Kitchens are often the focal point of a house, and it's important to have a visually appealing and functional environment. However, if you've never done any kitchen remodeling work before, there is much to consider, and you may expect to encounter several difficult situations. Today, we will discuss how you can prepare for your kitchen remodel. Hopefully, our questions and suggestions will make your kitchen transformation easier and more enjoyable.

What Are Your Kitchen Renovation Goals?

When you begin any task, knowing what you want and why you want it is critical. Whether your family has expanded since you bought the home, your new neighbors have inspired you with their fantastic new kitchen designs, or your kitchen is falling apart – whatever your motivation for renovating, answer these questions:

• Why do I want to renovate my kitchen in the first place?
• What kind of layout and design do I want? Do I want a modern kitchen remodel?
• Do I want to get new appliances, cabinets, or countertops?
• How can I maximize functionality?
• What are the must-haves in my kitchen design?

Once you know exactly what you want from your renovation, you can start making decisions. Now, let's talk a little more in-depth about important kitchen remodel considerations to keep in mind.

What is Your Renovation Budget?

Your budget is the biggest determinant of how much you can do to your kitchen. You have to know what you can afford before you start making design decisions. You also need to know your budget if you're planning on hiring a contractor – and we strongly advise that you do.

The cost of a major kitchen remodel is typically determined by a number of factors, including the size of the kitchen, quality of materials, level of craftsmanship, and the number of appliances that will need to be replaced. If you don't want to cut any corners with your renovation, you can anticipate your renovation costs to be tens of thousands of dollars to transform your existing kitchen. It's preferable to have a spending plan before starting out looking for kitchen renovations.

If you don't have a kitchen remodeling budget in place, start saving now. Spending your hard-earned money without a plan is one of the worst things to do when beginning the remodeling process.

Kitchen Layout & Design

One of the more fun parts of a kitchen remodeling project is designing the layout of your new space. There are many ways to maximize space, bring in more light, and increase functionality. However, there's one way to do this that currently trumps all others.

One of the more popular options homeowners are opting for is an open concept kitchen. Let's break down the idea behind an open concept kitchen and tell you why people are choosing to go the open concept route.

Open Concept Kitchens

Portland has many older, lovely, well-preserved homes that were designed with very distinctive, separate rooms.

However, open concept designs are all the rage these days, and for good reason. The fundamental notion behind an open concept is that there are no physical barriers between the kitchen and other parts of the living space, particularly the living room and dining area.

If you're in Portland and you want an open concept kitchen, you'll likely have at least one wall to contend with. Before you swing that sledgehammer, first find out if the wall is load-bearing or not.

If the wall you intend to demolish is load-bearing, there are ways to re-distribute the weight, but they usually demand the aid of a structural engineer or a very experienced renovator.

The primary benefit of an open-concept kitchen is that it allows more light and air into your kitchen, allowing the chef to stay in touch with what's going on in the living room or dining area. An open concept may also provide enough floor space for an island if you want one.

Kitchen Cabinets

You can go to a Home Depot or a Lowe's and purchase factory-made cabinets. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and they can be fitted to your current kitchen. Your other option is to go with custom cabinets.

Custom cabinetry may be a wonderful method to add natural beauty to your house. Many gorgeous hardwoods grow in Oregon, including cedar and oak. Wood allows you to connect with the rest of the world while also providing a warm, elegant atmosphere in your kitchen. Cedar and oak woods are designed to endure throughout time while staying timeless.

Countertops

Besides storage space, available counter space is a hugely important asset in any kitchen. The more counter space, the better.

A natural stone such as granite or marble is great for kitchen countertops. Stones are stain and heat-resistant, as well as extremely durable, and they remain in place the longest. Butcher blocks are another popular alternative.

Other popular material options include laminate countertops, tile, manufactured concrete, stainless steel, and recycled glass.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a material is how long you'll be content with it. If you're on a budget, go for something classic and timeless, such as laminate or butcher block.

Kitchen Flooring Options

Hardwood, tile, laminate, and vinyl are some of the most popular flooring choices for a Portland kitchen makeover. Consider the amount of foot traffic your kitchen sees when choosing flooring. Your kitchen's floor surface must be long-lasting and durable.

If you live in Portland, Oregon, you're undoubtedly aware of the area's unpredictable and harsh climate. Laminate or vinyl flooring handles rain, mud, snow, pet claws, and rambunctious youngsters the best.

Kitchen Appliances

Perhaps the most difficult decision to make when you're remodeling your kitchen is what brand and type of appliances to get. There are two main ways to pick appliances.

How Long Will You Live in Your Home?

If you're thinking of living in your house for a long time, high-end appliances are probably worth the investment. If this is your first home or if you intend to sell it later, a mid-range set of appliances would be more appropriate.

