Considerations for a Kitchen Remodel

“Ifa kitchen remodel is in your foreseeable future, it’s important to examinevarious considerations prior to work commencing,” said Paulette Sodemann, CKBR,Senior Sales Design Consultant with Callen. “This includes evaluating how longyou plan on living in your home, the desired size and layout of your kitchen,the functionality of the space, and the budget.”

Beforetackling a kitchen remodel, or any major home remodeling project for thatmatter, you need to establish your goals. “For instance, if you plan on movingout of your home within the next few years, your kitchen remodel could beplanned with resale value in mind,” said Paulette. To help ensure you attractpotential homebuyers, you’re encouraged to incorporate modern kitchen designtrends into the space. “Conversely, if you plan on staying put for five yearsor more, the kitchen should closely reflect your specific needs and wants,” shesaid. “Feel free to integrate the kitchen designs, trends, colors, and patternsthat resonate with you as well as compliment the rest of your home.”

Akitchen’s layout is dependent on the size of the space. For example, if yourkitchen is on the smaller side and you’d prefer to keep it that way, then it’svital to fully maximize every square inch of the space. Alternatively, if youplan on increasing the kitchen size, then you’ll need to contemplate tearingdown walls or adding on to your home. “Remember, don’t let your kitchen’scurrent layout restrict your choices. Oftentimes, certain features, such asdoors and windows, are not situated in desired spaces and can be moved, so thatthey better accommodate your needs,” Paulette said. “However, if you'd rathernot move these features, your kitchen plans will have to work around yourcurrent layout, but modifications are nearly always possible.”

Ifyou’re having difficulty deciding whether to keep or change your kitchen’scurrent size and layout, think about how you move through the space. Determinewhether or not your kitchen suits your cooking needs, if there is enoughcounter and storage space, if the space feels overcrowded when more than onecook is present, and if there’s a clear path from the cooking range to thesink. “Addressing such observations will help point you towards the appropriatekitchen size and layout best fitted for your style of living,” she said.

Inorder to establish kitchen functionality, you must first evaluate your uniquelifestyle. Ask yourself if you utilize this space primarily for cooking,dining, entertaining, other uses, or all of the above. Additionally, how wouldyou classify your personal cooking style – are you more of a gourmet chef orsomeone who favors easy weeknight meals? “Be sure to take into account how manypeople you cook for on any given day and how many cooks are typically in thekitchen at one time. How you use the space and the type of cook you identifywith reveals the types of appliances and features you’ll need,” Paulette said.Another route involves pinpointing items or features in your current kitchenthat you rarely use or see a practical use for, as these can be eliminated fromthe new kitchen plans.

Budgetis generally at the forefront of homeowners’ minds when discussing a remodelingproject. “It’s fine to have a wish list, but it’s crucial to be honest withyour design team in order to ensure the project falls within your means,” said Paulette.As an added measure, it is wise to include a little wiggle room in the event ofunanticipated events. “Depending on your home’s age and the extent of theremodel, there can be unexpected plumbing, structural, or electrical situationsthat require addressing,” she said. “For instance, outdated wiring may notsupport new appliances and lighting, so new wiring will need to be installed.”

Defining a kitchen as it relates to you and your family as well as determining the budget helps other aspects of a kitchen remodel fall into place. To be more specific, your needs and budget will greatly influence the kitchen’s size and layout, its functionality, and ultimately, the space’s design and style. “Not only does studying these considerations beforehand assist the kitchen remodeling process, but it also helps create a beautiful and functional space that is ideally suited for the homeowner,” Paulette said.