Kitchen Remodel...The Good, Bad & Downright Ugly!
By: Rhonnika Clifton, Allied ASID
It's 2019 and one day you look up and realize your kitchen is more outdated than your mom's hairstyle (sorry mamas)!
The walls are a weird shade of salmon and the cabinets are so small they look like they belong in a tiny house, but you have no idea where to start. HGTV is usually your go-to network for inspiration and project ideas, but you know this job is too big to DIY (Do It Yourself). WHAT DO YOU DO?
The first step, and this is a very important one, so listen carefully, is to STOP WATCHING HGTV! While a great entertainment outlet for design and decorating, the network can often offer a false sense of expectations when it comes to working with a designer.
As a recognized expert and leader in the Houston design community, R J Clifton Designs, LLC is passionate about helping create, change and cultivate your living experience through education, art and function.
So Rhonnika, "what are the next steps?" you may ask. Well, I'm glad you did! Here are our top 7 steps you will need to survive your first kitchen makeover.
The walls are a weird shade of salmon and the cabinets are so small they look like they belong in a tiny house, but you have no idea where to start. HGTV is usually your go-to network for inspiration and project ideas, but you know this job is too big to DIY (Do It Yourself). WHAT DO YOU DO?
The first step, and this is a very important one, so listen carefully, is to STOP WATCHING HGTV! While a great entertainment outlet for design and decorating, the network can often offer a false sense of expectations when it comes to working with a designer.
As a recognized expert and leader in the Houston design community, R J Clifton Designs, LLC is passionate about helping create, change and cultivate your living experience through education, art and function.
So Rhonnika, "what are the next steps?" you may ask. Well, I'm glad you did! Here are our top 7 steps you will need to survive your first kitchen makeover.
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1. Plan to Make a Plan: It’s very important that when you decide to begin a kitchen remodel that you do your research. Look at magazines, like Better Homes & Garden and Kitchen & Bath, visit home improvement stores and visit builder model homes around your city to get inspiration for the type of kitchen you want.
2. Don’t try to be like the Jones’: Every home and style is unique therefore your design should be too. It’s fine to admire and pull inspiration from a friend’s home, but your kitchen design should be planned around the style and bones of your home. Nothing looks worse than creating an ultra-modern kitchen in a non-updated traditional home. Also consider specialized personal needs like ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) functions such as a lower microwave drawer and upper cabinet pull-down shelving. |
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3. Say No to a Contractor and Yes to an Interior Designer: Everyone has a roll to play when it comes to remodels and everyone should stay in their lane. An Interior Designer, preferably one that specializes in kitchen & bath design, will create a complete & thorough plan for your remodeling project that will be both functional and aesthetically pleasing (schematic design, material selection, project management etc.). A general contractor (GC) is responsible for providing all of the labor, equipment (such as engineering vehicles and tools) and services necessary for the construction of the project. A GC can help you with material selection, but this is not their specialty. Therefore, you may end up with low-quality, subpar materials that don’t quite showcase your vision.
4. Let’s Talk About Budget Baby: Que the dramatic music and horror screams. Hahahaha. I get it, no one likes to talk about money. It makes you uncomfortable and really zaps the fun out of discussing all the beautiful bells & whistles you want in your space. The problem is, it’s an integral part of the process that will determine the overall look, and possibly function, of your space. In general, homeowners spend from $12,594 to $33,118 on kitchen remodeling, at an average of $21,751, according to HomeAdvisor. Additionally, lavish projects can run more than $50,000. Budgets should typically be fairly flexible, allowing a small range and a 5-10% incidental budget for unforeseen issues that may arise.
4. Let’s Talk About Budget Baby: Que the dramatic music and horror screams. Hahahaha. I get it, no one likes to talk about money. It makes you uncomfortable and really zaps the fun out of discussing all the beautiful bells & whistles you want in your space. The problem is, it’s an integral part of the process that will determine the overall look, and possibly function, of your space. In general, homeowners spend from $12,594 to $33,118 on kitchen remodeling, at an average of $21,751, according to HomeAdvisor. Additionally, lavish projects can run more than $50,000. Budgets should typically be fairly flexible, allowing a small range and a 5-10% incidental budget for unforeseen issues that may arise.
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5. Inspect, Demo & Inspect: Once you’ve hired your qualified and contractor it’s time for the fun to begin! One crucial part of the process is having a pre-demo home walk-through with your designer, general contractor and possibly a structural engineer. Structural Engineers can consult on the foundation of your home and review any cracks or interior architectural details that you’re considering removing. Post dust…haha, I mean demo, you will need to conduct another walk-through with your team to discuss any plumbing and electrical updates. Tip: if you are remodeling an older home and adding lighting and/or new appliances, your electrician will need to inspect your electrical box to ensure it can hold the new loads. This is where your incidentals budget may kick in. 6. Trust the Process: Although it depends on the size and type of kitchen remodel, an average kitchen remodel takes between four to six weeks, not including the planning and design phase. Once demolition is complete and walls are open, things can begin to look a bit scary, but TRUST THE PROCESS! The next set of phases will begin to reveal the beauty of the plan that your designer created. Lighting, drywall, texturing, paint, flooring cabinets & countertops will begin to bring your space back to life. Tip: choose a flooring that will withstand the function of your kitchen. Stay away from hardwood or engineered wood flooring due to the damage that can be caused if it gets wet. Consider ceramic, porcelain or linoleum flooring instead. |
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7. Lights, Camera, Action! Once the countertops go in, you’re cooking with grease! Now it’s time to add all the beautiful “jewelry” pieces to your kitchen. By this time, your decorative pendants and/or chandelier lighting is up and now you can see how they shine against the backsplash, decorative cabinet hardware, appliances and faucet. These are the basics but, your kitchen may have additional fixtures and appliances such as: a pot filler, wine fridge, steam oven, espresso maker etc. Rounding out the space will be your window treatments, furniture (kitchen table & chairs, stools etc.) and décor.
The dust is clear, the workers are gone and now you can sit back and enjoy your beautiful, new space. Take some time to get to know your new appliances and get ready to bring in all of your pots and gadgets. While doing so, you may want to also incorporate some drawer and cabinet storage solutions.
Are you ready to Design Outside the Lines and start your kitchen remodel project? Contact us today to schedule your 15-minute Discover Call to get started!
Are you ready to Design Outside the Lines and start your kitchen remodel project? Contact us today to schedule your 15-minute Discover Call to get started!
Check out RJ Clifton Designs Kitchen Remodel!
--RJC
Photos Courtesy of Rhonnika Clifton
Photos Courtesy of Rhonnika Clifton
When considering making the investment of redesigning your home (yes, it is an investment!) it’s always best to do 3 things first…plan, budget and seek a professional. From small to large projects, an interior designer can be your best guide to the most cost efficient way to get the job done using the best tradesmen, quality materials and industry expertise.
Contact us today to book your consultation so that you too can have a home that is Designed Outside the Lines.
Rhonnika Clifton- Allied ASID
R J Clifton Designs
(713) 962-2954
www.facebook.com/RJCliftonDesigns
Contact us today to book your consultation so that you too can have a home that is Designed Outside the Lines.
Rhonnika Clifton- Allied ASID
R J Clifton Designs
(713) 962-2954
www.facebook.com/RJCliftonDesigns
Find out more about Rhonnika on the LWR Contributor's Page!