Planning is the key to a successful kitchen remodel

Renovating your kitchen is one of the best ways to update your home. It transforms the kitchen into a beautiful, efficient, and pleasant place where you can enjoy breakfast with your family, get the bills done, and share delicious meals with your loved ones.

As soon as you decide to do a kitchen remodel, it’s time to start planning. However, how does one plan a successful kitchen renovation? Belmont Restoration shares some tips and ideas to get you started.

How Long Should You Spend on Planning Your Kitchen Remodel?

It is recommended that you spend at least six months on the planning stage, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. This is because:

• Prevents random design changes during construction, which may increase the remodeling cost
• Helps you plan your renovation budget
• Gives you time to set up an alternative cooking space while your kitchen is being remodeled
• Makes the renovation more efficient
• Allows you to prepare for other expenses like new kitchen furniture and equipment
• Lets you select the best timing for the renovation
• Gives you time to shop around for great deals on your remodel

You will generally have a smoother kitchen remodel if you take your time planning. Furthermore, it helps you avoid stressful surprises and allows you to develop contingency plans in case renovation issues arise.

In the long run, six months is not too long for you to ensure that your kitchen renovation project goes smoothly.

Essential Planning Tips for Your Kitchen Remodel

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the things you need to do? You should include the following things in your remodeling plan to help you organize it:

Take exact measurements of your existing kitchen.

You should take precise measurements of your walkways, doorways, counters, and other parts of your new space to ensure everything fits.

Study your ideal traffic patterns.

Consider the flow of traffic in your kitchen to create a safe and efficient atmosphere. As an example, leave a minimum of 42 inches between work aisles. Make sure your work aisle is at least 48 inches wide if there are multiple cooks in your household.

Prioritize ergonomics.

Improve the ergonomics and accessibility of the kitchen. Pull-out shelves, lazy Susans, and drawers in base cabinets, a wall oven versus a range, or adjustable counter heights are just a few examples.

Leave room for the unexpected in your renovation timeline.

Do you want your new kitchen ready by Thanksgiving? Schedule everything to be completed by Halloween. Big projects like a kitchen remodel are bound to have issues. You can put the unforeseeable into perspective while ensuring that everything goes according to plan when you factor in those hiccups.

Select your materials, fixtures, and other materials before starting the project.

Plan your kitchen’s fixtures, furniture, color palette, and other elements in advance. Creating a realistic budget will minimize delays caused by backorders.

Finally, consider consulting a professional designer when you’re planning a major kitchen renovation.

Prevent These Common Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes

Taking the time to plan out your kitchen remodel meticulously achieves another important goal – avoiding expensive remodeling mistakes.

In order to avoid errors that would derail the project and cost more than you intended, you want to avoid them as much as possible. The following are some common remodeling mistakes that you can avoid if you plan ahead:

• Failure to consider the kitchen workflow

A kitchen’s sink, stove, and refrigerator are its three busiest areas. The mistake of placing them side by side is common in DIY renovations. Make a triangle out of them to create a more efficient workflow.

• Putting Off Selecting Appliances

The appliances in your kitchen should fit perfectly between your cabinets. You need to take exact measurements to decide how your storage and appliances will be organized. Establish a concrete schedule in your project timeline for this part of the remodel.

• Changing Your Mind Too Often

Your contractor should not start remodeling until you are completely satisfied with the plan. In the middle of the construction, changing your mind causes frustration, unexpected expenses, and delays. Allow yourself plenty of time to consider all of the options.

• Forgetting About the Details

Most homeowners are too busy choosing paint colors, flooring, countertops, and appliances. We often forget the little but equally important details like cabinet pulls and backsplashes in the kitchen. You can prevent this by going over every aspect of the kitchen during the planning process and developing a checklist.