There’s no question that the kitchen is often the heart of every home as its where your family and friends gather for home cooked meals, homework and family meetings, so it should radiate warmth and comfort. If your kitchen is outdated or the appliances are mismatched, consider yourself in the market to renovate your kitchen. A smart kitchen remodel will enable you to change the room’s aesthetic while upgrading and implementing practical elements to make it your dream space.

Like any upgrade, before you consider how to renovate your kitchen, it’s wise to have a thought-out plan to make the necessary arrangements to stay within budget and on schedule. That said, your to-do list to renovate your kitchen depends on the extent of the renovation and the budget you set. From large to small kitchen renovations, the decisions you make should be methodical in planning and implementation as a smart kitchen should last a lifetime. What to know before you renovate your kitchen can be daunting for sure, but like any successful upgrade in your life, there are tried & true practices to keep in mind.

WHY DO A KITCHEN REMODEL?

Unlike other rooms in your home, a kitchen remodel needs to be handled differently depending on your ultimate vision. If you are planning to sell your home, a kitchen remodel should increase the property’s value, or if you plan on staying in your home, renovating the kitchen could make it the ideal space to host your friends and family.

If you plan to do a kitchen remodel to sell your home, our interior designers recommend simply fixing the problem areas – like upgrading the cabinet doors, adding new countertops, and changing some of the appliances without focusing on a complete kitchen renovation overhaul.

If you plan is to remodel your kitchen for your own use, then you have more options to work with including rethinking the layout, adding new cabinets, swapping out the countertops, investing in new appliances, lighting and more. The goal of your renovation should be to create a customized kitchen catered to your style and needs. And as always with a kitchen remodel, it’s imperative to keep in mind how you use your kitchen, and how you can get more from the space in general.

Once you’ve established the purpose and vision of your kitchen renovation, defined your budget, and have a basic plan set in place, we suggest bookmarking this page as a resource to utilize Décor Aid interior designers kitchen remodeling tips for everything you need to know before you start to focus on how to renovate your kitchen.

DECIDE ON A KITCHEN REMODEL BUDGET AND ESTABLISH A TIMEFRAME

Whether you opt to do a small kitchen refresh or a full-scale kitchen remodel, it’s fundamental to begin with a set budget and precisely what your kitchen renovation will involve. If you plan to remodel your kitchen and then sell your home, consider touching up the most important aspects, as this is not a space you will be using daily once you move. On the other hand, if you are renovating your home’s kitchen for your own family, then the budget and timeframe for the renovation will help guide you on the remodel of the kitchen.

DECIDE IF YOU’D LIKE TO KEEP THE EXISTING LAYOUT OF YOUR KITCHEN

When renovating your kitchen, think about the exciting possibilities a renovation brings. One of the options things to consider in an extensive renovation is changing the kitchen’s existing layout. Have you always wanted a larger fridge or a breakfast nook, been annoyed at limited counter space or found the lighting too clinical? Now’s the time to consider and address issues and goals by adding them to your list of things to be done while planning the remodeling of your kitchen.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE THE KITCHEN SINK AND THE REST OF THE PLUMBING?

When doing a kitchen remodel or gut renovation of your kitchen, keep in mind that it’s more than just aesthetics you’ll be upgrading. If your kitchen layout has been the same for a long while, it could be worth changing the position of the sink or adding a center island with a built-in sink that will open up more possibilities. If you are considering this, be sure to factor in the cost of consulting a professional about moving the plumbing.

CREATE A KITCHEN THAT WILL BLEND AND FLOW WITH THE REST OF YOUR HOME

Something to account for when remodeling the kitchen is that you have the freedom to make it your own and create a space that flows well aesthetically with the rest of your home. If you are aiming for a particular style and color palette throughout your home, a kitchen remodel is the perfect way to incorporate your chosen decorating style and make the space blend with the other rooms of your home to reflect your personality and lifestyle.

CHOOSE APPLIANCES THAT SUIT YOUR LIFESTYLE

Are you a morning coffee person or maybe a smoothie lover? Consider what you do daily in your kitchen when you renovate by selecting the kitchen appliances suited for you and your family’s needs. When renovating your kitchen, you can replace the old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones that will optimize your kitchen’s space and make it the perfect tailored kitchen for you. Tips and advice on how to renovate your kitchen and implement new appliances can be found online, along with lots of images of completed renovations that will inspire you to want to update and renovate your kitchen.

PLAN HOW MUCH STORAGE YOU WANT (AND NEED)

USE FUNDAMENTAL MATERIALS THAT CAN BE UTILIZED IN VARIOUS WAYS

When you renovate your kitchen with unlimited funds and space, picking appliances and materials is easy; how to renovate a kitchen on a tight budget or in a small space can prove more of a challenge and require some tried & true tips. For fail proof kitchen remodeling, our designers recommend using multipurpose materials, invest in the appliances you will use the most often (do you need an expensive kitchen mixer if you don’t bake?), and aim to utilize as much of your old kitchen as you can.

ASK FOR PROFESSIONAL HELP

Since renovating your kitchen isn’t a simple task, you want to be sure to get it right the first time. Our interior designers recommend seeking professional help that can offer the best experience in cabinetry, construction, architecture, and interior design for renovating your kitchen. You’ll see how much the investment is worth when you start working on your professional kitchen remodel as a dedicated designer and project manager will save you time and money with their know-how.