The Essential Kitchen Remodel Checklist

It can be overwhelming when you begin a kitchen renovation, especially when there is a lot to consider. To help, read the essential kitchen remodel checklist.

Are you ready to remodel your kitchen? It’s seen better days, and there are parts of it that just don’t work for you. Now’s the time to make changes, and make that kitchen perfect for your family.

Here’s the essential kitchen remodel checklist, to ensure you’re getting what you need from your new kitchen.

1. Plan a Budget

Before doing anything else, ascertain how much you can afford to put towards the kitchen remodel. The budget you have will affect your plans, so this needs to be in place first. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of cash, as you can still do great things with a limited budget.

When planning your budget, have an amount of cash set aside for emergencies. Your remodel should go to plan, but things crop up and you want to be prepared. If you remove cabinets and find mold growing behind them, for instance, then you want to have funds available to deal with that right away.

2. Decide What You’re Going to Keep 

Now you have a budget, look at what you want to keep in your kitchen. Depending on how much you want to spend, that could be a good amount of the kitchen. For example, are your cabinets in good condition, and are you happy with where they’re located? If so, then you may want to simply repaint them, rather than ripping them out and replacing them.

Once you know what you’re keeping, then you’ll be able to start planning what you’ll want to change about your kitchen.

3. Plan For Ageing in Place 

When planning a new kitchen, it’s easy to start by considering what you want right now. However, think about your future plans too. If you don’t have children, are you planning on having any? That will affect your perfect kitchen. Do you plan or staying in this home for a long time? That’s something else you want to keep in mind.

There are lots of guides for ageing in place, where homes are renovated with the needs of future you in mind. This is especially important in your kitchen. When you get older, you want to be able to stay independent. Many choose to add things like a lower countertop, where they can sit to prepare food. They also leave plenty of room between counters, so mobility with aids like a walker or wheelchair is easier. Keep this in mind when you’re planning your renovation.

4. Buy What You Need Rather Than Want

As you’re planning your new kitchen, there’s going to be all sorts of fancy gadgets available to you. You’ll walk around a lot of show rooms and see items you didn’t even know you could have in your kitchen. For example, smart items like fridges and washing machines are the new trend. While having the internet built in your fridge sounds exciting, is it something you really need?

Consider those items, and whether you need them or just want them. Will you use them a year into the future? Those new appliances will need more upkeep, so are you willing to keep up with that? Be honest with yourself, before you splurge.

5. Buy the Best Possible Quality

As you’re planning your kitchen remodel, you’ll be looking at appliances, as well as cabinetry and decorative options. The cost of these will all add up, so of course you’ll want to save money where you can. As you make those plans though, ensure that you’re buying the best possible quality that you can afford.

There are lots of budget options out there, especially for appliances, and they will look tempting. You’ll feel as though you’re getting more for less, but check those reviews first. They will tell you if the item is good quality, and whether it will last for a good long time. That bargain may look good, but if it needs constant repairs, it’s not going to save you money in the long run.

6. Plan the Layout

We’ve already touched on layout concerns when it comes to ageing in place, but you’ll also need to consider the layout in general. If you’re happy with the layout you have right now, then there’s no need to change it. You can use what’s already there, and update it. This has the added bonus of saving you money, as you won’t need to move plumbing or electrics.

The classic work triangle of the sink, refrigerator, and stove is the best place to start. These are the three areas that are used the most in your kitchen, so make it easy to access all three. Also, think about how you use the kitchen? Does more than one person work in there at once? Then you’ll want extra workstations for them.

7. Think About Space

The space you leave in your kitchen is important, too. You need enough space to move around and work, without bumping into things or each other. When you use a contractor to help you with your remodel, they will be able to advise you on spacing.

On average, you’ll need to leave around 30 to 48 inches of floor space in front of cabinets so you can easily open them and walk around them. The direction the doors swing is important too. For example, if your cabinet is next to a wall, the door needs to open in the opposite direction. If not, you may not be able to access that cabinet.

Finally, consider the walkways, especially if you have a kitchen island. There needs to be around 42 inches between the counters and the island. This allows for people to walk around it, without interrupting those working at the counter.

Conclusion

When you have all these things in mind as you’re planning, you’ll be sure to make your kitchen remodel smooth and stress-free. Plan ahead, and ensure you know exactly what you want from your remodel before you get started. If you do, you’ll soon have your dream kitchen and a layout that will last for years.