Considering a kitchen renovation in 2022? Not too sure where to start? Mint Kitchens investigates all the steps needed to get you started, plus; top tips to consider before you call in the designers.

If a new kitchen is on the horizon this year, now is the time to get prepared. But before you head out and start searching for the perfect kitchen designer, there are some important things to consider first. Having a good solid plan, will not only make the whole process much easier but will also allow you to give guidance to your kitchen designer. This is vitally important and will save you time, and also allow you to have a clear picture of what you want, and what you need.

All About Budgets

When it comes to any major renovation, getting your budget right is extremely important. Knowing exactly what you have to spend will impact the overall design and features of your new kitchen. It is not uncommon to hear of many homeowners not being prepared for the overall budget and what things will actually affect the cost of the kitchen renovation, only to fall short before the project is completed. It’s also advisable to have a little extra left in the kitty when it comes to the overall budget.

Unexpected costs can arise with any renovations so it’s good to be prepared. Be careful about making changes once the project is underway – it’s always better to take the time at the beginning to ensure the design is absolutely what you want, as additional features or changes can end up costing a lot more later in the process.

Researching what things will cost, speaking to professionals, and getting a good understanding of what you want will help you plan your budget.

Some professionals advise a basic rule of thumb when it comes to figuring out exactly how much you should spend on a kitchen remodel and renovation. This is no less than five percent of the value of your home, and no more than 15 percent. It is also suggested to add an extra 15-20 percent for any unseen and unexpected costs.

Once you have your exact budget it’s important to stick with it. Your kitchen designer can offer you a range of wonderful budget-conscious tips and tricks to ensure your kitchen dreams come true and within your price range. With so many impressive kitchen manufacturing products on the marketplace, means you are not sacrificing style and durability.

Building Work?

This is another top consideration when it comes to your new kitchen renovation. Will the new kitchen need any major building work or demolition? Or is it a simple strip out and remodel?

Building work will cost extra and this will need to be included in your budgeting costs. Another aspect to consider is also the plumbing of your new kitchen. If you are contemplating moving all of your major stations – cooking, cleaning, workspaces – this will need to be correctly assessed and budgeted for.

Get Dreaming

It’s all about themes, colours, and ensuring the new kitchen fits with the overall feel of the home. Now is the time to get that vision board up to scratch and refine exactly what you want your new kitchen to look like. There are also many different kitchen designs to suit different homes, from a Hampton style to contemporary and classic kitchens, to black and white themes.

Take some time online to find inspiration from a range of kitchen sites. Sites such as Houzz and Pinterest can be very helpful in developing your concept when it comes to themes and colours and you can create an online “look book” to share with your designer.

It’s also good to keep in mind the entire flow of your home. Unless you are considering revamping the entire home, the kitchen colours and themes will need to complement the existing style of the home to ensure the space fits with the impression and atmosphere of the entire abode.

Grab some sample pots of paint and experiment with the type of colours you want in the space. Having a good idea of exactly what you are looking for in terms of your overall theme will really help your designer encapsulate exactly what you want.

#TopTips

• Create a vision board
• Order samples – think flooring, laminates, and sample paints
• Get your colour theme firmly in place
• Be open to change
• Ensure the theme fits with the entire home

Fantastically Functional

Don’t forget about the functional aspects of your new kitchen. It’s wonderful to have a beautiful new kitchen, but the most important feature of all kitchens is functionality. What a family needs in terms of the operational characteristics of the kitchen, compared to singles and couples, can drastically differ.

Families may consider ample appliances – think stacked ovens – or safety for little hands. While avid entertainers may choose a vast array of cooking appliances such as steam ovens, multifunctional devices, and wine fridges.

Having a good outline of what you want your kitchen to do is fundamental, from entertaining, to feeding a small tribe, or romantic nights cooking for two. Likewise, what types of food do you mainly cook? This will also hugely impact the types of features you want to include in your overall design.

Consider who does most of the cooking? This could change the height of kitchen benchtops or allow you to consider different height benches for different usages. Today, it’s not uncommon for many homeowners to be incorporating smart island benches that can easily be converted from a prep space into a home office or homework station. Having these things clearly set out in your project plan will help your designer incorporate all the needed aspects and appliances into your kitchen.

Kitchen Renovation Stages

Once you have clear picture of what you want your kitchen to look and feel like, now is the time to call in the experts. They can help you put all of your dreams into a solid plan of action. This will include creating a design brief and adding additional design concepts. Once this is approved, the manufacture, demolition, and installation of your dream kitchen can begin.

Research is key when it comes to finding the perfect renovation company to tackle your kitchen project. Start by compiling a list of desired kitchen designers and then research each one independently.

Ask yourself:

• How long has the company been designing and installing kitchens?
• Client testimonials?
• Do they specialise in the type of kitchen style I want?
• Ask to see examples of finished projects.
• Follow up with references.
• Ask friends and family who have recently renovated.

With some hearty planning, a dash of creative energy, and some professional advice, you can have the kitchen of your dreams in 2022. Happy planning! Contact us today if you need to book a consultation, we have over 30+ years of experience in the kitchen renovation industry at Mint Kitchens.