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| Sample kitchen design by Bridget |
1. Take your time and research everything. This will likely be the biggest, most expensive renovation project in your lifetime, so you want to make sure you will happy with the end result. If you need a contractor, make sure they are reliable and qualified. Get references. Research building material such as flooring, windows, countertops and even cabinetry. Cabinetry for example varies tremendously from company to company but all serve their purpose in the right location.
2. Explore your options and do more than one design. What if you took a wall down? What if you took your breakfast nook out to extend the kitchen? These are two of the most popular changes my clients are doing to their home to modernize the space of their older homes. These days, the kitchen tends to be the heart of the home. It’s where family and friends gather, socialize, and are entertained by their host. As a result a lot of people are extending and/or opening up their kitchen to be bigger and open to the rest of the house. Definitely explore your options. If you are having difficulty ask for advice from your kitchen designer. You might be surprised how a simple change can completely transform the space.
3. Don't get caught up in trends. Unless you can afford to redo your kitchen every ten years or so, avoid trends. You will be sick of it after a few years and will need to start all over again. Antique White for example, has been our best-selling colour in kitchens for a good ten+ years now. Why, because white never goes out of style. You can add accessories with the colour of the day, and accessories are a lot more affordable to update then a whole kitchen.
4. Think resale. Plan on selling your home? A new kitchen usually adds value to your home, but not always. Avoid anything too modern or traditional in style. This can completely turn off some buyers if it is not their style. Which means they would need to gut your new kitchen to suit their own style. Try something transitional or contemporary to suit the style of a greater audience.
5. Update systems. How old is your house? If it’s getting up there now is your chance update at the basic level. Change the electrical, rip down the plaster walls and re-insulate, move vents/windows/walls to suit your lifestyle. Once those new cabinets are up, it will be very difficult to change anything without causing damage.
6. Bulkheads – take them down! Most bulkheads have nothing in them. They are simply there to fill up the space between the cabinet and ceiling. I would say only 1 out of 5 kitchen has something like plumbing in their bulkhead, and this is usually in one small area. Find out! This does involve knocking a hole in the bulkhead and looking around, but man will your kitchen look so much more amazing going to the ceiling. Not to mention the extra storage you will get. If you do find something in your bulkhead, don’t despair. A lot of companies can create a nook in their uppers cabinets to hide anything at the top. But not all companies will do this, so ask and do your research on the company that is quoting you.
7. Pick what you love. This is ultimately your space, and your money. Make sure you love everything before committing. Things cannot easily change once contracts are signed.
Guest blog by
Bridget Brummel
Design and Sales
Hampton Kitchens
Email: bbrummel@hamptonkitchens.ca
Phone: 905-388-7293 ext 257
