The kitchen is the busiest room in the house and for most families, the kitchen is a social meeting place in the mornings and early evenings, as well as a place to prepare food. If the time has come to revamp your kitchen, here are a few tips from a kitchen renovator.
- Take your time with design – You should see the kitchen as a bare space and you are not tied by plumbing access; a little plumbing or electric work is all it takes to move major appliances; you could lose your old sink unit and replace it with an elegant black double sink with gold faucets and marble worktops. If relocating major appliances is a good idea, the extra cost will be negligible and you can make the best use of available space.
- Seek several quotes – If you are using a local bathroom renovation contractor, why not ask several companies to quote? Let each pay you a visit and compare layouts, suggestions and prices, then you are in a position to make an informed decision. If you give the contractor your budget, most can work to that and insist on the quote being ‘all-inclusive’.
- Consider luxury vinyl flooring – Not only is luxury vinyl inexpensive but there are also some stunning finishes in timber, stone and slate; it comes in tile and plank form and is extremely durable, making it ideal for kitchens. Vinyl can be installed on any substrate and is very easy to work with.
- DIY solutions – If you have the skills, the time and the tools, why not save a few hundred dollars and do the work yourself? There are online suppliers of brand-name kitchen appliances and furniture and they offer trade prices to the DIY-er. You might not be feeling too confident, as the project is a boot above your skill levels; don’t worry, as there are 100s of YouTube videos showing every step of a kitchen renovation. We might as well take advantage of digital tech by watching professionals carry out the work and there’s a lot of satisfaction when you finish a kitchen renovation project. Here are a few kitchen upgrades to consider this year.
- Ventilation & airflow – Every kitchen needs ventilation, which can be provided by a couple of extractor fans, one at each end of the room; set one to suck out the air and the other one to bring air into the room from outside. If you are installing a copper canopy, make sure you have adequate suction to remove cooking smells.
- Bespoke storage – Whether wall or floor-mounted, custom-made cabinets can make the best use of alcoves and recesses; the last thing you want is a cluttered space and there are many small appliances and cooking utensils that need to have a place in the kitchen. Why not go handleless? This seamless look is very popular among Australian homeowners and it is easy on the eye.
There is a lot of information online regarding home improvements, which might help you to prepare for the project.