Kitchen Renovation: 16 Tips to Upgrade Your Home Kitchen
While the opinion about our favourite corner of the home might differ, one thing we all would agree on is that the kitchen is the most integral part of every home. There is no better time to realise this than when we start cooking. It is where some of us spend so much of our time, so how we move and work in the kitchen affects our daily flow and mood as well. Do we need more reasons for considering a grand kitchen renovation?
Designing the kitchen should be a careful process since you would need to consider several things- from the tiles to storage spaces. Of course, you wouldn’t want to miss out on anything only to find out that it has a lasting significance. Don’t worry. We are here to take all your stress away if you're not sure where to begin. We have listed some great tips on how to design the kitchen of your dreams.
Tips to Upgrade Your Home Kitchen
Let’s get started. We hope you gain some clarity by the end of this piece and level up for the most-awaited kitchen renovation!
- Start with Planning the Layout
The first and foremost thing to consider while renovating a kitchen is its layout. You should design the layout well in a way that fits the space and your lifestyle. The layout's shape is something which you can decide on, but it is important in planning the entire kitchen space and the work triangle. Here’s how the kitchen space could complement the layout.
- Go for the Most Favourable Lighting Scheme
If your mood instantly lifts after entering your kitchen every day, we’re pretty sure that the light scheme and the overall design aesthetics should get credit for it. Lighting is the next important factor while designing and renovating your kitchen, so we have some tips for you. Installing a spotlight can be a good option for you to use during meal prep; you can use pendant lights in the dining area, and LED accent lights to showcase your crockery.
If you prefer having more lights, you can use chandeliers and cove lights for a good ambience. Strip lights below the cabinetry are yet another good pick for downlighting. One thing you should ensure is that you plan the lighting scheme quite early while designing since it holds the interior together.
- Finalize the Kitchen Cabinetry Style and its Accessories
Take the practicalities into consideration and decide on a kitchen style and cabinetry that align well with them. The architectural features of your home and the cabinet should not seem like they both will battle each other. Consider incorporating a more traditional, contemporary or freestanding style for kitchen cabinets in your home as it helps to highlight the look and feel of your kitchen space.
Cabinet accessories assist various cooking styles in addition to creating smart storage functions. They also offer efficient organisation and advanced convenience when you have an uncluttered kitchen space. Consider getting pull-out baskets, cutlery organisers, and tall units in your kitchen if you want to optimise it well. Look for efficient furniture accessories as they can save a lot of time in your day-to-day life.
- Decide on the Material and Hardware Finish of Accessories
The material with which the furniture is made, and their hardware finish has the potential to keep up the entire design of your kitchen. Plywood and hardwood are excellent picks if you are into traditional kitchen styles; slab tiles and fibreboards will help impart a chic minimalist look.
Oh! Did you know that engineered wood is one of the cheapest, yet one of the best options you can use while designing a modern kitchen? And, when it comes to hardware finishes, go for stuff like polished brass, satin nickel or antique brass after considering the style of your kitchen. Material and hardware finishes are crucial in maintaining the long life of your kitchen space.
- Stick by the Kitchen Triangle Concept
The kitchen triangle concept is all about arranging the sink, stove and refrigerator strategically like a triangle to have easy access. Since these are the prime elements in a kitchen, arranging them in the form of a triangle will help your everyday cooking. Improving convenience is the key to being happy in the kitchen. Hence you should make sure to do it the right way, too. The triangle should not be less than 10 feet in length, and not more than 25 feet. Keep this concept in mind from the beginning of kitchen renovation, especially if you have any plans of getting a new refrigerator.
- Getting the Proper Appliances
Since we have mentioned getting a new refrigerator, we thought of getting into this detail soon. Every modern kitchen might have at least one or two appliances for different purposes, and they include dishwashers, refrigerators, and built-in ovens. It is crucial to choose your appliances before installing the cabinets to avoid the protrusion of any of these. Why would you disrupt the workflow when you have a choice?
- Keep Your Budget Too in Mind
Let’s get this straight- renovating kitchen is expensive when compared to other rooms of your home. The total cost will depend on the size and type of elements one would like to have in one’s kitchen. There is a chance for the expenses to get out of hand if you don’t plan it well before designing. You shouldn't spend over 10% of the total value of your home on a kitchen renovation- we’d always recommend keeping that 10% saved for contingencies.
If you’re in Singapore, you can get in touch with home servicing professionals such as Sendhelper- we can give you a price quote regarding the renovation at your place. Just download the Sendhelper app from Play Store or App Store, go to the handyman service session or visit our website and request a free quote from us via the app.
