It is finally time to redo your kitchen, you have stared at it long enough, and that old look has got to go. So now that you have made the decision, what comes next? The first thing you need to know is what kind of budget will you have. Kitchens can be improved incrementally, or they can be totally redone. The sky is the limit. But you can keep the expenses in check if you take your time, collect your thoughts, research the materials and appliances, and find a contractor that understands your goals.
- Collect Your Ideas: On the home renovation shows they always make a point of explaining that there is a deadline. This is just a gimmick to create drama. Take your time and your kitchen will wait while you get your plan figured out. At the beginning, the best thing you can do is cruise the home improvement stores and search the Internet. Look at everything that is available. Make a folder on your computer and save all the images that are relevant. After a while you will see what your true tastes will be obvious. After that, eliminate whatever doesn’t work and make some decisions.
- Find the Materials: Sometimes we see things on the internet that look great, but they are not available in your area. If you are looking for a certain kitchen, stone benchtop. You will likely have to find a close facsimile. This is not the end of the world, just an adjustment. You are still at the creative stage. A good idea to help everything come together is to find an element you love and base everything else around it. Like a particular type of flooring, or a countertop material. Make a definite choice and let that be your guide for the rest of your decisions.
- Find the Appliances: The look of your kitchen is important, but your choice of appliances will affect you daily. You don’t want to make any mistakes here. Buy quality, but don’t get sucked into expensive labels. Research your appliances on the internet and find out how your choices compare to other models. Lots of money can be saved here.
When you have it all worked out, then it is time to pull the trigger. Find your contractor, makes sure he is picking up what you are laying down, and then start to buy your items. Pro tip, sometimes your contractor can get your items cheaper than you can. See if you can work a deal.