A modern, high quality kitchen can increase your quality of life as well as add value to your home. This is a complete guide to renovating your kitchen, with everything you should take into account ahead of time.
There are a number of ways that you can make safety a priority, from switching off the main water supply, to hiring contractors who are qualified for the job.
The most important thing with your kitchen renovation should be safety, and you should prevent injuries by making sure that the correct protective gear is worn at all times during the demolition.
It is essential that you are following the correct safety procedures and that you get the building surveyed beforehand. This can prevent structural walls or supports from being removed to create more space.
Plumbing and electric fittings should also be considered, as there is a higher risk of increased costs and additional complications emerging if you decide to completely relocate the kitchen to another room in your house.
This is because their structure could be less reliable, so you should avoid making more substantial plans for your kitchen renovation if you live in a historic building.
For individuals that live in older homes that could be less structurally sound, it is worth saving more than you think you will need. This is because they are more likely to need additional work once the renovation project begins.
Another potential safety concern is the time spent living in a construction site. It could be worth temporarily relocating if the project is likely to take a longer time.
This is especially necessary if you or someone you live with suffers from respiratory issues. Avoid potentially making it worse by inhaling dust and debris.
Preventative measures are another necessary factor worth considering. Ensure that your newly renovated kitchen meets local building requirements, and that there is enough air flow through the space.
This can also be done by adding an extractor fan overhead or hidden within a counter. Prevent fires and other accidents from happening by integrating certain safety measures into your kitchen renovation.
Understanding that the layout of your kitchen can determine what you are able to do with it. Of course, more substantial renovations can give you more options when it comes to the layout of your kitchen.
It is worth considering how you will use a space, and what type of kitchen layout would work best for you and your family. Think about how much space is available, and whether your kitchen will be multifunctional.
Kitchen diner layouts, for example, need to work for different uses, and you could integrate similar textures, colors, or levels to make the whole room flow together a little more.
3D models and even drawings can help you see how you could make the most out of your space, and allow you to think about how you will be using the kitchen in the future.
Keeping essential cooking appliances close to each other, galley kitchen layouts are simple yet effective. The basic format mimics a production line, as the sink and food preparation areas usually lie along the same wall.
In terms of manual labor, plumbing and specialist help, galley kitchens are some of the easiest to install as the fittings run to roughly the same place in the room.
Galley kitchens maximize floor space because they are typically laid out with two parallel countertops. The name comes from the traditional design of galley kitchens that were seen in corridors and narrow walkthrough spaces.
Another frequently used layout for your kitchen could be an L-shape. The name comes from the rough shape of the floor plan, and additional counter space is made by extending the side of the cabinets towards the center of the room.
Cambridge Kitchen RemodelAn L-shaped kitchen is one of the more flexible designs because it can be as long or short as you like. Depending on the use of your kitchen, you could use this design to create a more open plan without compromising the counter space.
The leg of the L shape can be made into a seating area for your children to study while you cook, or you can adapt it into cabinets and storage space.
Smaller spaces or awkward shaped rooms benefit from units fitted against three adjacent walls because it can help maximize space while ensuring that there are plenty of storage areas.
There are two main ways that the U-shape can be seen. The first is fitting appliances and cabinets against three adjacent walls, which can make the most out of slightly smaller areas.
On the other hand, you could consider introducing extra seating areas or eating space if your kitchen is in a larger room that you want to section off.
The middle section of the shape will be fitted to the back wall, and the two extensions coming from either side do not need to lie against a wall.
These are widely regarded as the most modern and versatile layouts within many kitchens. You can add more counter space, storage, eating areas, or another social space by creating an island out of cabinets and extra materials.
These are widely regarded as the most modern and versatile layouts within many kitchens. You can add more counter space, storage, eating areas, or another social space by creating an island out of cabinets and extra materials.
You can add a kitchen island to a busy kitchen, as it can be a pivot space for multiple people cooking at the same time.
For smaller spaces, you could also find an island that is on wheels or rollers. This can allow you to move it away when you need to use the floor space.
It’s essential to save for your kitchen renovation ahead of time and ensure that you can cover the overall costs. This can help you avoid living with an unfinished kitchen or incomplete projects if you ran out of money midway through.
There are a range of financing options that can be negotiated to suit you and your budget. Depending on the desired finish and structural changes involved with the kitchen renovation project, your overall budget should account for this.
One of the best ways to make your budget stretch a little longer is to try and do more with what you have. This can be as simple as changing your kitchen layout based on the current fittings, or using up leftover materials and paints.
If you already have a relatively usable kitchen design that just needs updating, then you could think about giving everything a coat of paint rather than tearing it all out.
In terms of financing your kitchen renovation, there are plenty of loan options that can help you through the process. Depending on your credit rating and your current financial situation, it could be worth saving more than you think you will need.
Allow for hidden costs to arise during the project, and ensure that you have the means to cover these as much as possible with your savings or finance scheme. As a general rule, it is recommended that you add 10-20% to your total budget for unplanned expenses.
The processes that will consume a higher proportion of your budget include cabinets and hardware, installation costs, the cost of appliances, countertops, and flooring. While there is some natural variation with these, they tend to be the most expensive parts of any renovation project.
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