Renovating a kitchen is one of the most exciting projects you can undertake in the home. It’s often seen as the heart of the home and there are endless opportunities to express creativity and personal style.

However, it can become an expensive, time-consuming and stressful job if not planned correctly. Breaking down the process into smaller steps will make it more manageable.

Read on to find out our suggestions on how to renovate a kitchen.

 

How to set a budget

Before you can plan the project fully, you need to know what you can afford. Start by using these tips:

Set a spending limit

Create boundaries from the outset so you know how much can be spent. Look at the amount you have saved for the renovation and see what you can buy within that amount.

Budget for each section

Breakdown the total budget into each section of the kitchen. This includes flooring, tiling, cabinets, appliances and worktops. This will allow you to source from different suppliers and possibly save money.

Budget for appliances

Whether it’s a new over, fridge or smaller worktop appliances, these costs can quickly add up. Focus on essentials first ahead of luxuries. If old appliances still work, consider keeping them.

Removing the old kitchen

This can easily be forgotten as a cost. You can earn some money back here if old cabinets are in good condition. Old fridges and cookers can also be taken away by suppliers of your new ones.

 

Starting from scratch

If your plan is to take everything out and start from the ground up in the kitchen, here are the best steps to follow:

Demolition

Don’t take a gung-ho approach to this step, as tempting as it is. This will involve removing the cabinet doors and the units. Taking out the doorway and window trims. Turning off the source power to take out appliances and lighting fixtures. Also, take off the wall panelling if needed.

Design

Style is everything in the kitchen. Look around online to find inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest and similar sites will really help. Find what you want without forgetting the working triangle – the space between the oven, sink and fridge. This also includes looking at fixtures and appliances that will suit the new design.

Building work

Hiring contractors will be unavoidable for some tasks like plumbing and electrical wiring. This should be factored into the budget. It will allow you to get a better plumbing system and new lighting in the kitchen.

Décor

Using drywall is a great way to create a surface that is smooth and ready to be decorated. You may be able to do this yourself and then you are ready to paint the walls and ceilings. Paint the walls before any cabinets are installed. If needed, you can always touch up the paint after they’ve been fixed into position.

Finishing touches

Countertops can go in next. Give it a few days to settle into place as it takes heavy stone a little while to slot in perfectly. A backsplash can then be added around the worktop. Then it’s a case of installing the appliances, taps onto the sink and any handles that need to be fixed onto cabinets and drawers.

 

Giving your kitchen a facelift

Not everyone has the money or time to renovate their kitchen from scratch. Here is an overview of the steps to follow to give your kitchen a makeover:

Replace cupboard doors

A cost-effective measure is to paint the cabinet doors to give them a new lease of life. For wooden doors always use a primer. Self-adhesive plastic film wraps instantly change the aesthetic of cupboard doors and there are a wide range of styles to choose from. Plus, they are very easy to install. Alternatively, you can change the door handles, which is a small change that has a big visual impact.

Replace counter tops

Countertops take up a lot of space in the kitchen and go a long way to dictating the style of décor. Buying worktops can be expensive, although composite options are more cost effective. If you go for pure stone like marble, or a traditional wooden countertop, they will look sensational but cost a lot more and require higher levels of maintenance.

Paint walls

This is one of the simpler courses of action you can undertake. A splash of paint on the walls instantly transforms the kitchen space. If it is too dull and dark, brighten up the walls with a neutral colour that complements the worktops and appliances. This is useful if you do not receive too much natural light into the room. The great thing about painting is it can be reapplied as often as you want to do it.

Invest in new plates and crockery

Buying a new set of plates and crockery to go with your spruced-up kitchen is another small way to modernise and refresh the space. If you have glass cabinets, it can add colour that complements the surrounding décor. Even when the plates and crockery are in use, you want them to feel like part of the room. A good rule is to use opposite shades, so if the kitchen is darker in colour, go for lighter looking crockery and vice versa.

Update lighting

If the lighting is too bright, or you want more control, you can install new lighting systems in the kitchen to create a new look. The effect it has on a room can be quite remarkable, helping to make a room seem larger, or smaller, if required. Under cabinet lighting is a popular addition to make, as are kitchen pendant lights or spotlights. Install a dimmer system and you can turn the light level up and down whenever you need.

 

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