How Often Will You (Realistically) Use Your Appliances.

If you like hosting parties and preparing your own meals but also want your kitchen to be a sanctuary, higher-end appliances may be the way to go. If you prefer dining out or cooking meals that don't require much use of your equipment, low-end appliances may be ideal for you.

Lighting Options

Recessed lighting or under-cabinet illumination might be ideal if your kitchen is more modest and sleek. If your kitchen is more elaborate and has various components, chandeliers or pendant lights may be a good choice.

LED is becoming increasingly popular. LEDs are energy-efficient, but they can be quite bright and stark. If you don't want a harsh environment, consider using milder lights.

If you're unsure what direction to take with the lighting, seek assistance from a design expert. There are local contractors, like RUPP Family Builders, who not only specialize in contracting and remodeling services but also specialize in design services. Companies like RUPP Family Builders have design staff who can help you create the entire layout and design for your kitchen remodel. Get an estimate from them today by using their free online kitchen estimator tool.

A Kitchen Remodel Costs More Than Just Money

Kitchen makeovers are time-consuming and often cause disruption to family life for weeks or even months. Because the kitchen is generally the focal point of the house, this work may have an impact on all members of your family.

Before you get too far into your kitchen remodel project, take some time to determine how much it's going to cost and if you can survive the timeline, demo, and installation. You may be shelling out a lot of money and sacrificing lots of your time. Or, maybe it's as simple as making a few changes to your cabinets and appliances. Considering the financial and emotional costs of a remodel before signing on is crucial because, at some point, problems and delays will be very distressing.

A helpful way to think about the cost of a remodel is if you had to sell your home today, would it be worth your time to install a new kitchen? Would you profit off of a new kitchen installation? Would it be worth it for the new buyers? Consider how long you want to live in your house and what type of life you want to lead there. Before beginning any work, you should ask yourself these questions and consider these factors. Money is a huge part of a remodel, but so are your time, patience, and emotional resources.

Where Can You Save Money?

When you first create a budget, you may feel discouraged and defeated by the expenses. You should always go back to your plan and see if there are any areas of the remodel where you can save money.

You might be surprised where you can save some significant moola if you just take the time to stop and think about things:

Kitchen Layout

If you want to totally remodel your kitchen, you'll undoubtedly need a larger budget since you'll have to relocate the electrical, water, and HVAC connections required for the appliances. Keeping the current layout or merely extending it is generally more cost-effective than completely redesigning it.

Kitchen Cabinets

Another way to save a lot of money is to reface your existing cabinets instead of replacing them. Cabinet refacing may be a fantastic choice for people who want an updated, clean look but don't have the pockets to dole out thousands of dollars on entirely new semi-custom cabinets or fully custom cabinets.

You can also eliminate your upper cabinets and go with open shelving instead. This is a great way to save money, open up the space, and display some of your best dishwares.

Kitchen Appliances

One of the best places to save money is with kitchen appliances. Most appliances come in clean stainless steel finishes, making them look better, even if they are just a standard floor model. If you aren't a professional chef or the parent of ten kids, then you probably don't need an industrial-grade oven or refrigerator.

Countertop and Flooring Materials

When it comes to countertops and flooring, there are many options that will not break the bank. Solid surface countertops, like Corian or laminate, are a great way to get the look of stone without the high price tag. Vinyl plank flooring is also a durable and attractive option that is much more budget-friendly than hardwood floors. Nowadays, you'd be amazed at what manufacturers can do to lower-grade materials to make them look premium.

Kitchen Fixtures

You can save money on kitchen fixtures like your kitchen sink, faucet, and cabinet hardware by choosing more affordable options that look high-end.

Find a Reputable Remodeling Team

Kitchen renovations might be difficult, so having a professional on your side is critical. Unless you are an expert, you will almost certainly need the help of a remodeler to renovate your kitchen.

Before hiring a local company, do some research and contact three or more professionals. Get estimates from all of them and compare costs.

RUPP Family Builders are your home renovations specialists in the greater Portland area. Their goal is to make your house renovation project as simple and pleasurable as possible for you. They aim to create the same level of care for each customer, no matter how big or little the job is. They understand that remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, or home may be stressful. Therefore, they want to give you a worry-free experience to enjoy your new area!

Renovate Your Kitchen Today!

Remodeling and redesigning your kitchen takes work. There are many things to consider before you start your kitchen remodel. You'll have to consider your time, money, kitchen goals, and what you want out of your kitchen space. You'll also need to find a reputable kitchen remodeling team to help you with the work. It's a lot of work, but in the end, it'll all be worth it when you can enjoy your new kitchen!

Contact RUPP Family Builders today for a free estimate on your kitchen remodeling project, and to speak with one of their design and remodeling experts.