7 Essential Factors to Consider When Planning a Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen is one of the most-used parts of the home, so it should come as no surprise that it is also one of the most popular areas for renovations — even if a kitchen remodel tends to be among the more expensive home improvement options.

In fact, according to HomeAdvisor, the average kitchen remodeling project costs approximately $150 per square foot — or $24,174 for most normal-sized kitchens. Even a relatively low-scale remodeling project that involves upgrading the kitchen sink, refinishing cabinets, repainting walls, and adding a tile backsplash can easily exceed $10,000.

Whether you’re upgrading your kitchen to increase its style and functionality for your own enjoyment or you’re hoping to increase your home’s resale value, proper planning is essential for ensuring that you get your money’s worth from this project. Here are a few crucial factors that you should be mindful of when planning for a kitchen remodel.

1. Know What You Can Afford

budgeting

As with any home improvement project, you should always start by carefully considering what you can and cannot afford for your kitchen remodel. Of course, you can also look for ways to cut expenses so that you can make more of your desired changes to your kitchen. Home equity loans are also available to help you fund the renovations.

One good rule of thumb is to consider how long you plan on living in your home after you remodel it. Generally speaking, the longer you plan on staying in the home, the more it is acceptable to spend. This is because the new upgrades could actually help you avoid repair and maintenance expenses later on, and you will get more personal value from large-scale changes because of how much you’ll use them. If you plan on moving shortly after the renovations, a smaller facelift will be the more cost-effective option.

Another factor to consider for saving money is whether there are certain tasks you can take care of yourself. While many elements of a kitchen remodel — such as replacing countertops or installing new plumbing — are best left to the professionals, other tasks could be safely performed on your own. Repainting the walls or even installing a new faucet are tasks that can often be handled by the homeowner.

You should also be mindful of the potential for unexpected expenses that pop up during the work. Mold, leaky pipes, and other serious maintenance issues are often discovered during a kitchen remodel. These will add to your total renovation costs, which can be problematic if you aren’t prepared. Allocating up to 20 percent of your budget for such mishaps will help you stay financially on track.

2. Evaluate the Layout & Workflow

kitchen remodel

One common area that is evaluated during a kitchen remodel is the room’s layout. While revamping the kitchen layout can dramatically increase the total costs of the renovation, it can also make a big difference for the kitchen’s usability.

To create an effective kitchen workflow, you should primarily focus on what is referred to as the “work triangle.” This is the area that includes the stove, refrigerator, and kitchen sink. These are the busiest areas of the kitchen. When preparing a meal, most kitchen users will go back and forth between these three areas.

As such, the ideal layout will minimize how far you need to go to get from one part of the work triangle to another. You don’t want to trek to the opposite side of the kitchen to get from the refrigerator to the sink. If the current layout is not conducive to convenient cooking, it is likely worth working with a designer to see how you can change it.

Of course, these changes can significantly add to the cost and complexity of your kitchen remodel. Moving the sink or stove will require major adjustments to the plumbing, electricity, and/or gas lines. Because of this, it is generally best to leave your kitchen layout as-is if it already has an efficient work triangle in place.

3. Prioritize Convenient Storage Solutions

shelves

While upgrading the look of the countertops and cabinets can vastly improve your kitchen’s style, you should also be mindful of ways that you can add to your storage and work surfaces. This is especially true of smaller kitchens, which can quickly become crowded when you start running out of room for storing plates and utensils.

Even seemingly small add-ons can help provide meaningful expansions to your kitchen storage space. Pantry pullouts and lazy Susans will make it easier to access items inside your cabinets. Many kitchens have unused space in the corners that could be converted to additional cabinet shelving.

Unexpected and underutilized areas can also be converted into additional storage space. For example, the toe kick underneath your cabinets could actually be converted into a small drawer for lesser-used items. Or you could mount a spice rack on the inside of a cabinet door. You could even add storage shelves under the kitchen sink. Reducing the empty, wasted space in your kitchen will ensure that you have plenty of room for your stuff.

Amidst all the storage upgrades, you should also consider the possibility of expanding your available counter space. The countertops are an essential work surface, and extending their area — even by a tiny amount — can streamline many kitchen tasks. This is especially true if you add a kitchen island. The additional countertop surface and storage cabinets make this an ideal way to create more space.

4. Be Mindful of the Home’s Overall Scheme

modern home

As exciting as a kitchen remodel may be, it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. While you’ll naturally want to make sure that all the design details of your kitchen tie together in a cohesive manner, you should also make sure that the upgrades will be cohesive with the rest of the home.

After all, having an upscale modern kitchen while the rest of the house is old and outdated will create a strange contrast. This is especially true if you are planning to sell the house.

