A kitchen remodel is a great way to increase your home’s value, get more out of your kitchen, and create a space worth spending time in. That said, remodeling a kitchen requires time and proper planning—mistakes can be costly! We’ll discuss the do’s and don’ts of kitchen remodeling with you so you walk into your project with a clear head and a structured plan. Moreover, hire a kitchen remodeling contractor to help answer questions and design a kitchen you’re guaranteed to love.
Whether they want to discuss kitchen remodeling financing or the various kitchen design ideas we have up our sleeve, Monarch Design & Remodeling is the design and remodeling company Annandale, VA, homeowners count on. Our founder and chief designer, Gina Simpson, has 20+ years of experience with kitchen, bathroom, and whole house design and construction and a passion for creating beautiful spaces. To learn more about our kitchen remodeling process, contact us at (703) 789-3288 or visit our website today.
Below, we dive into the do’s and don’ts of kitchen remodeling:
Why Get a Kitchen Remodel?
Such a project modernizes your kitchen into something beautiful yet functional. A remodel is a fantastic way to achieve your culinary goals, allowing you to optimize your kitchen layout for what works for you. Install new countertops, lighting, and professional cooking appliances to transform your space into one that’s practical and eye-catching.
Moreover, a kitchen remodel can incorporate various design elements to improve its comfort: windows to optimize airflow and natural light, a kitchen island that increases available surface area, and more. Kitchen remodeling companies can deliver excellent results with the best customer service to give you a kitchen you’ll cherish for years.
The Dos of Kitchen Remodeling
- DO outline your budget before work begins
One of the most integral parts of your kitchen remodel is your budget. The best time to figure out your budget is at the beginning of your journey before you make any design decisions. Discuss your budget with the people you live with to ensure you don’t go over or severely under budget—you want to get the most out of your project! Indeed, affordable kitchen remodeling is a call away with Monarch Design.
- DO extensive research
A beautiful and functional kitchen remodel begins from hours of research, planning, and comparing ideas. Look at the websites of local kitchen remodeling contractors, as most of them should have portfolios of past projects.
See what you like and dislike about certain kitchen aspects. Can your house fit an island? Is your home too old for particular plumbing projects? Look around the internet or ask friends who’ve had a recent kitchen remodel.
- DO weigh your needs against your wants
Although it may be difficult, classify your project’s “needs” and “wants.” For example, new kitchen tiles are a “need” if you have cracked ones, but a massive kitchen island is a “‘want” in a kitchen with ample counter space. The latter could put you over budget. Make a list of all the additions you’re interested in, and differentiate between those you want versus need to ensure you stay under budget.
- DO plan your layout
Before ripping out design features, determine how you want your kitchen to look after the renovation. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning what new features you want to include, you want to ensure your kitchen is functional and easy to navigate.
Consider your layout—what aspects can change, and what can stay the same? Figure out what works and what doesn’t. Moreover, speak to the professionals working on your kitchen to get input on your layout.
- DO ask questions and get project estimates
Better safe than sorry, especially when removing old features to make space for new ones. When researching your kitchen remodel, you might find diverse project estimates. Instead, reach out to the experts for a clear sense of pricing. You can also ask them questions about appliances, layout, budget, and so on. A contractor can visit your space and give customized advice about your project.
The Don’ts of Kitchen Remodeling
- DON’T be close-minded
Like many things in life, keep an open mind to the possibilities of a remodeled space. All your ideas probably won’t fit in the room or your budget. Moreover, not everyone will share your vision. Don’t be afraid to get advice from others and shift the course if something doesn’t work out. Don’t let your expectations give you tunnel vision!
- DON’T follow trends
As enticing as they may be, avoid embracing trends. Basing your entire project on what magazines and social media say you should do to your kitchen can lead to dissatisfaction with your result. Instead, consider the trendy colors, schemes, or design features as options rather than inevitabilities. Open yourself to many channels of inspiration. And remember, it’s your home!
- DON’T forget to incorporate storage
Storage is critical in every room, especially the kitchen. Smart kitchen design tailors storage to fit items used in specific areas. Lucky for you, there are hundreds of storage options to browse! Some affordable kitchen storage ideas include:
- Floating shelves
- Freestanding shelves
- Open-shelf cabinetry
- Shelf risers
Moreover, a strategic storage space makes a small kitchen feel bigger and less cluttered. Prioritize storage planning.
- DON’T think in 2-D
A beautiful kitchen is nothing without functionality. When planning your new space, consider the size and direction of doors, appliances, and cabinets to ensure you design a claustrophobic kitchen. Remember that fridges and ovens need wide clearance and that you need room to walk around and between countertops!
- DON’T waste space
Wasted space is a wasted opportunity. Ensure your kitchen remodel plans don’t leave dead space within the room. You don’t want to walk a mile to make breakfast in the morning.
Add a nook, extra storage, or appliance in the gaps of your kitchen. Remember that most remodeling projects increase your home’s value—use that to your advantage!
Kitchen Remodeling Contractors for Annandale, VA, Homeowners
Whether you’re looking for a kitchen facelift or a complete remodel, the Monarch Design & Remodeling team can handle the job. Our kitchen remodeling contractors use high-quality products and offer energy-efficient options no matter the project. We put our Annandale, VA, customers at the heart of everything we do. For a free consultation to discuss your kitchen remodel, call us at (703) 789-3288 today.