Getting Started on Your Kitchen Remodel: It’s as Easy as 1-2-3

INTERIORS: Getting Started on Your Kitchen Remodel

If you find yourself cursing your kitchen counters and running out of cabinet space, you might be ready to remodel your kitchen soon. Sure, it may seem like a bit of a daunting process, and yes, you may find yourself eating takeout for a little while if you’re really redoing it. But having a new  kitchen can add resale value to your house. Not to mention, having a beautiful, functional kitchen that suits your every need will give you peace of mind. Here are some tips for getting a start on  your kitchen remodel. May you never bump your head on an awkwardly-placed cabinet door again.

1. Find your style:  This is the fun part! Now you get to scour the internet and home design magazines to get ideas. Determine whether you want a classic and traditional or modern kitchen, or some combination of different design elements and styles. Think about color schemes, cabinet styles and countertop options. Once you have an idea of what you want your new kitchen to look like, you can look for a designer, contractor or architect to help you turn your vision into a reality.

1414 S. Penn Square in Philadelphia

2. Budget and Plan: As with any project, you need to know how much you can spend before you fall in love with that Carrara marble countertop. Think about the scope of work —are you just replacing the appliances and giving it a new look, or are you adding on to it, moving the sink and creating an opening into a different room? Create a wish list of everything you want and determine what’s necessary and what’s extra. It can be helpful to put together a spreadsheet with your spending goal and estimated costs, so you can see how much is left for the fun stuff.

3. Lay it out: Once you have an idea of look and budget, you’ll want to come up with a schematic design. This means thinking about the floor plan and use of space. This is very important because no matter how nice your countertops are, a poorly-designed kitchen will not serve you well. If you’re seeking professional help —and many people are—you’ll want to work with the designer or contractor on this part. This will help you figure out space requirements and help further determine the cost of the remodeling project.

Gather some inspiration from the beautiful kitchens at 1414 S. Penn Square in Philadelphia and 95 Brownsburg Road in New Hope.