Remodeling any part of the home is quite an undertaking. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially daunting. These high-traffic areas are hard to navigate while under construction. No matter how stressful, the investment is worth it! Even minor remodels can earn you more than an 83% return. Let’s talk about how to make this process as painless as possible.
Plan Ahead
This may seem obvious, but a lot of homeowners get so excited about the finish line, they forget to plan out the race. Start with your budget. Yes, we know math isn’t the most fun – but a realistic budget with some wiggle room for unforeseen expenses will make everything much less stressful. Once you know what you can spend, start making a list. Or should we say lists? Write down what you have to do before, during, and after the renovation. Start with a rough outline and add in tasks as you learn the specifics of the project. Then put together a binder or folder to hold all of your lists along with inspiration photos, receipts, contact information, schedules, etc. If you can create a digital binder to share with other members of the household that’s even better!
Remodeling with Traffic Patterns
Once you’ve got yourself organized it’s time to sit down and figure out what you actually want. A great place to start is by evaluating the current traffic patterns of your space. What paths do you walk most often? Are there any “traffic jams” that you want to remove? Remodeling with this in mind will make your new kitchen or bathroom as functional as it is beautiful.
Open Concept Vs. Storage Solutions
A big airy kitchen is very popular, but if your space is too open it will end up cluttered with all the stuff you can’t put away. It would be a shame to have that beautiful natural stone countertop completely covered in appliances, kitchen gadgets, make-up, or cleaning supplies! Think about what you own and what needs to be right at your fingertips. What can be stored away for occasional use? If you don’t keep it in the kitchen/bathroom after the remodel, where will it go? It’s always better to err on the side of too much storage rather than too little. Taking the time to really think through storage options will make your remodel a breeze.
Temporary Spaces
Think about how much time you spend in your kitchen. If it’s out of commission for weeks or months, how will you manage cooking? If you’re looking into a bathroom remodel, where will you shower? Where will you brush your teeth or do your hair? Setting up a temporary space that’s as functional as possible will make living through a renovation much more palatable. Depending on the time of year, we’ve seen homeowners convert their back yards or garages into a kitchen space using their grills, microwaves, and hot plates. Bathrooms are a little trickier, but if you don’t have a second bathroom to use during construction, be sure to let your team know. They’ll prioritize the essentials so you don’t have to run to the gym to take a shower every morning.
Start with Countertops
If you’re short on time or money for a full remodel, look into just replacing your countertops. They provide a major upgrade without having to tear the whole space apart. Not only can they transform the look of a room, but the durability of natural stone can make it more functional as well
If you’re interested in remodeling, reach out to our expert staff for more information on how to get started.
