Home Design, Renovations

Simple Steps To A Kitchen Make Over

Remodeling a kitchen is no easy task but there are a few tips and tricks to make the endeavor manageable. Read on and find out these simple kitchen renovation tips.

  1. Undoing the kitchen

Most kitchen cabinets are attached to the wall but not its doors. Start by removing cabinet doors. Next is to remove doorways and trims if you’re planning on reusing them. Shut off power to the kitchen and remove appliances as well as lighting fixtures. Take care to cover exposed wires. If you want to remove the paneling, use the crowbar to pry them loose.

  1. Finding someone in charge

Before even starting the renovation of your kitchen, you first have to consider who is in charge of the project. You can find a general contractor to supervise the work or take on that responsibility yourself. Keep in mind that hiring a contractor will cost you around 30% of the overall budget, money that you can use for some other purposes. Whatever you decide to do, make sure the contractor is licensed, skilled, bonded, and insured.

  1. Replace old plumbing

Now that you’ve taken on the challenge of redoing your kitchen, you might also want to consider changing the dated plumbing system. Older plumbing might leak and break so make sure you have plenty of buckets on hand. Also, consider installing a shut-off valve box for the fridge and installing a new gas line.

  1. New wiring

Newer kitchen style is all about recessed lighting, pendant fixtures, and breakfast nook lighting. You should also look into upgrading your circuit breaker, increasing it up to 200 amps. Talk to your electrician if you want to get this done. Change all wiring that is not up to code as well.

Consider mudding

The job of hanging sheetrock is a rather simple job but muddling, the process of installing multiple compounds to the joint takes some skills. Mud is basically a joint compound that used when it has been dumped into a mudding tray then smushed to create a softer consistency. It can take up to three coats of mud. It will take the work one day for each coat, amounting to three days total.

A fresh coat of paint

Most likely you’ll have to add a fresh coat of paint to your kitchen walls and ceiling during your renovation. There are many people who label themselves as painters but don’t deliver the high-quality job a true painter could. Any homeowner can do the job of painting their kitchen but they’ll never match the quality a real professional house painter can. In this regard, let the pros handle the task; they’ll do a better job at it. Also, their paint job is going to look a lot more beautiful and will also last longer.

New floor and baseboard

Most contractors will install a new floor after they’re through with the cabinets but you might want to consider doing it before. There are several choices for kitchen floors available in the market. Cork flooring is an eco-friendly option that’s made from tree bark, leaving the tree still intact. Bamboo is also another option. Although set at a premium price, they are easy to install and comes in a variety of patterns. Also, bamboo is a grass and grows extremely fast so it’s a sustainable option than hardwood.

New cabinets

If you’re tired of your old kitchen cabinets and prefer something fresh and new, then you’ll have to include new kitchen cabinets in your kitchen remodel. This will require the help of a professional who can level and install them properly. If you approach a company for your new kitchen cabinets, they should be able to also provide qualified and skilled installers to do the job correctly.

New hardware

And last but certainly not the least when it comes to a kitchen remodel, you should have new hardware and ones that match. They add a tiny spark of accent to your otherwise monotone paint job.

Follow some of these guidelines for a successful kitchen makeover and welcome some new design trends into your home!