Kitchen remodeling
Small kitchen remodeling is just like remodeling your entire house. You need a well-thought-out plan for the project to go on smoothly. The kitchen is one of the busiest places in many homes and family life somewhat hinges on it. If you plan on giving your kitchen a facelift, expect disruption in some aspects of normal life in your home. A significant remodeling may take a considerable duration and poor planning will derail the process however small your kitchen might be. Therefore, be sure to have a sound plan before work begins.
Here are the preparations that will help minimize hitches and expedite the completion of your small kitchen remodeling process:
- Sketching the design
The kind of design you come up with determines the quality of the final result. If you look to have a kitchen with a grand layout, then you must get your design right. Therefore, look for an architect or structural engineer to help you come up with an outstanding design. Besides, the architect will help you identify potential pitfalls in the project and advise you on how to circumvent them.
- Look for a contractor
Once you have the design you want, look for a contractor. This is the expert who will execute the plan and ensure the result fulfills everything that is in it. The contractor should give you a work schedule with a clear timeline in regards to time and dates for the remodeling process. That will help you plan for other things because your normal life should continue as the work goes on.
- Set your budget
You have consulted your architect and contractor. Next, you have to come up with a budget for the project. Never underestimate the size of your kitchen. You must decide on how much you can spend and the exact things you would like to change in your kitchen. Categorizing the items to change is a good idea. You don’t have to spend on new furniture and cabinets if the ones you have are still in good shape. Don’t let your budget get out of control from an overambitious small kitchen remodeling project.
- Set up a makeshift kitchen
You will not be able to prepare your meals in the kitchen when the remodeling exercise kicks off. So, look for a space in your house where you can set up a temporary kitchen. If you don’t have a spare room you can hive off a portion of your dining room. And if you don’t mind cooking outdoors, then use your awning. In case you have an outdoor kitchen, the better.
- Move your pets
Pets such as cats tend to hang around the kitchen so much. You should consider them in the remodeling plan by moving their food bowls to another room several days before the work begins. That accustoms them to the new place to avoid confusing and stressing them when the work is going on. You can as well consider kenneling them for as long as the project lasts.
- Relocate your kitchen appliances
The small kitchen remodeling task requires ample space to allow the construction crew to move materials around with ease. Consider relocating your fridge, microwave, coffee maker, cooker, and other appliances to another room where you can continue accessing them.
- Clear the walls
If you have such things as pictures and other wall hangings on your kitchen walls, take them off. Be sure to also remove the pictures, mirrors, and wall hangings on all walls adjacent to the kitchen. The impact of hammers and other tools used by the contractors may damage them. You don’t want to lose your invaluable wall decorations.
- Room for building materials and contractor equipment
Set aside a room for the materials for the remodeling work and contractor’s equipment. Keeping them in a central location makes it easy for contractors to access them. Besides, carrying heavy equipment to and from the site daily may be inconveniencing to the contractors. Reserving a room for the toolset reduces the chances of contractors forgetting to bring with them some of the tools.
- Clutter removal
The small kitchen remodeling work presents you with an opportunity to do away with stuff you no longer use. It is time to free up space in your kitchen. Remove all clutter and put it in one place. You can later dispose of what you feel you don’t need anymore.
- Curtains and blinds
Remove your curtains and blinds from your kitchen door and windows. There will be dust flowing in the air when the remodeling task is going on. Wash and keep them if you still want to use them after you are done with the project.
- Dinnerware, glassware, and other kitchen utensils
You will have to pack some of your utensils for some time. Glasses are fragile and need extra care will moving them from your kitchen. Therefore, you can keep them in boxes. Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or used newspaper for extra protection against breakage. Firmly seal the boxes with tape.
Sort the utensils while removing them from the cabinets. You don’t have to pack and seal such items as can openers, tea kettles, pots, skillets, etc. These are utensils you use frequently. So, only pack the ones you don’t use often. Plus, label the boxes for easy identification.
- Floors and walkways
Cover all floors and walkways where your contractors will be moving to avoid damage. These are areas that you don’t want to renovate. Covering them with protective plastic sheets protects them from damage occasioned by machinery movement. It ensures the protection of your carpets too.
Remodeling your kitchen needs proper planning. We have discussed the crucial things you need to consider during the preparation for small kitchen remodeling. Following them keenly assures you of better results if you are looking to remodel your kitchen in the future. We would be glad to listen to you and get to know what your needs are in so far as kitchen remodeling goes. Have a look at our small kitchen remodeling ideas and let us know which one you feel is a fit for your kitchen.