- Place the Kitchen Island Well
A kitchen island is a statement addition to an open-plan kitchen if you have good space. Kitchen islands are versatile in functionality- they can be used as a cooktop or a prep surface, or even to place the sink. Before you decide on a design, think of how you would use the island. Keep a space of at least one meter or more around the kitchen island while placing it to have a wide walkway or seating around it.
- Give Attention to the Corners
The corners of your kitchen should be given good attention during design since you can place cabinets, furniture, and appliances there. When used well, kitchen corners can be made into functional and useful storage spaces by installing some pull-out and or drawer units. Make sure to avoid appliance handles, knobs, and pulls that stick out banging into each other.
- Decide on the Countertop Material
A good countertop is always decided by the choice of material. High-quality countertop material imparts a visual impact to your kitchen space to balance beauty and functionality without any compromise. Durable and tough materials such as quartz, slab tiles, acrylic resin, marble, granite, and porcelain are good choices. But, as we said earlier, always consider your budget before you decide on such a prime aspect of your kitchen.
Here’s how you can clean the quartz countertop of your home’s kitchen.
- Think of Colours in the Kitchen
From cabinets and windows to flooring and ceilings, the kitchen space is full of opportunities to experiment with colours. There are several light colour options you can opt for to make your kitchen for various decor ideas, and these colours include white, pale grey, and so on. You can also consider getting high-gloss paint or colourful wallpapers for the kitchen ceiling along with bright, bold-coloured walls and tiles if you think of creating an impact in a neutral design. Avoid dark colour schemes for the kitchen as much as possible as they can visually shrink a space and make it less inviting for you to enter each day.
- Give Importance to the Flooring
One of the most crucial elements while designing a kitchen is flooring. It deals with water splashes and high condensation every day. Hence taking durability, cleaning and simplicity into account before deciding on flooring is very important. There are countless types of flooring available, but flooring with tiles, vinyl, wood, laminate, and concrete is tough; they also come with an anti-slip finish making them perfect choices for kitchen floors.
- Keep Good Ventilation as a Priority
Having good ventilation in the kitchen is crucial to avoiding all the stink and cooking odours that linger in the air. It is even more important in the case of open-plan kitchens as poor ventilation can result in increased moisture levels, and upholstery absorbing the smell. It is also crucial to get a high-quality cooker hood that comes with an extractor fan in the kitchen- this takes the airborne particles outside, thereby improving the quality of the air inside the kitchen. Proper ventilation is vital in keeping your kitchen clean every day; it increases the life of your kitchen appliances and makes your time in the kitchen feel pleasant.
- Adding Enough Electrical Outlets
Having enough electrical outlets in your kitchen is crucial to use the kitchen appliances such as coffee makers, toasters, blenders, and all other countertop appliances. It is, therefore, important to add many electrical outlets across the kitchen wall tiles during the design process to use the appliances whenever necessary. Customising a drawer with outlets and USB ports is also a good idea since this can be a hidden charging point for your non-kitchen devices. You may hire a certified electrician through Sendhelper.
- Balance the Cabinetry Blocks
All of us would need a kitchen with enough and more storage space to organize everything well. We don’t care even if that’s too much- what we care about is that the space shouldn’t be inadequate. But sometimes having too many cabinets could make the space visually bulky.
Now, are you going to worry about this? Please don’t, because we’re gonna share a hack with you- break up long blocks of drawers and doors and add captivating glass doors and open shelves to create a visual balance. Another thing you can consider doing is displaying your crockery and wine storage by keeping them in window cabinets- it will add more aesthetics to your kitchen.
- Think About the Importance of Windows
Our kitchen areas should make use of natural light, so getting the right kind of window dressings is crucial. You can get adjustable window roller blinds to obstruct direct sunlight while still letting in some light in the kitchen. Keep a note of the material of window frames if your windows are located close to the sink- you don’t want to ruin them.
Before We Wrap Up
The kitchen is the activity hub of every home. Therefore, it needs to be as efficient as possible. Key aspects of designing a kitchen well include proper selection of the layout, floor tiles, furniture, cabinetry, appliances, and finishes. Choosing the right features will ensure maximum functionality in a space like a kitchen that has extreme moisture and heat.
Always keep factors like your time spent in the kitchen and the number of people who will use the kitchen in mind during the first stages of designing. You wouldn’t need a lot of functionalities for your kitchen in these cases.
We believe that your kitchen should make a statement about your style and taste without making your pocket empty. Our professionals at Sendhelper will take you through all the wise planning by installing the right materials to ensure their long life while keeping your budget in check. Our handymen will visit your place for a thorough inspection after you book your service with us through the Sendhelper app or website. You can also request a free quote by directly contacting our customer support team at info@sendhelper.com. Let’s take it from there!
