Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Idil!
Your kitchen is where you get together with loved ones, cook, eat, and create memories that last a lifetime. It is also a major part of the home in terms of functionality, justifying the sometimes crazy costs of kitchen remodels. So, if you’re planning to transform your space, you should have a full-fledged plan and the confidence that the project will turn out as you envisioned.
To help you get the ball rolling with the planning process, we’ve put together the key steps on how to plan a successful kitchen remodel, so you get a good return on your investment... plus a kitchen you’ll never want to leave!
Set A Budget
Kitchen remodels can get very pricey, so being realistic about the costs is important if you don’t want to end with an unfinished project. Remember to consider hidden costs, such as taxes and shipping costs, and add them all together to form your final budget. Even then, it’s a good idea to allocate at least 15% of the budget as extra funds for unplanned expenses.
Tip: If the budget seems to be getting out of hand, look into the tasks you can do yourself. Even doing a handful of them by yourself can save a good amount.
Find Inspiration
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Jess!
Visit kitchen showrooms, take a tour of your neighbourhood, and brainstorm your likes and dislikes at home stores. Once you begin to understand your taste and preferences, hop on to Pinterest to search the style(s) you like, and narrow down the options by forming a mood board of your favourite images. You can also consult a vetted interior designer for expert advice or get one to help you put together a mood board!
Plan The Layout
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Sam!
Your kitchen layout takes a good amount of effort to change, so it pays off to think it through thoroughly beforehand. This helps ensure the plan you have in mind for the layout works for years to come.
The classic ‘Kitchen Triangle’ principle places the sink, refrigerator, and stove in a triangle for the optimal arrangement. At least 36 inches (or 92 cm) of counter space should be spared for food preparation, and the door space in front of appliances should allow you to walk by even when the doors are opened. Additionally, pay heed to the safety of working areas whilst also ensuring there is enough room for traffic flow.
Decide The Details
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Idil!
Cabinetry Style
Cabinetry is often the most expensive part of kitchen remodel projects, so it should be decided upon early in the project. You’ve already finalised the layout of cabinetry, now is the time to pick your preferred style. From traditional to rustic to contemporary, there are plenty of design styles to choose from!
Appliances
When choosing appliances, consider your lifestyle and needs. A comprehensive collection of appliances is suitable for folks who cook every day. If you’re someone who usually eats out, you may not want to splurge on unnecessary appliances you’ll never end up using. The main types of kitchen appliances to consider include:
Refrigerators
Ovens
Stoves
Microwaves
Ventilation
Dishwashers
Smaller Appliances (e.g. coffee machine, juicer, toaster, etc.)
Whilst picking your appliances, don’t forget to pay attention to the style and finishing; it should complement your overall kitchen style (without compromising on functionality, of course).
Storage
Storage, again, is a very customised requirement. If you devour wine regularly, you’d want some dedicated shelving for your stash. For aspiring chefs, plenty of storage (including cabinets, cupboards, and perhaps even a pull-out pantry) is important. You’ll also need drawers to store your dinnerware and other dishes.
Tip: Opt for hidden storage, as open shelving tends to leads to clutter in kitchens!
Flooring
Kitchen flooring needs to be resistant to wear and tear and stains. Wood floors have high durability and are famous for kitchen use amongst homeowners. But if you have children around, porcelain tiles can provide a more stain proof option. A similar (very forgiving) option you can consider is stone flooring.
If you're looking for a three-in-one type of flooring, ceramic wooden floors are a fantastic option. Ceramic wood is waterproof, has high resistance to wear and scratches, and won't easily get stained. It's also more cost-effective compared to hardwood.
Colour Palette
Credit: Our very own Interior Design Guru, Sam!
The colour palette of your kitchen encompasses the walls, cabinetry, flooring, and counters. Bonus points if you can include appliances, too!
Neutral colours help create a timeless look, but remember — amongst other design trends disappearing this year, grey kitchens are taking the lead in stepping out! You can go for beiges or whites, but we’d recommend opting for a pale pastel colour; this helps upgrade from the all-neutral theme whilst keeping things cool. If you want to make a statement, go for dark-hued cabinetry — we’re all for the dusty blue and white combination in the picture above!
Lighting
Plan how you will layer your lights for the kitchen. Flush mount ceiling lights are an easy and effective option for ambient lighting, while under-cabinet and over-island pendants can help achieve task lighting. Accent lighting isn’t a requirement, but if you have a statement piece of art or wine rack to show off — go ahead and utilise it!
Kitchen Remodel Plan — Check!
As you tick off each step, you’ll be a step closer to your final kitchen remodel plan. Once you have all your decisions and ideas laid out, go through them multiple times to confirm things before you get to work.
Pro tip: the confidence that your plan will work should be the final step of your plan *wink*.
Need some help with your kitchen renovation or remodel? Just book one of our Interior Design Gurus here! They can look at your space over video chat and give you tips, ideas and guidance on how to achieve your dream kitchen.