If you’ve recently bought a property, or you’re a long-term homeowner, the kitchen is one of the main focal points in the home for cooking, eating, and socialising. Known by many as the heart of the home, there may come a time where you want to revamp your kitchen and bring it up to modern times.

Whether you’re doing renovation work for your own enjoyment, or you’re hoping to put your property on the market, a kitchen renovation can be a great way to boost the value of your home. To get started, here is everything you need to consider first.

Create a Budget

Once you’ve decided on a kitchen renovation project, your first port of call is to draw up a budget. There are numerous factors to take into account, such as the size of your kitchen, the area you live in, your personality and taste, as well as the contractors who will carry out the work. The last thing you want is for the project to stall halfway through because you’ve run out of funds, so establishing a range rather than focusing on a fixed budget number is recommended. For instance, budgeting $8,500 to $9,500 is more reasonable than spending exactly $9,000. There are additional costs that may need to be factored in along the way, so to avoid running out money and getting saddled with debt, drawing up a budget from the get-go is key.

Include All Elements

When estimating your budget, it’s crucial that you include all the elements that make up a kitchen renovation. Whether it’s new appliances, countertops, flooring, or paint, they all need to be accounted for before moving forward. Only you have the final say, so if you’re on a tight budget, you need to be realistic with what you can afford. While many of us dream about having a state-of-the-art kitchen, if you don’t have the finances behind you to fund your ambitions, you could end up in trouble as the project gets underway.

Consider Lighting Options

When stepping foot into a kitchen, the space should be welcoming and homely. To achieve this, it’s important that you bring as much natural light into your kitchen as possible. If your kitchen is too dark, there are lots of ways that you can add natural light, such as by adding mirrors, hanging a clamp lamp, using brighter bulbs, as well as adding pops of colour. You can also switch recessed lights into pendant lights. If you don’t have windows in your kitchen, there are other things you can do to lighten up your space, like installing white cupboards, splashbacks and benchtops, as well as using reflecting surfaces like stainless steel or glass.

Plan for Labour

If you would prefer to not go down the DIY route, you will need to think about the level of expertise you envisage in your kitchen renovation. There are various professionals who you should contact that can turn your ideas into a reality. Electricians, plumbers, and experts in kitchen renovations will mean you have the right people for the job. To get the best deal, it’s advised to look at various providers in your area and ask for quotes. For example, Kitchen Capital are experts in kitchen renovations who can help you with your project. The company are based in Perth, WA, and provide renovations for both new and old properties. Kitchen Capital also specialise in bathroom renovations if you want to improve other areas of your home.

Think About Functionality

If you’re spending your hard-earned cash on a kitchen renovation, it’s only natural that you will want to get the most out of your space. There are some homeowners who like to eat out a lot, meaning they may only use their kitchen occasionally, whereas large families may gather in their kitchen for three meals a day. Figuring out what works well in your kitchen and what could be improved should be your first step. If you’re unable to reach half of your cabinets, it’s advised to position them lower when renovation work begins. When planning your kitchen layout, make sure you factor in how you move when you’re in there cooking, eating and clients. The last thing you want is for your sink to be situated too far away from the dishwasher.

Look for Inspiration

A kitchen renovation is a costly project that shouldn’t be decided on lightly. If you aren’t sure where to begin, it’s wise to look for inspiration online that can give you ideas. Whether you check out kitchen magazines, read specialist blogs, or head to Pinterest, there are tons of resources that you can use to your advantage. Make sure that you pay close attention to textures, colours, surfaces, and fabrics and imagine how they would look in your space. If you make any mistakes with your kitchen design, rectifying it can be very expensive, so take your time conducting research.

Consider Energy Efficiency

Climate change is a serious issue that we should all take notice of. If you’re a homeowner who is looking to reduce their carbon footprint and do their bit for the environment, you may want to consider creating an eco-friendly kitchen space. Many kitchens are going green by installing energy efficient lighting and appliances, as well as choosing sustainable materials for their kitchen windows and floors. There are lots of benefits that you can gain by being more eco-conscious, especially for those who want to sell. Many potential homebuyers will be impressed with your eco-friendly approach.

Put Health and Safety First

Whether you’re doing the kitchen renovation project yourself, or hiring contractors, the health and safety of you and anyone in your kitchen should be put before anything else. It’s important that the job is completed safely and when you take into account the types of tools needed to renovate, you should have a good understanding on how to operate machinery correctly. Being conscious of your surroundings, knowing all the limitations and using your common sense will reduce the risk of injuries. Before you get started with renovating, it’s vital that you go around your kitchen and look for any hazards that could be dangerous.

Create a Timeframe

Time management is key when it comes tocompleting a successful kitchen renovation project. Depending on the size of your kitchen and what you would like done, the process can be lengthy. It’s important that you create a loose timeframe to work towards which will help keep everyone on track and ensure the job is completed according to plan. There are contingencies that you should factor in which could cause your project to be delayed or run over schedule. If you hire contractors, they must possess excellent time management skills which can boost productivity and efficiency and mean less procrastination.

Renovating your kitchen can be a great way to boost the value of your property, improve sustainability and give your space a much-needed updated look and feel. Whether you love to entertain guests, or you’re ready to sell your home, revamping your kitchen and fitting it with the latest gadgets and appliances can help transform your space and ensure you get the asking you price you envisaged from the start.

Before starting your kitchen renovation, make sure that you take all the advice above into account which can help you stay in control of the project’s costs, health and safety aspects, and timeframe.