How to Plan Your Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen remodeling might seem like a simple project at first glance: Just replace everything in your old kitchen with new materials, update all the old appliances, and make sure you have lots and lots of money to manage all those purchases.

Many people focus on cosmetic updates without really looking any deeper. That isn’t always a bad thing if you basically like the kitchen you have.

Deciding which color scheme to use and whether to go for a Tuscan décor with lots of artisan tile or a sleek industrial kitchen filled with stainless steel and black glass is certainly one important part of a remodel. Knowing how you actually use your kitchen and what would make the space more functional is in some ways even more important.

Homeowners often overlook the following considerations when planning a big remodeling project. Taking some time to think basic some issues through can lead to some a new kitchen that really works, instead of an update that is purely cosmetic:

• How do you use the kitchen? Of course you cook in it, but who does most of the cooking? What do you cook? Do you need room for more than one cook at a time? Do you need room for guests or kids to sit and chat while you cook? Do you entertain frequently? Are you isolated, standing over a sink and then a stove all by yourself while the family is somewhere else in the house waiting for food? Do you have enough space to prepare food?
• Do your kitchen workspaces form a triangle? The classic, most functional kitchen design is set up so that if you draw a line connecting the sink, stove, and refrigerator, it forms a triangle. If this pattern isn’t evident in your current kitchen, you are probably wasting steps and tripping over things unnecessarily. Setting up your workspace triangle by rearranging the placement of your sink, stove, and refrigerator to form that functional triangle should be your very first task when designing your new kitchen.
• What special features would help? Kitchen islands with an overhang and barstools are popular because guests can sit at them and chat. Also you can cook and work on your kitchen island or even use specialty appliances set into them like grills or bar sinks. If you don’t have a dishwasher, now is the time to plan to include one. How about a double or triple sink? A raised faucet for spaghetti pots? Built in appliances you always wanted can also be included right in your design.
• Do you need more kitchen cabinets? Selecting cabinets requires a lot of thought and a lot of shopping. If you have the space for more cabinets, your choices are many and can make a huge difference in how neat and functional your final kitchen will be. Do you need a computer station or desk for bill paying? A wine rack? A pantry or special storage unit for oddly shaped pans and appliances? What kind of cabinet finishes do you like and how quickly will they become dated? Oddly, modern cabinets often look ‘dated’ much more quickly than classic designs.
• Do some pricing. If you plan to do most of your remodeling work yourself, price out your kitchen carefully. You may find that you can’t afford to do everything at once, but if you have a plan you will know where you have to start. Maybe your first move will be gutting and rearranging the major elements to make your kitchen functional, and the specialty touches will have to be added later. Maybe the appliances will have to come first.

Only you will know what your remodeling priorities are, but if you start with a functional, carefully considered plan for your kitchen, you are more likely to eventually end up with the kitchen of your dreams instead of a kitchen that is just better looking and good enough.

Even a basic, budget kitchen remodeling is a very expensive proposition. At the high end you can easily spend $50,000 or even more on a new kitchen, so resist the urge to jump in quickly. Take all the time you need to plan, price, shop, and ask lots of questions and you’ll end up with a kitchen that really works.

About the Author:
Scott Gray is currently a handyman enthusiast who enjoys providing tips to consumers and homeowners. For more information about home improvement projects, tips for choosing the best cordless drills for your home and reviews about belt sanders be sure to visit everydayhandyman.com.