Remodeling a kitchen can be an interruption to the daily flow of life in your house, but by following a few simple steps, you can ensure that the remodel goes quickly, easily, and leaves you with a stunning result.
Plan the space: While it might be tempting to put in as many state of the art appliances that you can get your hands on and begin to rip out cabinets and walls, it's highly advised to first plan out the new kitchen based on what you need and how you typically use it.
Things to keep in mind: • How many people are usually in the kitchen at one time? • How often do you cook? • How often do you entertain? • How much storage do you need? • What appliances and features do you want to include the most? Take a look at design magazines or talk to a designer and make a plan for the space before you begin to tear down your existing space.
Hire a contractor and other professionals: Remodeling a kitchen may require a great deal of electrical and plumbing work, particularly if has been a long time since the kitchen has been updated.
Hiring professional contractors, plumbers, and electricians will ensure that the job is done correctly, and help avoid problems in the future.
Take down existing cabinets and walls: Once your plan and design is set, the kitchen is ready to be taken apart in preparation for the new features.
Before you begin demolition, make sure you take out any removable appliances you want to save or can be donated, as well as dishes, food, and other items that might be damaged, destroyed, or get in the way.
It's at this point that most people will call in a contractor, but if you would like to do this yourself, start by taking down the cabinet doors and then removing the cabinets from the wall, making sure to take extra care with any fixtures that will be reused in the remodeled design.
If you carefully remove the cabinets, they can be donated to a place such as Habitat for Humanity.
After the cabinets are down, the power should be shut off, and any features and appliances that are directly wired should be carefully disconnected and taken out.
Replace plumbing and electrical: Depending on how the kitchen will be remodeled and how old the house is, the plumbing and electrical wiring may need to be replaced.
Damaged plumbing and wiring should be replaced, as well as any galvanized plumbing.
New shut-off valves may also need to be installed.
Be prepared for leaking water as the plumbing is replaced, and have a bucket ready for drips.
The electrical should be replaced as needed, and new wiring should be run for new appliances such as dishwashers, range hoods, and garbage disposals.
Install lighting: After the electrical work is complete, lighting can be installed.
These lighting fixture may include dimmer lights and under cabinet lighting, depending on the design of the kitchen.
Dimmer switches are always a good idea as they save on energy costs.
Hang drywall and paint: Once the electrical and plumbing work has been completed, new drywall can be hung.
Typically, it take several days for the drywall to be hung and mudded, although the time it takes depends on the space and what kind of drywall and mudding products are being used.
After the drywall has been hung, the walls can be painted.
Install flooring: After painting, flooring can be put down in the newly remodeled space.
There are numerous options available for flooring, and range from ceramic tiling, linoleum, wood, or other eco-friendly products.
The kind of flooring that is installed will depend on how the space is used and what kind of wear and tear the floor needs to withstand.
Hardwood, linoleum, and tile are in general the easiest to maintain and keep clean.
Put up cabinets: Once the flooring and walls are finished, cabinets can be hung and installed.
Hiring a professional to hang the cabinets is highly advised to make sure that every cabinet is hung properly, is level, and is securely installed.
Install countertops, backsplashes, and appliances: The final step in a kitchen remodel is to install the countertop and backsplashes, and put in new appliances.
Counters and backsplashes can be chosen for the overall design of the kitchen as well as for functionality.
Remodeling a kitchen is a large and daunting task.
Taking the process step-by-step yourself can make the remodel last considerably longer than if you bring in professional help, which will turn a kitchen remodel into a painless and immensely rewarding outcome.
A new kitchen will add value to any home and became a space that you and your family will love to live in and entertain.