Kitchen Benchtops Perth

10 Essential Tips for Kitchen Renovations

Most of us consider our kitchen as the heart of our home. Sometimes, it is where we make meaningful memories with our loved ones. Our kitchen is where we decorate birthday cakes with the young ones or where we spill the best family secrets! So, it is only fitting to have a functional, practical and yet aesthetically pleasing kitchen.

When it comes to renovating your kitchen, there are several things you have to consider. It can be an overwhelming project to undertake, but we’ve listed some tips that will make the process a bit easier for you. Whether you’re replacing your kitchen benchtops or you are freeing up more space in your kitchen space, you will find something useful in these tips.

Prepare your Budget Accurately

Before you start the design and planning process, you have to determine how much you are willing to spend for your kitchen renovation. Your budget will determine any design decision you will make. The common mistake among homeowners is that they start a renovation project with an open-ended budget. Such mistake leads to unnecessary expenses and uncontrollable costs.

So, it is essential to create a list of possible expenses and carefully conduct your research. After having a good estimate of the amount you will spend, leave a little room for unexpected expenses. There may be some elements you want to add or change as the project progresses and a contingency fund allows you to accomplish these things.

Determine the Style of your Kitchen

Determine whether you prefer a traditional looking kitchen or a more modern one. There are those who believe that if they have a Colonial-style house, their kitchen should have the same style. Do not hesitate to think out of the box, but do so within a reasonable level. It would be a great option to match your kitchen with the style and period of your home, but you do not have to necessarily do as such. If you’ve been itching to try something different, then feel free to do so.

Carefully Plan your Kitchen’s Layout

Your kitchen’s layout is one of space’s essential aspects. Having a good layout makes your kitchen practical, functional and inviting. In this area, it is important to seek professional help so that you can avoid making mistakes and ending up with a bad layout. Carefully study the placement of every item in your kitchen and how it can affect the workspace and traffic. It would also help if you consult the opinion of a friend or loved one.

Look Ahead

As you plan the design of your kitchen, it is essential to consider how your needs may change over the years. Will you have children around the house soon? Will your older kids move out in a few years? Are you planning to have your in-laws in your home? Do you have plans of selling your house in the future? These are just some of the questions you have to ask yourself when planning your kitchen design.

Moving Walls? Make Sure it is Feasible

Taking down interior walls can dramatically change your space. You can expand your space, transform the flow and give your kitchen a more airy and spacious feel. While it may sound like a good idea, you have to acknowledge that doing so will come at a cost. If you are on a tight budget, you might want to reconsider moving interior walls. Such project involves structural changes, ductwork and pipe relocation which can significantly increase your renovation budget. If you want to save money, you might want to keep the walls intact.

Which Works Best for you—Gas or Electric?

One of the popular choices when it comes to cooking fuel types is a dual fuel. Having both a gas cook top and an electric oven has its advantages. If you want faster heating and better heat control, you can use your gas cook top. This is also ideal for cooking pans that do not have a flat bottom, like a Wok for instance.

There is a bit of a difference with ovens. Since electric ovens can get hotter than gas, they have self-cleaning features that gas ovens do not possess. It can also be quite difficult to control the heat of gas ovens. On the other hand, some people believe that gas ovens are better for baking bread since the gas combustion produces more moisture.

Carefully Choose Cabinets

When choosing your kitchen cabinets, it is important to see the products in person. It is also worth noting that the price range depends on the quality of the materials used and the way the cabinetry was built. High-quality kitchen cabinets have solid plywood boxes along with wood frames and doors. There are also several advantages to choosing cabinetry with high-quality slides and hinges. It is true that you can save money with lower quality materials. However, they may not be durable enough to last for a long time.

Bigger Windows for More Natural Light

When renovating your kitchen, consider installing bigger windows or skylights. It can make a huge difference in your kitchen when you welcome more natural light. Having bigger windows is worth sacrificing some cabinet space.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that the cost of adding windows can be dramatically affected by your house’s exterior finish. It is more expensive to have a new stone opening than having one that is framed in wood or vinyl siding. You might also encounter issues with colour-matching and the finish when you have a stucco exterior. Also, if you’re planning to add skylights, you might have to consider the age of your existing roof. If you have an older roof, you might have to replace the parts where you intend to install the skylights.

The Lighting Design

Most homeowners do not carefully plan their kitchen’s lighting design. They tend to place it at the bottom of their budget list. However, it is worth noting that having good lighting can dramatically affect your kitchen. Your kitchen workspace must be well-lit, so you can wonderfully prepare your meals. You might also want to add accent lights inside the cabinets and if you want to add more fun or spice to your kitchen, you might want to consider colour-changing LED lights.

Kitchen Countertops that are Ideal for you

If your budget permits, select the best material for your kitchen benchtops. A durable and timeless material like granite or quartz can help you keep the beauty of your kitchen for many years. If you choose a lower-end material, you may have to deal with worn out kitchen surfaces sooner.

It is essential to know about the qualities of different stone materials and select one that is suitable for your needs and lifestyle. You can learn more about this topic when you read our article that illustrates How to Choose the Ideal Kitchen Benchtop.

When it comes to choosing the right material for your kitchen countertops, you can rely on Aurora Stone. Contact us today, and we will gladly listen to your requirements. Trust that we will help you determine the ideal stone material for your kitchen renovation.

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