Kitchen Planning Tips

Once you have decided to remodel your kitchen you need to start doing some kitchen planning. Remodeling a kitchen is a large undertaking, and better planned in stages to give time for thought and research. I’ll go into that later.  Depending on your skill level you may want to hire a professional to do the work

Kitchen planning begins by assessing your needs

You should begin kitchen planning by discussing changes and improvements with your spouse. Review your kitchen with a critical eye and note what needs to be changed or updated. How do you use your kitchen? Does your kitchen need to accomodate several people at a time entering into the cooking and prep process?Make notes listing what you want to change or add, and make additions as you go along.

The next step is to make up a rough drawing to be further refined. Make a drawing that demonstrates the size and shape of your kitchen. Graph paper is more defined but any paper and a ruler will do, and then make yourself a few copies. Now with your copies made, you can take one and fill cabinets and appliances in where you think you want them placed. Take accurate measurements and note them on your rough plan.

Kitchen planning requires updated and accurate information

Now that you have a rough drawing and measurements, it is time to take it with you and do some comparison shopping. At this point you have developed some idea of your wants and it is time to see what is currently available. Since this will be a new kitchen, you want to be fully aware of new improvements in appliances, materials, cabinetry etc. so your freshly remodeled kitchen will be right with the times. Leave your credit cards at home and make this a research venture only, and note prices and measurements as you shop.

Home improvement is a large industry with a lot of competition.You’ll find this an advantage as you shop, and note price differences from one supplier to another. Once you have done some serious comparison shopping, taken measurements of any new cabinetry, appliances or anything which consumes floor space, and collected information on models and pricing, you are ready to move to the next increment and make a serious plan.

Determining a budget factors into kitchen planning

The kitchen planning process will probably take you some time. Now that you have gathered more and updated information you can begin making some decisions about how to proceed. Budgeting for your kitchen remodel will likely take some time in order to provide enough without going beyond your means.

This might be the place where you want to discuss whether you are willing to reuse items you currently have.
 
For instance:

 1. Would refacing your cabinets be a satisfactory and cost-effective decision?

 2. Do you just have to have a solid surface granite countertop or could you be happy with granite tiles?

 3. Would you be willing to keep your current refrigerator, or forfeit some deluxe features in a new range in order to work the solid granite countertop into your budget?

You may not have the same questions as the examples noted here, but you get the idea.

Kitchen planning is not wasted time even if you plan to hire professionals. Providing a good plan will prove beneficial should you hire a contractor. With this, workmen or your contractor will better understand your wants and needs.