Important Remodeling Advice to Help Get You Started
You've made the big decision to finally update your home and you think maybe you'll start in the kitchen. Now what? To make sure you spend your hard-earned cash wisely, start by looking at the bigger picture and ask yourself some important, financially-based questions. What is your longtime goal for your home? Do you plan to sell it in a couple years, stay for several years then move on, or, perhaps stay and "age in place"? Answering these questions and more can lead you down a different path when designing your kitchen.
Have you thought about the ROI (return on investment) so you don't overspend for your neighborhood? Remodeling Magazine publishes a “Cost vs. Value Report” every November, which can be very helpful when setting some realistic budget figures based on both mid-range and upscale projects. Of course, the report is an excellent source for giving you the percentage of ROI for most home remodeling projects
OK, so now you've done your financial homework and made some informed decisions. You're ready to start working on your kitchen plan, right? Well, not quite yet. Time to ask yourself some more important questions about your entire home, not just your kitchen.
First, does the existing configuration of your home work for you? Would your home function better if you opened up that wall to the dining or living area? Do you need to add more square footage to the kitchen by reconfiguring an adjoining room or closet? Will the same flooring be used throughout your home, so you may need to purchase all the material now and install the rest of it in the next phase? Would you like direct access to the outside from the kitchen? It's much easier and less expensive to look at the big picture now than wished you had later.
Using this same comprehensive thoughtful process, take a good look at your existing kitchen space. Start asking yourself how your kitchen is really working for you. Realize you have options, as the current configuration can be changed. Items such as the appliances don't necessarily need to go where they are now or be the same size. Perhaps the cabinets can be reconfigured to suit your needs better. For example, drawers are easier to use for pots and pans than shelves. Organizational inserts from companies like Rev-A-Shelf can be utilized to maximize the space available to you. Also, keep in mind that doors and windows can be moved if the gain offsets the cost. Of course consulting with a professional designer can help you think of things you wouldn't necessarily think of, but this gives you a good start.
Having a comprehensive plan ahead of time, takes time. But, it forces you to make thoughtful unpressured decisions. You are less likely to make mistakes or wish you'd considered another option for something when it is too late or too expensive to correct. With the right plan your project can give you a greater ROI, run more smoothly and will be more likely to stay on budget.
