example, if you need better storage solutions, upgraded appliances, or accessibility features. Prioritize these items in your budget.
- Consider ROI: Your ROI for a kitchen renovation is the potential profit to stand to gain from the upgrades, minus the renovation costs. Typically, kitchen renovations have a ROI of between 52.5% to 71.2%.
Layout and Functionality
- Consider Kitchen Layout: Your new kitchen should make meal preparation easy. This is why you should take the time to create an easy, simple kitchen design layout that improves workflow. Consider the tasks you will be performing in the kitchen. This will help you create spaces that reflect your needs. For example, if you are adding a coffee bar, then place a cupboard nearby for coffee cups, sugar, and other tools. Getting meals ready in the morning will be a breeze once you incorporate this. Do you have a spot where you know you will be packing lunches or leftovers? This is the perfect space to add storage for containers and wrap, so you can pack up food in no time.
- Explore Kitchen Layouts: Research different kitchen design layout to determine which layout is most suitable for you and your family. Examples of kitchen layouts include single wall, galley, U-shaped, G-shaped, L-shaped, and island kitchens.
- Organization is Key: A kitchen is a high-traffic area that serves a lot of purposes. That’s why organization is key. Having ample storage that allows you to carefully sort and put away your kitchen supplies is the best way to stay on top of tasks. Plan your kitchen design around how you use your kitchen so that storage is available where you are doing specific tasks. The best kitchen designs feature places to not only store plates and food, but appliances, such as a pedestal for mixers or drawers that are deep enough to hold large pots and pans. This will keep your space clear of clutter and make it easier to find things when you need them.
- Incorporate The Work Triangle: The work triangle creates the ideal kitchen layout. It divides your kitchen into designated zones that connect at each point of a triangle. Zones include cooking, storage, and food prep. This promotes efficiency and flow when you’re in the kitchen.
- Optimize Pathways: When you’re designing a kitchen, avoid kitchen renovation mistakes such as prioritizing style over functionality. Having a beautiful kitchen doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice a practical layout. An optimized layout creates a clear pathway that aligns your usual movements when working in your kitchen.
- Create Wide Walkways: Kitchen prep is a lot of work, and you need to be able to move with ease. Transferring hot pots and pans between your counters and an appliance can be tricky, especially when other people are in the kitchen. So make sure to keep a wide path of approximately 36 inches. Ensure that cooking aisles are around 42 inches for one-cook kitchens, and 48 inches for two-cook kitchens. This will give you plenty of space to safely move around as you prepare your favourite meal.
- Avoid Corners: Avoid the corner trap when designing a kitchen. Corners can impede the swing of cabinets and make placing appliances tricky. They can also limit your counter space and make opening and closing drawers a hassle. Try to focus on creating an open space that enhances your movement and access to kitchen cupboards, drawers and appliances.
- Consider Kitchen Island’s Function: A kitchen island is a great way to create added prep space and storage. When designing your new kitchen, think of the ways your kitchen island can make prep easier. Your contractor will be able to offer a variety of helpful suggestions based on the layout of your kitchen. Elements you may want to consider adding include an additional sink, more counter space to do work or homework, a small fridge or wine bar. The island is a great gathering space, so make sure that you have a lot of surface space to entertain.
Maximizing Space and Storage
- Use Innovative Storage Solutions: A few kitchen renovation hacks for improved storage include floating shelves on the backsplash, drawers, and cup board beneath the island, and hanging ranks under the cabinets.
- Install Specialized Cabinetry: There are many cabinetry options for maximizing storage in tight or awkward spaces. Corner cabinets can have lazy Susan’s inside to optimize organization and increase storage capacity. Vertical pull-out pantries and spice racks are also useful.
- Find the Best Spot for Recycling: The latest design for kitchens include waste and recycling disposal. Meal prep can lead to the creation of lots of plastics, tins, glass, and other materials. Having your recycling handy is the perfect way to ensure messes are cleaned up. Your contractor can provide you with a variety of hidden storage solutions that allow you to dispose of recycling and make it easy to sort and transfer to the curb once a week.
- Promote a Clutter-Free Kitchen: Organizers are a great way to keep your drawers, countertops, and cupboards from becoming chaotic. Cutlery drawers, masonry jars, utensil hooks, and pot hangers can help you maintain a clutter-free kitchen.
Selecting Durable Materials
- Choose Materials Carefully: Material selection includes countertops, flooring, backsplash, and cabinetry. Explore the various styles and qualities of materials for each before making your decision. Consider the durability, maintenance requirements, and cost of the materials.
- Compare Materials: Every material comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. Compare the pros and cons of your top material choices. For example, granite countertops versus quartz or hardwood flooring versus tile.
- Review Countertop Options: It goes without saying that your new kitchen is going to need countertops. So when deciding what kind you want, consider both the materials and the functions you plan to do while in the kitchen. A countertop in a well-used kitchen will be versatile and strong, so it can stand up to cooking, baking, and other kitchen activities. Go with countertops that are granite or marble to ensure you have the best possible work surface. Consider adding a built-in cutting board for easy prep and convenience.
- Find a Balance: To ensure you stay within budget, it’s vital to find a balance between the durability and appearance of your kitchen materials. If you’re an avid cook and anticipate your countertops, seeing multiple spills and enduring frequent use, investing in a durable option might be best.