This doesn’t mean that you should avoid investing in a kitchen remodel because you’re worried that the rest of the house won’t look as nice. However, taking the overall scheme and style of your home into consideration can help guide you with additional remodeling decisions.

For example, if your home’s architecture is more rustic, then you would want the kitchen upgrades to reflect that look, rather than an ultra-modern style. Using similar materials that are found elsewhere in the house as a guide can help create a more cohesive look.

Kitchen renovations also present an opportunity to evaluate other portions of the house. Even if you don’t have the budget for major remodeling, repainting neighboring rooms, upgrading the lighting, or buying new furniture can help the rest of the home better reflect the changes you’ve made in the kitchen.

5. Don’t Neglect Appliances & Other ‘Minor’ Details

Cabinets, countertops, and flooring tend to get most of the attention when planning a kitchen remodel. However, the seemingly minor details of new appliances and updated faucets and sinks should not be ignored. 

In fact, HGTV recommends, “You should choose your kitchen layout first, then choose appliances that fit. If you fall in love with a side-by-side fridge, will you have room for two wall ovens and a cooktop? See, there are compromises.”

When selecting appliances, be mindful of the features that will best address your performance needs. Do you want to replace your microwave with a range hood for better ventilation? Is a double oven going to help you with meal preparation? The appliances you choose could very well impact the cabinet and countertop installations that will work best for your kitchen.

Similar ideas apply to choosing a kitchen sink and faucet. For example, an undermount kitchen sink will typically need to be installed first, with the counters then placed on top. If you choose this type of sink, you will want to choose a durable, high-quality option, as future repairs or replacements would require removing the countertop to get to the sink!

The kitchen backsplash is sometimes overlooked in the midst of more practical upgrades, but it can greatly enhance your kitchen’s style. Tile backsplash is a popular choice, as are using slightly different shades of the same color. Choose a design that will blend well with the cabinets and countertops for a stylish outcome.

6. Look For Quality Lighting

kitchen remodel

Lighting is another “minor detail” that can dramatically impact how you perceive the kitchen. Quality lighting helps the kitchen feel more open and inviting, and can also make it easier to take care of meal preparation.

One way to enhance your kitchen lighting is to install touch lighting underneath the cabinets. This task lighting will enhance visibility when chopping vegetables or taking care of other tasks that require a bit more visual focus. Upgrading to LED fixtures can improve your energy efficiency. Dimmer switches will also give you greater control of lighting throughout the day.

While adding a new window or skylight is a more costly way to improve kitchen lighting, this is often a necessity in older houses. Many older homes only feature a small window above the kitchen sink, which can cause the room to feel dark and dreary. 

Letting in more natural light during the day with a larger window will make the room much more pleasant. Quality lighting will enhance the rest of your kitchen upgrades, allowing you to more readily showcase and enjoy them.

7. Find the Right Team For the Job

remodeling contractor

A kitchen remodel is one of the more complex home improvement projects you can undertake, which means that regardless of the scope of the work, you will likely need help from a professional. Of course, you should be mindful of the level of assistance you need. Some contractors provide design consultations, while others only assist with the execution of the work. 

Your first step is to create a shortlist of remodeling contractors who seem to best fit what you are looking for. Check local listings to find contractors whose list of services cover what you need for your project. Look at online reviews, certifications and licensing information, warranty coverage, and the number of years the company has been in business to identify quality candidates.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential contractors, you should meet with three or four candidates to get a better understanding of their process and a written estimate. Consider factors such as compatible communication style and a timeline that works with your remodeling needs to find the right match. While pricing is important, you want to be sure that your chosen contractor will deliver the desired results before signing an agreement.

Getting the Most Of Your Kitchen Remodel

Upgrading your kitchen can be an expensive undertaking, even if you’re only performing a few minor renovations. However, a well-planned and executed kitchen remodel can greatly improve your ability to enjoy your home. 

After all, the kitchen is much more than a place where you prepare meals. Depending on your home’s layout, it may also be where the family gathers for breakfast and where the kids do homework after a long day at school. Even if you don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen yourself, giving this area a facelift can make a positive impression on potential buyers when the time comes to sell your home.

At Kitchen & Bath Authority, we’re here to help make your kitchen remodel more affordable with a fantastic selection of kitchen faucets and sinks, as well as other accessories that will enhance the style and functionality of your kitchen. 

Even better than a wide selection, however, are the amazing discounts we offer on products from top brands like Brizo and Delta. Some of our faucets are available for as much as 64 percent off MSRP, allowing you to literally save hundreds of dollars on these individual kitchen upgrades. With free shipping and available financing to help you save even more, we’ll help you be able to afford the kitchen of your dreams.

Don’t let yourself be stuck with an ugly kitchen that doesn’t match your lifestyle. With a little help from Kitchen & Bath Authority, you can start making the upgrades you need.

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