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You cannot win the war with an empty stomach. The daily routine of your rat race will kick-start only after a healthy breakfast and a good night’s sleep at the end of the day will not come without a scrumptious dinner. When food is the source of your energy, why not pay more attention to the kitchen renovations? The kitchen reflects our lifestyle. It accommodates our cooking needs, provides space for dining and storage. Renovating a kitchen certainly adds value and functionality to a house but it requires careful planning. Any remodelling can get out of hand, in terms of size and cost, if ground rules are not set. So, let’s take a look at some ground rules for renovating a kitchen.
To-Do - For Kitchen Renovations
A good renovation will address some key variables like size of the space, budget, sunlight orientation, home plan, building condition and owner’s lifestyle. Based on these variables following factors are considered-
Experiment with Layout
In kitchen renovations, you should always be open to try out new and different convenient layouts with respect to the position of the window(s) and door(s). Obviously, windows and doors will remain fixed but that should be a hurdle for renovation. Allow natural light to come in and try artificial light fixtures where natural light is scarce. Try U-shaped or L-shaped kitchen islands so that you can move about conveniently.
Make sure the kitchen counter can accommodate more than two persons for cooking when required. The sink should be easily accessible from the counter. If you are renovating the shelves too, utilize the wall space properly according to each square foot.
Incorporate Proper Infrastructure
The kitchen renovations should be done according to the age of the kitchen i.e. you cannot go for heavy-duty renovations for old kitchen. Check out the electrical wiring and plumbing system with the help of a professional before making any major changes in terms of appliances, lighting and sink installation. Always install the electrical fixtures, pipes and other appliances, drawers and shelves after inspecting the condition of the wall and overall building.
Spend According to Your Lifestyle
Your budget for kitchen renovations is directly related to your lifestyle i.e. how frequently you use the kitchen. For an avid cook, prioritizing the appliances required on a regular basis is important while for those who cook less extensively, not many appliances and kitchen island is needed.
The more intricate design you incorporate, the more complex installation is required and the more you have to spend. You can spend up to 6-10% of the home value for the renovation, which will be a realistic investment in the long run.
Choose Appliances and Cabinets Sensibly
Extensive commercial range of appliances not only requires large space but also complex ductwork, wiring, plumbing and making alterations on the wall. During kitchen renovations, check whether the floor can withstand a heavy appliance and whether the wall is strong enough for new wiring and pipe system.
The electrical work should be done according to the national standards of safety. The placement of the cabinets needs to be done with relevance to the dishwasher or microwave oven as these appliances are of significant size.
Don’ts- For Kitchen Renovations
While remodeling the kitchen, you should never ignore the floor and condition. Saggy floors and crooked walls need to be straightened out first. Also make sure you do not miss the schedule of renovation and set up a temporary system with necessary appliances for the time being.
Do not do kitchen renovations all by yourself unless you have engineering, electrical and plumbing skill.
Do not overlook storage spaces where you can set up more drawers and cabinets.
Do not leave grease, carbon and other deposits on kitchen islands, light fixtures, exhaust pipes and blades.
Do not go for cheap-quality appliances, tiles, and other materials used in the kitchen as those will wear off easily.
Do not skimp on proper lighting or choosing fixtures without dimmer switches.
You do not need an upscale design if you do not wish to spend much time or money on maintenance. At the same time, investing in cheap renovation will affect the look and functionality of the kitchen.