Lighting and Colours
- Prioritize Functionality and Ambiance: There are many places to install lighting as well as multiple kinds of lighting options to explore. You can add pot lights or valence lighting under cabinets, hanging lights over the island, and you can even put lights inside your cabinets for enhanced usage at night.
- Include Natural and Artificial Lighting: Natural and artificial lighting both have their perks. Enhance your kitchen’s natural lighting with floor to ceiling windows, a window above the sink, or a skylight. Artificial lighting over the countertops is beneficial for preparing and cooking food.
- Use Light Colours in a Smaller Kitchen: It’s important that your kitchen is bright but also inviting. That’s why we recommended using light colours. Not only does this enhance lighting, but it gives the illusion of a larger size. Cream, yellow and white are the perfect colours to enhance the look of your kitchen, giving it a modern, airy feeling.
- Take Advantage of Colour Schemes: Light colours such as whites, light greys, pastel yellows, and off-whites reflect light. This is perfect for making small or narrow kitchens feel bigger and brighter. Use these colours on the walls, cabinets, ceiling, and counters. Choose a fixture with complementary colours to create a stunning design.
Appliances and Fixtures
- Consider Energy-Efficiency: Energy-efficient appliances reduce your long-term utility bills. You can also increase the market value of your home as energy efficient appliance are an attractive feature to potential homebuyers.
- Create a Cohesive Kitchen: Coordinating the colour of your appliances with the rest of your kitchen can help you create a cohesive design. Additionally, different appliance materials such as a stainless-steel fridge can add a pop of contrast to your overall design.
- Pick Complementing Fixtures: Ensure the finishes of your fixtures blend in with your kitchen’s style and colour scheme. As an alternative, you may also consider contrasting fixtures that make a bold statement, such as brightly coloured light fixtures or contrasting gold hardware with black counters.
Eco-Friendly Options
- Add Sustainable Features: Lower your environmental footprint with a sustainable kitchen renovation. Some sustainable feature you can include in your kitchen are low-flow facets, bamboo flooring, and compost bins under the counter.
- Look Into Eco-Friendly Materials: Many recycled materials are long-lasting, easy to maintain, and visually appealing. Recycled and repurposed materials include reclaimed wood, recycled cabinets, and low-VOC paints. Certified Energy Star windows are also a great idea.
- Install Energy-Saving Elements: Choosing energy-saving appliances provides the benefits of both a more environmentally friendly kitchen and lower energy-bills. Smart home stoves and refrigerators can save you energy as well, as they monitor energy consumption and adjust automatically to usage patterns.
Installation and Final Touches
- Establish a Timeline: Part of a smooth kitchen renovation involves establishing a timeline for the planning, designing, demolition, and installation process. Your contractor can assist you in determining the total duration of the renovation, including additional time for the possibility of unexpected issues.
- Compare Professionals vs. DIY: Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a professional and DIY kitchen renovation. If your renovation involves major construction, plumbing, or electrical work, seek the help of a licensed professional. Minor projects such as applying backsplash, installing shelving, or painting may be suitable as a DIY, depending on your skill set.
- Include Personal Touches: Add plants, family photos, bowls, artwork, and more. The decoration you choose will vary based on the overall style, such as whether it’s a modern, traditional, or farmhouse style kitchen.
How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation Take?
As each kitchen renovation is unique, timelines vary based on factors such as available labour, complexity of the project, and the size of the kitchen. Here are a few contributing elements to how long a kitchen renovation can take:
Planning
It’s important to have realistic timeline expectations as a kitchen renovation involves a lot of planning, designing, and often plumbing and electrical alterations. So, how long does a kitchen renovation take? The following outlines the average timeframe for the biggest phases of a kitchen renovation:
- Ordering materials: Depending on the quality and customization of materials, supplier schedules, and material availability, ordering and delivery can take 4 to 12 weeks.
- Installation prep: Anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks. This typically involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC and drywall installations.
- Demolition: Between 1 and 2 weeks based on project size.
- Installation: The primary installation phase varies from 2 to 3 months. Smaller kitchens can take just a month for installations, whereas larger projects may take up to 5 months.
- Final touches: This stage can involve painting, cleaning, decorating, caulking, and sealing. These components, along with other finishing touches, can take 2 to 4 weeks.
Cost Management Tips
Budget Planning and Strategies
- Allocate about 20% of your budget to unforeseen expenses.
- Break down cost by percentage. For example, cabinets account for 35% of the budget, labour for 20%, appliances for 20%, etc.
- Research permit costs as well as local building codes to prevent surprises down the road.
Cutting Costs Without Compromises
- Reuse or repurpose existing materials or furniture.
- Constantly be on the look-out for sales and discounts.
- Choose sustainable materials, energy-efficient appliances, and eco-friendly fixtures.
Essential Questions for Contractors
- How can you guarantee a kitchen renovation within my budget?
- Do you handle post-construction clean up and materials disposal?
- Do you take responsibility for obtaining the proper permits?
Final Thoughts on Planning a Successful Kitchen Renovation
Although renovations can seem overwhelming with many variables to consider, a little guidance from expert contractors and designers can ease your concerns. Now that you have a better understanding of how to design a kitchen, it’s time for the next steps. To learn more about designing your dream kitchen, contact Black Pearl Custom Homes and consult with one of our professionals.