Is your kitchen floor stained and cracked? Are the countertops marred with
burn rings and chips? Is the floor plan of your kitchen awkward and
ill-designed? If so, it may be time to consider kitchen remodeling. Updating
your kitchen can not only enhance the kitchen alone, but it will also increase
the value of your entire house; not to mention, kitchen remodeling can be an
exciting process that calls upon your creativity. Remodeling a kitchen does
require a bit of patience, but the end result will be a kitchen you love and are
proud to share with family and friends.
Kitchen remodeling runs the range from small upgrades, to a full-scale luxury
remodeling venture. Small upgrades could include changing the hardware on your
cabinets, refacing the cabinets, or replacing them. Or perhaps you might want to
replace that scuffed floor, or resurface your countertops. Such simple changes
can make an enormous difference in your space. However, a full-scale kitchen
remodel is going to result in the most satisfying changes for your home.
Begin your kitchen remodeling by making extensive notes about what you want.
Think about what works and doesn't work in your current kitchen. Look through
magazines or scan the internet for kitchen remodeling ideas. You might want to
make a file of designs and products you like. Don't hold back at this point-make
a note of everything you might want to include in your kitchen remodeling. Next,
draw up a budget. This is when you match your beautiful ideas to what you can
afford. You might be surprised how much you can get for your money, or the
compromises you can make that will still afford you an elegant, functional
design. At this point, you may also want to contract the services of a designer
or space planner. They can be enormously helpful with your kitchen remodel, and
point out products and design ideas that might not have occurred to you.
One of the most important decisions you will make is hiring a contractor, so
take your time and do some research; call up friends to see who they recommend.
Visit home improvement stores or local remodelers to get a feel for what kind of
kitchen remodeling projects they specialize in. Share your vision with the
professionals you are considering. Take the time to check references. Pay
attention to whether or not you feel comfortable with the contractor. Does he or
she listen to your ideas and respect what you are creating? A contractor-client
relationship for a kitchen remodeling is like a short-term marriage, so make
certain yours will be a happy one!
Finally, prepare yourself and your family for the disruption that occurs with a
kitchen remodeling project. With pre-planning, this can be minimized, but some
is inevitable. Discuss the time frame with your contractor and share this
information with your family, so everyone is aware of how long the construction
will take and what to expect. In a very short time, all memories of any uproar
with the kitchen remodeling will be forgotten and you'll be enjoying your new
kitchen.
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