Cost Of A Kitchen Renovation
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Your kitchen is arguably the most important part of your home - most lives revolves around the kitchen. The cost of a kitchen (and its appliances) accounts for about 20% of the total cost of an house or apartment - and there are many reasons why your kitchen may be in need of a renovation or update. The growth of families or the growth of children is a major factor. However, also consider new developments in materials, appliances and power-saving devices - and, of course, repair and maintenance work.
The cost of a kitchen renovation varies significantly and depends on the design, interior decoration, ergonomics, aesthetics and appliance brands. When planning an affordable kitchen renovation, it is always a good idea to start with a sketch pad and get everyone's ideas down on paper. Do this with a roughly to-scale drawing of the space so you can immediately see what will fit and what will be functional. A number of computer programs are available for online download for this very purpose, allowing you to create interactive sketches of your kitchen based on data and dimensions you provide.
An important thing to be kept in mind before starting the renovation is to leave ample space for walking - do not be tempted to cramp your kitchen with useless things. Too many cooks spoil the broth - and too many additions clutter a kitchen! A proper estimate of the size of the kitchen should be taken before making any changes to the existing structure. Here are some guidelines about the features of a kitchen which will help you to understand the cumulative cost of a kitchen renovation.
Flooring
There are different options
available for kitchen flooring - including carpet! Carpet manufacturers actually offer highly stain-resistant materials which give the advantage of working on a soft floor covering. However, the most important consideration will be the ease of cleaning and safety of the surface. Options for more resilient flooring include timber, vinyl, cork, ceramic and natural stone. These flooring types tend to be the most suitable for the kitchen environment - and a flat, stable sub-floor preparation is essential to any floor installation. When deciding which flooring to go with, consider whether the sub-floor is sound and stable, whether the final surface is shiny or dull, whether the surface will prove easily cleanable, and whether the floor will be dangerous in terms of slippage.
Accessories
Kitchen renovation includes the smaller things as well - such as replacing different accessories, including decorations, worktops, doors and door handles. These should be replaced as per individual taste and overall styling of the kitchen. When replacement is not possible, a new paint or laminate will sometimes get the job done.
Cabinets
A kitchen is incomplete without cabinets - they are noticeable and functional aspects of the room. There should be enough cabinets to hold all of your cooking objects and utensils, while at the same time providing enough space for food. Cabinet replacement constitutes a major part of the kitchen renovation cost and if one is unable to perform the replacement, the existing cabinets could be relocated, repainted and new handles could be fitted to give the kitchen a new and better look.
Walls
Renewing the look of your kitchen walls can be one of the easiest aspects of renovation - repainting or wallpapering is cost effective, or consider adding wall tile splashbacks in a few areas to change the vibe.
Lighting
Although options for kitchen lighting are diverse, you may want to try methods of adding more natural light into the kitchen space instead. Obviously, there is the benefit of cost savings in reduced energy bills, but furthermore, natural light opens up a room and provides a fresh and dazzling look to existing furnishings. A very popular option in kitchen renovations is the installation of a skylight, so long as your budget and the location of the kitchen permits it. A glass door and plenty of windows will also add more lighting to your kitchen.
Conclusion
Kitchen renovations can be very expensive tasks, particularly if re-work is needed because it was not done properly in the first place! Consider using a professional service before undertaking the DIY so you have a fair indication of the 'real' costs involved. Although it may seem expensive, moving the risk to a professional and having someone else responsible for the outcome can often be worth more than money.
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