My OperaKitchen Remodel Tips
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 2:07:18 AM
Planning your kitchen remodel is important before you start work. There are many steps involved in the process and covering them will mean less chance of making a pricey mistake along the way or having your kitchen unusable for a long period of time.
One of your first steps when considering ikea kitchen cabinets is to ensure that the requirements of your household are considered. A young family will likely have different needs to a family with wheelchair bound members or those without children. Reflect on all facets of your current lifestyle as it will impact on your kitchen design. For example, it is quite popular today to open kitchens up to the adjoining rooms in the home, but this may not be ideal in a home where having a noisy kitchen contained is important.
Almost anything can be done to a kitchen – walls can be moved, plumbing can be changed and lighting can be re-routed. But remember, the less you spend on major structural or mechanical work, the more money you'll have to put into cabinets, flooring and fixtures. You might find it helpful to create a ‘must have’ and a ‘want’ list – the ‘wants’ to be considered if the budget allows.
In terms of the general costing out of your kitchen it makes sense to keep it relative to the value of the rest of your home. This is especially true if you plan to sell your home within the next couple of years. Some experts recommend between 6% and 10% of your homes value as reasonable.
Also remember, it’s not unusual to discover problems during a remodeling that raise projected costs. Allow at least 10% - 20% of your budget for surprises in order to avoid disappointment with your finished product. Naturally, the less structural work you are planning to do, the less you need to allow as a buffer. If you employ a professional to install your kitchen, they can help you come up with a figure.
Having sorted out the essential questions in regard to your kitchen needs, you can begin the design process. Many kitchen supply stores, like IKEA for example, provide online planning services. You can also prepare a simple drawing using graph paper to record accurate dimensions. Whatever approach you take, having a final plan drawn up – especially one with a 3D view will be an important step.
One of your first steps when considering ikea kitchen cabinets is to ensure that the requirements of your household are considered. A young family will likely have different needs to a family with wheelchair bound members or those without children. Reflect on all facets of your current lifestyle as it will impact on your kitchen design. For example, it is quite popular today to open kitchens up to the adjoining rooms in the home, but this may not be ideal in a home where having a noisy kitchen contained is important.
Almost anything can be done to a kitchen – walls can be moved, plumbing can be changed and lighting can be re-routed. But remember, the less you spend on major structural or mechanical work, the more money you'll have to put into cabinets, flooring and fixtures. You might find it helpful to create a ‘must have’ and a ‘want’ list – the ‘wants’ to be considered if the budget allows.
In terms of the general costing out of your kitchen it makes sense to keep it relative to the value of the rest of your home. This is especially true if you plan to sell your home within the next couple of years. Some experts recommend between 6% and 10% of your homes value as reasonable.
Also remember, it’s not unusual to discover problems during a remodeling that raise projected costs. Allow at least 10% - 20% of your budget for surprises in order to avoid disappointment with your finished product. Naturally, the less structural work you are planning to do, the less you need to allow as a buffer. If you employ a professional to install your kitchen, they can help you come up with a figure.
Having sorted out the essential questions in regard to your kitchen needs, you can begin the design process. Many kitchen supply stores, like IKEA for example, provide online planning services. You can also prepare a simple drawing using graph paper to record accurate dimensions. Whatever approach you take, having a final plan drawn up – especially one with a 3D view will be an important step.
