Nesting season is upon us now that the weather is turning chilly. As we head back indoors we begin to look around our homes with fresh eyes. After months of living outside it’s an interesting and sometimes illuminating experience to head back indoors. We notice things about our space that we may have become blind to. Or maybe we’ve been avoiding the inevitable, knowing that some things in our space need to change. And the desire for spaces to be renovated becomes heightened. Afterall, we know we have several months inside and it’s so much nicer to hibernate in a space we love.
If this sounds like you, you'll want to read on because today I’m sharing the best tips for renovating the two most important rooms in our spaces - our kitchen and bathrooms.
RENOVATING A FUNCTIONAL AND STYLISH KITCHEN AND/OR BATHROOM
1/ BE CLEAR ON YOUR GOALS
Before any project begins you need to be crystal clear on the outcome you hope to achieve. If you’re not clear you’ll waste precious time and money sorting that out along with your team. I can’t begin any project without having a tremendous amount of knowledge regarding your goals. The same goes for your entire team so be prepared before you begin.
If you’re unsure where to begin getting organized, sit down and meet with your team. Let them know you’re unclear about how to start. Under their direction you can get focused clarity and begin the long process of moving forward.
2/ IGNORE THE TRENDS
Trends come and go and they can be great additions to your home when used sparingly throughout. I love to use trends but prefer to focus on decor and artwork because the investment is not as significant as the more expensive elements of your home.
Try to avoid using trends in kitchens and bathrooms because these are the most expensive spaces to renovate. You don’t want to be forced to replace any outdated materials before the time is right.
3/ LEAVE THE PLUMBING WHERE IT IS
One of the biggest expenses you can incur is moving plumbing. It’s a huge undertaking and will take a large bite out of your budget. The only exception is when you’re removing walls and expanding the size and shape of a bathroom or kitchen. In this case it’s unavoidable but you’ll likely have budgeted for that project.
Unless there’s something really glaringly wrong I recommend working with the layout. There are other areas where you can get a bigger bang for your buck. And at the end of the day I typically find that the placement of plumbing is usually correct.
4/ THE COST SHOULD REFLECT THE VALUE OF YOUR HOME
Consider your home’s value and the neighbourhood you live in when creating your budget. You don’t want to over invest or underinvest when it comes to the kitchen or bathroom.
If for instance your home is worth $500k you don’t want to spend $150k on a kitchen renovation. The ratio is too high. Likewise, you don’t want to spend $50k on a home valued at $3m. Make sure the expense aligns with the total value. If you want to learn more about creating budget friendly renovations, read this post.
5/ DESIGN AROUND YOUR LIFE
Unless you’re renovating for resale, you should always consider how you live in your space. You want to maximize every inch of your space during kitchen and bathroom renos. On top of the maximization you also want to be sure you are accommodating your lifestyle needs.
If you love hair tools you’ll want to be sure you have ample storage space for hair dryers and curling irons. If you love coffee you’ll want to consider a built-in coffee maker. Whatever your family priorities are, be sure you’re planning to incorporate them into your design.
It’s always sad to see homeowners unhappy after their renovation because they hadn’t taken the time necessary in the planning stage. It can be entirely avoided if you take the time to prioritize the things that truly matter to your family.
6/ CONSIDER MATERIALS TO REDUCE CLEANING TIME
Some materials are beautiful to look at but can be difficult to maintain. Marble is one of those gorgeous materials that will look great initially but will show every coffee ring or spilled toothpaste. In some cases the beauty of the patina can be embraced and if that’s you then enjoy it.
While Europeans do love their marble with all its imperfections, here in North America we’re not usually quite so forgiving so consider how you prefer to live. You want to select materials that will look great for years but also allows for easy maintenance.
7/ CONSIDER CLEARANCES
In order to avoid traffic congestion in your kitchen or bathroom, plan for clearances around doors, drawers and appliances. You want to be sure you can move past an open fridge door so that you’re not causing a traffic jam when deciding what’s for dinner.
If you have hired a designer, this is all part of their design process. If you’re working alone you’ll need to pay extra attention to details like this. Many contractors do great work at the renovation and installation stages but aren’t trained to recognize traffic flow issues. It’s up to you to catch those errors before they’re finalized.
8/ PLAN FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
These are the essential tools in your kitchen and bathroom and you want to be sure you’re planning ahead for what you need. From microwave to coffee maker you want to incorporate the appropriate electrical outlets so that cords aren’t being dragged across countertops.
You also want to consider the use of each room. For instance, a living room or family room may require floor plugs along with wall plugs. If you have a sofa with a console table holding a lamp you don’t want to create a tripping hazard by dragging the cord across the floor to the wall. This is mostly true in open concept homes but pay attention before the electrical is complete.
9/ MAXIMIZE WALL SPACE
Often when I meet with a new renovation client they haven’t really considered how to maximize the space. There’s a lot of wasted space, particularly in kitchens. Consider cabinetry that reaches up to the ceiling. Yes, it will cost more money and it’s harder to reach those upper level cabinets but that’s often a great space to store seasonal or holiday dishes or glassware. You want to take advantage of every square inch of your space so consider the vertical space as well.
10/ ALWAYS CONSULT EXPERTS
Whether it’s lighting, flooring, cabinetry or plumbing you want to gather the best team of experts available to you. Save the DIY skills for smaller projects around your home and let the team of experts guide you to the finish line of these important spaces in your home.
If you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation, reach out to me. I’d love to hear about your project and share with you how I can help.
Kristina
