Is it time for a kitchen redo?
Every morning you roll out of bed, pad your way into your kitchen to kickstart the old coffee maker into action, and survey the scene: outdated cabinets. A nice countertop but worn from years of culinary abuse. A cluster of appliances more irritating than your mother-in-law's opinions on your hair. And--dear Lord--linoleum, in 1974 brown.
You'd love nothing more than to gut the whole thing and welcome a whole new kitchen. But keep in mind, there's a massive leap between freshening up and remodeling your kitchen. It's a bit like the difference between stopping at the auto shop for a car freshener on your way home and driving out with a brand new Mustang.
You need to pinpoint the real problem, if we can call kitchen discrepancies as such. Do you just need a fresh coat of paint, some new dish towels, and cleaner windows? Or do you require a whole new kitchen? Do you need new countertops, cabinetry, and floors? How's the ceiling and the light fixtures, come to think of it?
It's easy to get lost in the kitchen reno rabbit hole. You have to draw the line somewhere, usually because of space or budget concerns. You may also be faced with the issue of spousal disagreement on just how much you need to change. We have a way of dealing with that, by the way: Who is the primary kitchen user? We recommend making the task of reno decision-making a 70/30 split, in favor of the one who uses the kitchen most often. Sounds fair enough, right?
So, once that conversation is out of the way, let's look at those main areas to consider before you go whole hog into kitchen reno mode.
What You Should Know Before Renovating Your Kitchen
Don't overburden your budget.
Determine what you really need, like really need. How much of your original kitchen are you looking to replace? What is most essential and what is the balance between practical and aesthetic concern?
Instead of creating additional space, which requires a per-square-foot cost, you can essentially nab space from an adjacent room, closet, or hallway. Repurposing the space and materials you already have can be the difference between a few hundred dollars and a few thousands.
Can your appliances be left in their original location? What about plumbing and gas lines--and can you reuse what you have without replacing it? This will free up cash to put towards the most expensive parts of a kitchen remodel--the cabinets and countertops.
Shiny surfaces look fab far less often than you hoped for.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but shiny surfaces are a double-edged sword. When they're kept brand-spanking spit-shined, they're positively pleasing to the eye. However, you know what goes on in a kitchen! Food spatter, water marks, dog hair, smears from greasy little hands--dust doesn't even have a chance to settle. But when it does, it too robs stainless steel and mirrored surfaces of their sleek n' sexy appeal. Whomever is after a mirrored kitchen island must either have an incredible housekeeper or be an incredible housekeeper! Polishing is an everyday burden, that is unless you like manually elbow greasing your kitchen! If metallic is an absolute must, then save it for the appliances or kitchen cleaning music perhaps?
Is there an opportunity for small-space solutions?
Small kitchens don't have to be a total nuisance. Instead, they can inspire creative minds into making a masterpiece out of tight spaces. When optimizing your small kitchen space, you can start small (no pun intended) with budget-friendly options, or hit a home run with some more ambitious changes. Pocket doors, roll-away countertops, subway tiling, and a mobile island can save you major headache, but be prepared to invest.
Go wholesale only if you're handy.
The attraction to grab wholesale materials for your kitchen reno is rife with risk. Buyer and wannabe builder beware! Don't take on this task unless you truly know what you're doing. I've heard far too many kitchen reno tales that saw those involved literally throw themselves and their romantic ideals into a kitchen remodel that ended in a total botch job.
This DIY thing is only DIY if you know what you're doing. The same way you wouldn't drill and fill your own cavities, we strongly suggest that you please don't tear out your old kitchen cabinets and reorganize the layout without expert help (read: not IKEA). Think about it this way: buying wholesale kitchen reno materials doesn't save you money if you have to pay someone to fix your "handiwork" in the end. While I don't want to be a naysayer and I fully support anyone inspired enough to tackle such a task, I strongly suggest doing your homework before going all in.
Cabinets are not only cosmetic.
Who doesn't want new kitchen cabinets at least once a year? Unfortunately, we can't change our cupboards like we change our underwear (hopefully that happens more often than once a year!). Kitchen cupboards account for about one-third of the entire cost of a kitchen remodel, so make sure you do it right the first time because those cabinets are going to be around for a long time.
It's easy to get roped in by pretty cupboards. Indeed, it's incredible how common sense just flakes away like dead skin, aisle after aisle in a home reno store. We become mesmerized by kitchen cabinetry that checks every box except the one labeled functional. Note: space for canned goods and slidable drawers are not features of great kitchen cupboards--they're necessary givens. Snap off those rose-colored glasses and put the hairy eyeball to the job.
Are the cabinets you've fallen in love with constructed from plywood or particle board? Particle board is far less moisture-tolerant than plywood, and it has less holding power with hardware, including glue. It also won't withstand weight or wear and tear as well as plywood. Ensure that the cabinets you choose have heavy full back panels too for greater durability and ease of installation.
Hinges too are a critical consideration. Want to save yourself from shock and unnecessary startles? Get soft-close, 6-way adjustable steel hinges. I can't stress this enough. Six-way accounts for in-out, up-down, and left-right, which is essential for the natural expansion and contraction that occurs during seasonal changes.
Second Thoughts?
If the budget is tight and kitchen remodeling isn't in the near future, there are tons of ways to clear cramped spaces and make that small kitchen a little more liveable. Check out our blog DIY Kitchen Storage & Organization Ideas For Small Kitchens for some great ideas.
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From our kitchen to yours, enjoy that kitchen reno project!
Yours truly,
The Priority Chef Family
