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Planning Kitchen Remodeling
How to Plan a Kitchen Remodeling Project the
Right Way
By Mark J. Donovan
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Are you thinking about remodeling your kitchen? Planning a
kitchen remodeling project carefully is instrumental in ensuring the kitchen
of your dreams. Working with a kitchen designer is a smart idea as they can
help you plan your kitchen remodeling project down to the hardware used on
the kitchen cabinets and drawers. The first step in planning a kitchen
remodeling project, however, is writing down the key features you want to
incorporate into your kitchen remodeling project and developing a target
budget. A kitchen designer can then quickly compare the two to make sure
that they are in sync with each other. |
Prior to meeting with a kitchen designer use some graph paper to sketch out a
drawing on how you anticipate your new kitchen to look. Make sure to draw the
sketch to scale. Also generate a list of key features and materials you want to
include in your kitchen remodel. Keep in mind a kitchen work triangle for the
placement of the three main kitchen elements in your kitchen design plans. The
refrigerator, stove, and sink should be located so that you can easily access
them while standing at your main meal preparation area. For example, the sink
may be placed in a kitchen island, and the stove and refrigerator along the back
cabinet walls, adjacent to either side of the sink. By coming up with this type
of triangular work area you’ll ensure an optimum kitchen layout.
Often you will not be able to decide on kitchen cabinet types until you visit a
local kitchen supplier store. However, if you have thoughts ahead of time of key
features and attributes you want to see in your kitchen cabinets write them
down, e.g. Lazy Susans, spice racks, wood types, etc. Also, make sure your
kitchen cabinet design includes abundant storage space and/or utilizes all the
space in your kitchen efficiently. Dead cabinet corners are simply a waste of
precious real estate.
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When designing your kitchen remodel think about using materials that
complement one another. Moreover, use the same color / material for the kitchen
appliances, e.g. all stainless steel appliances. Also, make sure to buy Energy
Star rated kitchen appliances to ensure an energy efficient kitchen.
While meeting with your kitchen designer also discuss the sequence of events for
remodeling your kitchen. I preferably like to see new kitchen floors go in
first, after removing all of the old kitchen appliances and cabinets.
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This way you won’t effectively end up burying appliances and new kitchen
cabinets into the kitchen floor by ½ to ¾ of an inch. You’ll also get a better
installed floor since there’ll be fewer cuts required. In addition, you’ll
prevent the risk of damaging the new cabinets if the floor was installed last.
To protect the newly installed kitchen floor while the kitchen cabinets are
installed, simply install protective drop cloths or paper over the floor.
| In regards to kitchen flooring you have a lot of choices.
There is vinyl, linoleum, solid hardwood, engineered wood, and tile to
name the five most common kitchen floor types. All have their pros and
cons so it’s a matter of personal choice when choosing among your kitchen
flooring options. My two pet peeves with tile are that they are
susceptible to breakage and can be cold on the feet if under-floor heating
is not installed. If your kitchen remodeling plans include a new center
island that will incorporate a sink, special thought is required in how to
incorporate the plumbing supply, drain, and venting pipes.
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You might want to talk to a plumber in advance on whether or not a center
kitchen island with a sink is realistically feasible in your kitchen remodeling
plans.
Planning kitchen remodeling also involves assessing how you will complete the
project as quickly and as least disruptively as possible. If not planned out
well a kitchen remodeling project can leave you stranded without the ability to
cook in your home. Talk with your kitchen designer or kitchen remodeling
contractor to see if the flooring and cabinets can be installed back to back
over a couple of days. Often then a kitchen cabinet installer can install a
temporary plywood countertop, sink and faucet to allow you to use your kitchen
until the kitchen countertops and other kitchen design features can be
installed. If your kitchen remodeling plans are well thought out you should have
no more than a day or two without the use of your kitchen.
For more
help on remodeling your kitchen, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s
Kitchen
Remodeling Bid Sheet.
The
Kitchen Remodeling Bid Sheet
will help ensure that your kitchen remodeling project goes smoothly and you get
the finished kitchen you are
looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that your remodeled kitchen will be accomplished on time and on budget.
How to Finance your Kitchen Remodeling Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related information on Kitchen Remodeling
Additional Kitchen Design Resources
Kitchen Faucets and Appliances from Amazon.com
Kitchen Remodeling Price Quotes For FREE,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on kitchen remodeling from one of our prescreened and licensed kitchen
remodeling contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to
continue once you receive your kitchen remodeling price estimate.
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