SAMANTHA GUIGUE
Guest Blogger + Design Consultant – Kingsmill Kitchens Port Hope, Ontario

Have you ever caught yourself thinking your kitchen looks outdated, lacks storage space, or is not functional? If the answer is yes, then the thought of a kitchen renovation has crossed your mind. Whether it is aesthetics or function that is driving you to the edge of a renovation, here are some tips from the pros at Kingsmill Kitchens & Baths to help you be prepared to transform your kitchen into a space that is both gorgeous and functional.

1. Your Lifestyle: It’s often said the kitchen is the heart of the home – your lifestyle is the key to unlocking a perfect design to your kitchen. There are lots of things to consider when it comes to your lifestyle. For instance, how many people are in your household and do you foresee any additions to this household in the near future? Do you like to entertain? How many people help in preparing meals? How often do you grocery shop? Do you purchase bulk food items to freeze, or do you prepare preserves with fresh produce from you garden? What types of small appliances do you use? Do you recycle or compost? All these elements ultimately determine how you use your kitchen, and how you use your kitchen will determine the ideal layout for functionality.
2. Budget: The average kitchen renovation varies in cost, and it all comes down to what you’re looking to achieve in the space. A lot of clients walk into the showroom with little idea of what a renovation will cost them, but it is important to determine what type of renovation is within your budget.
3. Design Options: Whether you are spending $10,000 or $80,000, you want to make sure you are exploring all options for your space. Exploring possibilities for your space will ensure that you feel satisfied with your newly updated space. Working with a certified designer will ensure that you have explored the potential of your space – giving you confidence in your final design.
4. Design: There are a lot of little details that come into play during a kitchen renovation, and it all starts with the design. Every decision you make during the design will impact your finished project. Do you have your heart set on incorporating a particular piece of furniture into your space? You want to make sure it fits well in your space so that it looks good and flows well. Is someone in your household a person living with limited mobility, or use a wheelchair or walker? There are universal design standards which your designer will adhere to when designing the space to be functional for everyone. Other details, such as thickness of countertops or solid surface slab sizes or even the type of hardware will have an impact on the function and the flow of your kitchen.
5. Long-term Goals: How long you plan on staying in your home will largely impact how you design your kitchen, and how much you plan on investing in your renovation. One of the big debates in renovating one’s kitchen is whether to design the space for yourself or to cater more to resale value. Individuals renovating for themselves may select bolder, personalized options while someone focused on resale value may select a palette which is more neutral.
6. Experience: Have you renovated your kitchen before? Kitchen renovations can be well-orchestrated projects, or unorganized disasters. Knowing what to expect when you are renovating your kitchen is important for successful projects. While everyone likes to have control, are you prepared for something unexpected? Working with a certified kitchen designer, design firm or skilled and reliable tradespeople will ensure you have support for those unexpected hiccups that inevitably occur on the job site.
7. Dependable Trades: During a renovation, you will have new faces walking through your door. For instance, you will likely require a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and tiler, just to name a few. Having a team of reliable, honest and professional tradespeople will make a big difference in your renovation experience. For example, if a contractor opens up a wall and finds mold, they should bring this to your attention in order to address it rather than ignore it and cover it back up. You should feel comfortable with the team working in your home and ensure that they have your best interest in mind.
8. Focusing Your Options: It will feel like there are a million little decisions to be made during a renovation. What colour cabinets? What type of countertop? What colour of countertop? What type of flooring? What colour of flooring? What kind of sink configuration? What height of faucet? What type of backsplash? What colour grout? What type of lighting? What colour hardware? Where do you drill for hardware on doors? What door style? A skilled designer will help you narrow down your choices by showing you colour palettes for your space. You can also do some homework on Houzz.com, but be careful not to get lost in the wormhole of options…
9. Plan Ahead: TV shows about home renovations depict home owners designing, gutting and completing their kitchen project in under 60mins, sometimes even under 30mins. The reality is: renovations take time! Renovations also require a lot of thought and decisions. Make sure you are planning ahead of time in preparation for your renovation. Don’t expect to be able to start the project within a week of starting your research.
10. Spend Time on your Design: Take the time to look over the design in detail and consider yourself living in your space. Are you planning on trimming back on the design to save money? In most scenarios, people add them back in once the project starts moving along. If this is not an option for you, consider holding off on the renovation to save your money. If you feel passionate about the design from the start, have faith in it and see it through.#Local #KingsmillKitchens #LakelandResidential #DreamTeam

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