With our unit renovation in full swing, it is time for me to choose the kitchen. It is a small space, so whatever I choose will effect the look of the whole room. After many kitchen renovations, I follow a 7 step process to achieve the look I desire within the budget I have allowed.
Here I share my tips for a smooth kitchen renovation.
Step 1
Inspiration: If you have decided to change your kitchen but don’t quite know what style you want, start to research. Look at Pinterest, magazines, catalogues and visit kitchen showrooms and project homes to help define the look you love.
https://www.pinterest.com/oohmhomewares/k-i-t-c-h-e-n-l-o-v-e/
Step 2
The Plan: Next, you should sketch out a simple layout plan. If you don’t have any idea, don’t despair, as the kitchen designer will help you create a plan to optimise the space you have. Here’s a guide to help:
The kitchen designer will meet you onsite, design, measure and quote for you.
Step 3
Budget: This is an important factor as kitchens can vary in cost from $5000 to $50,000 depending on what quality finishes, style and appliances you choose. There are flat pack systems like those from Bunnings and Ikea, that are vastly cheaper than top designer kitchens so it is really important to define what you are willing to spend. The type of home will also determine this. If the home is an investment property, or in an area where property prices are lower, you should not spend on a high-end kitchen. I often combine a DIY kitchen and get a kitchen design company to add a great benchtop, or interesting cupboard or shelf to dress it up.
Also, if you have the skills to do so, you can save money by doing the demolition of the old kitchen yourself.
Step 4
Selection: Now for the fun part – visiting the showroom, selecting the finishes desired to create the style that you have chosen. The designer will work out a quote based on those finishes, measurements, cost of manufacture and installation.
Step 5
Order and Production: Once you are happy with the design, style and price, you pay a deposit to the designer and he will begin manufacturing it. He will provide you with a list of what needs to be done before installation can occur i.e. removing existing cabinets, their contents and any structural work required.
This is the time to purchase appliances and fittings, like taps, sinks, fridges, lighting etc. in an appropriate size and style for your design. Make sure everything is available by the kitchen installation date so there are no hold ups.
A kitchen flat pack installation will take around 2-4 days if you are doing it yourself. Carefully measure the kitchen cabinets and benchtops for your appliances (including the refrigerator) rangehood, sink, dishwasher, stove and cooktop before buying them. Double-check all measurements as errors can be expensive to fix.
Step 6
Demolition and Alterations: This is the time to make any physical changes or extensions to the kitchen room. If you are removing your old kitchen partially or totally, you will need to have an action plan of how you can cook while you don’t have a working kitchen. So leave what you use the most as the last things to be removed. A microwave, gas camp cooker and BBQ can come in very handy during this stage of the kitchen remodel. I have learnt how to cook gourmet meals with basic tools!
Step 7
Installation: Most Kitchen manufacturers need around 3 – 4 weeks lead time to create a customized kitchen ready for installation. Ask the kitchen company for a specified date for installation and work toward this. The type of flooring you have chosen can effect the installation process as some types need to go in before the kitchen cabinets are in place, while other types can be completed after.
The kitchen manufacturer will give you a timeline of how and when the components of your kitchen will be installed, which usually takes a few days, but it is well worth it in the end. The order of installations is: Electrical and plumbing fit out first, followed by placement of cabinets, then bench tops, appliances, taps, doors and handles. Painting and final touches will make your dream kitchen complete.
So now you have the kitchen, invite your family and friends over to share it with you the joy now in the heart of the home!!
Thanh Knutson
July 7, 2015 at 4:41 pm (11 years ago)The kitchen is the most expensive and time consuming room to renovate. nowadays you can take idea from the internet. There are many websites give information with pictures so you can get an idea easily. The most important thing in renovation is budget.
Belle 2
July 8, 2015 at 5:07 pm (11 years ago)Absolutely. Sticking to the renovation budget is everything.
Andrew Marsh
November 15, 2015 at 2:05 am (10 years ago)The kitchen is one of the busiest places in any home. It must be carefully planned so you can maximise the space as well as offer full functionality when preparing food.
Logan Murphy
November 24, 2015 at 2:15 am (10 years ago)I like how you mentioned the selection step is the fun part. My wife would definitely agree! We are in the process of kitchen installation in our new home. Our weekends lately have consisted of hours in the department store looking at kitchen options. It’s almost like she’s at an amusement park. She loves it a lot. Thanks for sharing your essential steps. They are helpful!
Cindy Hoffman
February 4, 2016 at 12:16 am (10 years ago)Hi there Belle, I was looking for some kitchen renovation ideas when I landed here, and I am glad that Google brought me here. Last time we did a renovation, we had lots of problems as we had not organized well and we were also having an amateur “so called expert” contractor. This time round I plan on being involved myself. Thanks a lot for sharing such a trove of info.
Cindy
Belle 1
February 28, 2016 at 6:14 pm (10 years ago)Thanks, Cindy. Just ask us anything if you are not sure. Watch out for our Renovation Successs Code & Checklists.
Patricia Anderson
March 8, 2016 at 2:31 am (10 years ago)I didn’t know that you aren’t supposed to buy appliances and other things until step five of kitchen renovation. If we hadn’t read this we probably would have went out and bought a bunch of stuff as the first step. I’m glad I read this and was reminded that it is important to have a price range before buying a bunch of stuff. I hope that your tips help our kitchen renovation go smoothly, thank you!
Belle 2
March 8, 2016 at 4:42 pm (10 years ago)Good luck with your kitchen renovation and think positively..things will go smoothly – Belinda Smith
Jack Palmer
March 23, 2016 at 11:09 pm (10 years ago)I like your advice about defining what we are willing to spend on our kitchen renovation. I think that’s smart because then we won’t go overboard on the price of what we want to accomplish. It sounds like the flat pack systems are what we should be looking into. We have only been married a couple years so we don’t have a very large budget for this project. Thanks for explaining the process!