4 Things People Won’t Tell You About Renovating Your Kitchen

The kitchen has a special place in most homeowners’ hearts and is one of the most important rooms in the house if you’re trying to build value. This leads many to be tempted to renovate it if they feel the style might be slightly outdated. A lot of people might also be tempted to do the job themselves if they feel confident in their DIY skills. 

While kitchen renovations can be accessible to some, there are still many challenges a lot of people may not be aware of about this type of work. This is why you have to be thoroughly prepared before you tackle the job and make sure that you’re ready for anything. Here are some of the things people won’t tell you about renovating your kitchen.

Taking Out the Old Stuff Is Almost Half the Job

Most people will assume that putting new fixtures up will be the biggest part of the job and that tearing stuff apart is the fun bit, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Not only is taking stuff out hard work, but you have to be careful with how you go about it, especially if there are gas elements, complex ventilation, or plumbing. In many cases, you might want to work with a professional if you want to make sure that you don’t make some major mistakes.

If you need a tradesperson for a specific job like this, know that there are tons of services like LinkU.com.au that can connect you with tradespeople in your area. The way they work is simple. All you have to do is go to linkU.com.au, include details about the job, and you’ll be able to check out quotes from some of the certified contractors in their database. You can then pick the right one for you, and start working with them as soon as you’re ready.

You’ll Have to Make Do without a Kitchen for a While

You also have to get prepared for a life without a kitchen during the renovations. This is why it’s essential that you plan correctly. Make sure that you have a clear timeline of contractor deadlines, and arrange a backup kitchen space so you’ll be able to still make semi-decent home-cooked meals instead of spending tons of money on overpriced takeout the whole time.

Some Things Might Seem Simple, but They Really Aren’t

There are also some elements in your kitchen that might seem easy to install on your own but can get tricky. Adding light fixtures can be difficult if you don’t understand voltage and power safety. Even something like repainting cabinets can be tougher than it seems.

The kitchen is a unique environment, and elements in it have to face very different conditions than in other parts of the house. Cabinets have to be cleaned with a special degreasing agent, sanded, treated, then painted. And don’t expect to get professional results with rollers or a brush. To get nice looking cabinets, you’ll need to learn how to use a spray gun as it will be the only method that will give you that perfect finish. So, don’t assume that you can do anything on your own before you inform yourself.

Functionality Needs to be a Priority

Some kitchen models might look great on Pinterest, but are they really functional for you? Do you really need that professional stainless-steel hood in your kitchen, and do you even have space? Do you know if your duct system would even allow it? What about countertops? Marble and soapstone might be nice, but they require a lot of maintenance and might not always look their best, not to mention the fact that they could be well out of your reach and completely blow your kitchen’s budget.

Why not invest in things that would actually make the kitchen more comfortable to work in, like better countertop lighting, appliances, and storage? Not only will they actually make the kitchen better, but they are often much less expensive than purely aesthetic additions.

Another thing you could think about is installing a double-bowl sink. A lot of people will go for a single bowl sink for space, but a double-bowl sink can make a world of difference. If you like to hand wash dishes, having a double-bowl is much more convenient. If you like to cook, you could clean your vegetables on one side and use the other for draining. Or, you could leave one side empty so you can always have access to your garbage disposal. It’s small changes like this that will make your kitchen much more convenient and fun to cook in.

Renovating your own kitchen can be a great project and one that can be done if you have what it takes. However, it does demand preparation and planning, so make sure that you know exactly what you’re getting into before you start.

 

Collaborative post. Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash