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If you love your kitchen but it no longer meets your needs, a kitchen remodel is a cost-effective way to update the space and extend its useful life. The small footprint of the kitchen makes it one of the most popular spaces for home remodeling projects. In fact, according to an American Society of Interior Designers survey, the kitchen was the most common area of homes that were given an upgrade in 2016. That’s great news because there are many benefits to undertaking a kitchen remodel. A renovated space can boost resale value by as much as 20 percent when you’re ready to sell your home. It can also increase your sense of happiness and reduce stress in your day-to-day life by streamlining daily routines, making cleaning easier, and adding storage solutions that are tailored to your needs. With this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about budgeting for, planning, and executing a successful kitchen remodel project. Let’s get started!

Know Before You Renovate: Have a Game Plan
Before you tear out the old cabinets and rip up the flooring, it’s important to have a game plan. Start by creating an outline of your renovation goals, a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, and a rough estimate of your budget. – Outline your renovation goals – What do you want to achieve with your kitchen remodel? Do you want to extend the space for more seating and storage? Do you want to revamp your countertops to make cooking easier? Now is the time to write down your short and long-term goals for the kitchen. – Create a list of must-haves and nice-to-haves – Once you’ve outlined your goals, make a list of everything that must stay and everything you’d like to add to the kitchen. Once you have a comprehensive list, start to prioritize items in relation to each other. What needs to stay first? What are your nice-to-haves? – Rough estimate of your budget – It’s important to have an idea of how much money you can spend on a kitchen remodel before you begin shopping around for contractors. Although there isn’t an exact number you should budget for a kitchen remodel, there are ways to estimate costs based on the size of your project. You can also use online calculators to get ballpark figures based on your renovation goals.

Assessing Your Kitchen Needs
Once you’ve assessed your kitchen needs, it’s time to make a list of what’s working and what needs to be fixed up. This will help you keep your renovation goals in focus as you begin shopping for and pricing out your must-have and nice-to-have kitchen items. – What’s working – As you walk through your kitchen and make a list of what’s working, you’ll find it easier to highlight the things you want to keep during the remodel. Take note of the layout, lighting, appliances, and anything else that’s meeting your needs. – What needs to be fixed up – Next, take a look at the things that need to be fixed up. Are you short on storage space? Are the appliances are outdated? Are the countertops stained and scratched? Keep track of items that need to be upgraded or replaced.

Figure Out Your Budget
The first step in figuring out your budget for your kitchen remodel is to get a ballpark figure for the total project. You can do this by gathering estimates for the major renovations you want done. Take the average cost per square foot for your area to get an estimate for the size of your project (the average cost per square foot for a kitchen remodel is $80 per square foot). Take these estimates and add them together to get a ballpark figure for your kitchen remodel budget. Once you have an estimate in mind, you can start mapping out your budget based on the following factors: Materials and labor. The cost of materials is usually the biggest factor in any home remodeling project. Labor costs are usually a smaller part of the equation, but they can be impacted by the materials used.

Create a Timeline
Once you’ve outlined your goals and estimated your budget, it’s time to create a timeline for your kitchen remodel. A timeline will help you stay on track and manage your expectations throughout the process. The average kitchen remodel takes about three months from start to finish. This timeline can vary depending on the size of your project, the materials you choose, and the contractor you hire. It’s important to build in some extra time for shopping around for materials, ordering appliances, and scheduling your contractor for the project. The best way to stay on track is to create a timeline that works for you.

Selecting New Kitchen Appliances
One of the biggest expenses in a kitchen renovation is the appliances you’ll add to the space. When choosing new appliances, consider the size, shape, and color of your existing appliances to make sure they match the rest of the space. Selecting appliances can be overwhelming. It’s helpful to research your options ahead of time. It also helps to talk to friends and family members who have experience shopping for appliances. Selecting new appliances can be expensive, but it’s important to make sure they meet your needs and will last for years to come. When shopping for appliances, keep in mind that you can choose from two main types: standard and energy-efficient appliances.

Decide on Flooring and Tiling
When it comes to flooring and tiling, you have many options. You can choose from a wide variety of materials including wood, tile, and vinyl. It’s important to think about your daily routines and cleanability when making these decisions. – Wood – Wood is a natural, renewable material that’s available in a wide range of styles and finishes. It can be installed as engineered hardwood, laminate, or natural hardwood. Natural hardwood is the most expensive option, while laminate is the least expensive. – Tile – Tile is a beautiful, durable option that’s available in many sizes and shapes, creating a custom look that blends seamlessly with any design. Ceramic tiles are durable and easy to clean, but they can be more expensive than other options. – Vinyl – Vinyl tiles are a cost-effective option that comes in a variety of styles and patterns. They’re easy to maintain and provide a durable surface that can be used in any room of your home.

Choose the Right Colour for the Walls and Counters
Once you’ve selected your colour palette, it’s time to decide where to use it. Will you paint the walls or replace your countertops? Will you tile the backsplash or use wood or laminate? The choice is up to you and will depend on your budget and design preferences. – Walls – Walls are an easy and cost-effective way to update the colour of your kitchen. Start by painting the walls the colour you’ve chosen for the counters and backsplash. Then add some accents with paint or decals. – Counters – Replacing your counters is a huge renovation and isn’t necessary in every kitchen remodel. Granite or quartz counters are durable and natural materials that add a bit of luxury to any kitchen. Laminate counters are another cost-effective option that can be easily replaced or repaired if needed.

Add Storage Solutions
It’s important to take storage into consideration during a kitchen remodel. A well-organized kitchen makes cooking and cleaning easier, and it’s a great way to reduce stress on a daily basis. There are many ways to add storage to your kitchen. You can add open shelves, cabinets, or even repurpose an old bookshelf or cabinet to add additional storage space to the room. You can also make use of the vertical space in your kitchen by installing a wall-mounted pot rack, a magnetic spice rack, or a towel bar near the sink.

What about that ceiling?
The ceiling is often overlooked in a kitchen remodel, but it can make a huge impact on the space. Start by adding light fixtures to make the room feel brighter and more welcoming. You can also add some architectural features to the ceiling. They don’t have to be dramatic or expensive – just try a few small things like adding a wood strip