Homeowners love their kitchens. They spend more on kitchen remodeling than any other improvement or home addition. Kitchens are vitally important to the home, and many homeowners choose a kitchen remodel as their preferred room makeover. A kitchen remodeling project brings value to the home that may pay for itself, with a return on investment of nearly 73%, on average.
To make the most of your home addition or remodeling project, note the following tips:
Plan ahead
Planning ahead will help you stay on budget, and it can help minimize the frustration of the mess created by the remodeling effort. It is recommended to plan ahead by at least six months.
Be realistic when it comes to your appliances
You may be tempted to get the top-of-the-line commercial grade stove and oven range when you don’t really need one. Keep in mind space limitations, design needs, and cost. Research the appliances that will best fit your lifestyle.
What’s your kitchen or room’s footprint?
Changing wiring, plumbing, and knocking down walls will take time and money not afforded by your budget or expectations. Keep major appliances on the same walls that they are now. This will help cut down on construction mess frustration, on unforeseen problems, and cost.
Let there be light
Lighting is a home’s best-kept secret. Lighting can make a room look larger and brighter. Considering your kitchen, lighting under the cabinets will serve design and functionality. Add enough lighting so that shadowing is not a problem. Recessed lights work well over food preparation areas and pendant lighting works well with islands and counter areas without lowset cabinets. Flush-mounted ceiling lights and track lights give a soft ambience to your kitchen. Installing dimmer switches will give you control over the ambience created by these lights.
Think about the benefits of quality
You want your kitchen or other room remodel to be useful and to last years. Do not fall for “bargains” on lower quality merchandise. You’ll want products that are low maintenance and covered under a solid warranty.
Establish good communication with your remodeling contractors
Drop in during work hours so that they’ll see that you care about the project’s progress. Create a message board or a place to exchange handwritten notes for the times you cannot be there. Share your email address and mobile number, so that your contractor will be able to contact you easily in the event of a problem, or simply to share with you progress toward completion. Last but not least, be kind and generous to your remodeling contractor. You want to afford them the honor due a professional, and your generosity of spirit, if not edible goodies, will let your contractor know that you are not in charge of the project, you are the concerned end user.
If you keep in mind these helpful tips, you’ll be confident that your remodeling project or home addition will give you satisfaction for years to come. Next, plan a finished remodeling party for family, friends, and neighbors.
