Kitchens are among the most heavily used spaces in homes. It’s no surprise that it also suffers from much wear and tear. Renovations are sometimes required to improve their form and function. Homeowners can do this themselves to save money and test their skills. They could also get help from professional contractors for convenience and guaranteed results. Below are the usual steps for completing DIY kitchen renovation projects:
1. Create Your Design
Start by sketching your design on paper. This could be as simple as a line drawing of the floor area drawn to scale. Consider what you will remove and what you will add in. You could find inspiration from blogs and magazines, but the final design should ultimately suit this particular space and your unique needs.
2. Gather Your Tools and Materials
List down what you need and take an inventory of what you already have. Fill the gaps as soon as you can. Consider using power tools to speed up the process. Use protective gear like work gloves and eyewear. Find a dedicated work area in your home for all of the cutting, mixing, and other messy work. Buy the materials using your estimated quantities and store them in a protected area like the garage.
3. Prepare the Space
Before you can add and install items, you will first have to remove what you don’t need. Clear the area by moving the contents of the cabinets, the appliances, the furniture, and anything else that doesn’t have to be there. You could also tear down the walls and the built-in storage units that you no longer want. Sweep, vacuum, and wipe the surfaces afterwards.
4. Fix the Plumbing
Start with the hidden yet vital parts of the kitchen. If there are any plumbing issues, then fix them right away. This is your chance to deal with the leaks and the corrosion. If the pipes are in bad shape, then perhaps it’s time to replace them. Make sure that the joints are sealed properly. You can also update the faucets and the valves to higher quality fixtures.
5. Improve the Lighting
Now turn your attention to the electrical system. You could upgrade the junction box if you plan to add a lot of appliances and lighting elements. You should also inspect the wiring and fix worn out sections. Replace old bulbs with power-efficient LED lights. There should be adequate ambient light for the whole kitchen, as well as task lighting for high-use spots like countertops and islands.
6. Paint the Walls
Think about how you want your walls to look like. If it’s a small kitchen, then consider painting these white along with your cabinetry to make the space seem larger. You could also opt of lighter shades of any color you prefer. If you want a bit of pattern or texture, then look for suitable wallpaper. Take this opportunity to paint the ceiling as well.
7. Install the Flooring
Once the top and the sides of the kitchen are done, you can finally install the new flooring. Remove the old surface cover and clean things up. Use the proper tools and techniques for your preferred floor material. Make sure that everything is level. Leave this to cure for at least 24 hours before walking on it.
8. Add the Cabinets and Hardware
Bring back the cabinets and install more if you want to. Growing families will always need more storage space. Maximize any idle space on the walls. Hanging cabinets are excellent for doubling the capacity. You can also repaint the cabinetry and replace the handles with more modern designs. Consider adding battery-powered LED lights that you can tap if you need to check the contents of cabinet sections.
9. Install the Countertop and Backsplash
The parts of the wall that are near heater or moisture have to be covered in tiles, natural stone, glass, or other durable materials. The counters should be similarly protected since these are the main work areas for chopping, mixing, and organizing items. Marble and granite are popular but wood, concrete, and stainless steel are also viable with proper treatment.
10. Add the Appliances
For the final touches, install your appliances at their assigned slots in your floor plan. Connect them to the plumbing or electrical system as necessary. Test them if they work before moving on to the next machine.
Design Considerations
1. Size
When making your kitchen design, consider the size of the kitchen and make sure that every single item will fit in their assigned area. Check the specifications of appliances and readymade furniture before you order them. Bring out your measuring tape and triple check your plans.
2. Layout
Think about your usual workflow in the kitchen and make sure that you place items at their optimal spots. For example, you should separate the stove and the refrigerator for the sake of energy efficiency. The dishwasher should be near the sink. If there is an island or a table at the center, then provide at least 3ft of clearance from other items for ease of movement.
3. Storage
The storage compartments should be enough for the needs of the family with allowance for growth. Make sure that every square inch is optimized. Add drawers whenever possible as these provide easy access to items at the back of the compartment. Add hooks, dividers, and other ways of organizing items.
4. Light
The kitchen should be bright enough to work in whether day or night. If possible, enlarge the windows for more natural light. Distribute lighting elements for even spread instead of relying on a single source.
Recommendations for Choosing Contractors
A DIY kitchen renovation is great for experienced individuals but not so much for novices. Hire the professionals from SF Kitchen Renovations if you want to finish the project faster with a high standard of quality. Get estimates from at least three different contractors and get detailed breakdowns for better comparisons. Learn more about their past projects and see if their results pass your standards. Ask about guarantees on their work including deadlines, costs, and future repairs. If you don’t have many leads, then ask friends for their recommendations. Find out about the quirks of each candidate so that you know what to expect if you hire them.
