If you ever plan a gathering, party, mixer, or cookout, no matter how pleasant your outdoor setup is, you will almost always end up entertaining everyone in the kitchen. For centuries, the kitchen has been the heart of a home, and the tradition continues to this day. Regardless of the size of your home or the condition of your kitchen, the kitchen will forever remain the epicenter of your daily life.

Considering this, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the kitchen is probably the first space you remodel during your home renovation process. However, it isn’t just this but also the fact that a new kitchen adds more value to a home than any other remodeling project.

A kitchen remodel is, however, not as easy to tackle as it sounds. There are many components that go into designing and executing a new kitchen, which makes it all the more challenging to make this project successful.

That said, if you’re looking for guidance in regards to how to get started on a kitchen remodel, we’re here to help!

Here are a few things to consider when deciding how to start your kitchen remodel.

1. Answer a Few Critical Questions

Before you hire any remodeling professionals, there are a few critical questions you should ask yourself.

• What is the purpose of the kitchen remodel? Do you want to upgrade its depleting surfaces? Do you want to improve the functionality of the space? Or are you simply ready to make a change?
• Do you want to increase the resale value of your house?
• Are you trying to design your kitchen to meet your current lifestyle?

These questions barely scratch the surface of why people opt for a kitchen remodel. However, the point is that questioning why you want to remodel your kitchen can help you list down the objectives of the project, which is imperative for successful execution.

2. Allot a Budget

All kitchen remodels cost money. In fact, due to the various components involved, remodeling a kitchen can be quite an expensive project. Therefore, it is vital for you to have a clear idea of how much money you’re willing to spend on the project.

The average cost of a minor kitchen remodel that entails a new sink, faucet, flooring, countertops, appliances, stock cabinets, and paint can cost over $24,000.

A major kitchen renovation project that comprises a new island, new appliances, custom sink, semi-custom cabinets, flooring, paint, and new lighting can cost around $70,000 or more.

A major top-of-the-line remodeling project with high-end items and customized components can cost over $130,000.

Set a budget and follow it closely depending on the type of remodeling you want to opt for. Also, don’t forget to account for contingency funds since remodeling projects almost always end up costing more.

3. Set Your Objectives

Having a clearly defined set of objectives is crucial, especially for a major project like a kitchen renovation project. Make sure to have a few goals in mind before you begin your project. The best way to start about this is to ponder over the questions you asked yourself at the start of the process. The answers to these questions should be your objectives!

Make sure to maintain a list of these goals and keep them with you throughout the duration of the project, especially during the planning stage when you’re shopping for materials and fittings. It is important that you learn to prioritize your objectives and tasks, so that you know which goals are crucial to accomplish and which are negotiable.

The main reason behind doing this is that kitchen remodeling is expensive and you probably want to manage it within your budget. So, in case, any foreseen circumstances arise, you shouldn’t have to let go of the goals for which you started the project in the first place.

4. Plan Your Kitchen Layout

Geometry is an important component of any kitchen remodeling, especially if you’re changing the current layout. In this step of the process, you must properly plan the design layout of your kitchen to determine which feature or component will end up where. This is especially critical if you need to add or alter electrical outlets or plumbing.

Consider this: relocating your sink in another area of the room will require you to move the pipes and plumbing, adding to the labor cost. Moreover, this is something that must be done before the installation of cabinets, flooring, etc.

The point is that it is essential for you to decide how you want your new kitchen to be laid out and have a strategy in place for where each element will go.

5. Plan, Plan, and Plan

As you deal with your kitchen renovating project, you’re going to make a lot of decisions and choices. In fact, we’re sure that you’re going to make so many selections that you’ll eventually get tired of choosing. However, each of these choices you make is going to determine the final outcome of your kitchen. You must carefully assess, plan, and select each and every component of your kitchen to maximize your budget and timeline to get your preferred result.

It is integral to pick your appliances early on in the process if you plan to replace the existing ones. Appliances take up a lot of space, which you will need to account for in your layout. Also, the placement of your appliances will determine that placement of your electrical outlets. So, in case you’re planning to relocate your appliances at the other end of the room, you will need to move the electrical outlets before proceeding on to any other tasks.

Depending on the style of your kitchen, you will have to choose various elements that fall in line with the overall theme. For instance, the color of cabinets, countertops, and even small accessories and fixtures, such as cabinet handles, must align with the kitchen’s style and theme.

That said, don’t shy away from making bold choices. While minimalist kitchens are quite hyped up today, it is good to add some personality and color to your kitchen with some standout choices, such as colorful backsplash or floor tiles.

The Bottom Line

Most homeowners looking to renovate their kitchen are concerned with how to begin a kitchen remodel. You need to clearly define a few things and lay down a pathway to guide you, but everything will become clearer as you keep making decisions.