Planning the Scope of Your Kitchen Remodel
The kitchen is the heart of the home – where cooking, entertaining, and even doing homework happens. Ideally a kitchen should be functional, efficient and inviting. But maybe it has lost its charm, or it needs better storage; or perhaps your family life has changed and you don’t use it in the same way as before. All of these are good reasons to consider a renovation project.
Keep in mind that homebuyers look at the kitchen first – a bad one may turn them off, while a good one may entice them to pay more. A well-planned kitchen remodel can definitely increase the value of your home.
A kitchen remodeling project can be complicated and a little intimidating, and you may worry about how much it will cost. That’s why it’s important to start by planning the scope of your project. Learn more in this Lowe’s video:
The first question you need to consider is, “What do you want out of your kitchen?” Look at the kitchens of friends and neighbors and get ideas from magazines, the Internet, home shows and home improvement stores. Save pictures and brochures and keep notes. Think about your kitchen layout, appliances and features, style and color, and budget.
You do not need to spend a lot of money to renovate your kitchen. You have three options (listed below from the least to the most expensive). If you are considering a renewal or renovation, it it recommended that you hire professionals.
1. A kitchen refresh may be as simple as painting the walls and cabinets and getting new hardware. If you can spend a little more, you can replace the plumbing and lighting fixtures, flooring, countertops, or in-stock cabinets. This type of project can be done in phases and can be DIY.
2. A total kitchen renewal involves gutting your existing space and replacing cabinets, countertops, fixtures, flooring, and perhaps the appliances. You may even change the basic layout.
2. If you have a large budget and plan to stay in your home for a long time, you can go all out with a major renovation and install top-of-the-line cabinets, flooring, appliances, and countertops to create your ultimate kitchen.
