The kitchen is one the most important rooms in your home as it’s the centre of your family get-togethers. People spend an average of 15 hours a week in this room, so why not take this into consideration when remodelling your kitchen? Design an efficient and inviting space in the style you love.
The kitchen is a major factor when it comes to determining the value of your home. Although a kitchen renovation requires considerable investment, it will significantly increase the value of your home while improving your quality of life in that space.
Here are some effective ways to make your dream kitchen a reality:
The first step to planning a new kitchen is to set a budget. This important step will save you time and money, and it will help you deal with any of the unexpected surprises that sometimes occur during renovations. Always remember that the work you’re doing now is an added value to your home! Here are our suggestions:
1. For your budget, enter all of the components of your new kitchen (cabinets, counters, sink, fixtures, backsplash, flooring, cabinet handles, etc.) into a table. Add an additional 10% to cover any unexpected expenses. For installation costs, calculate an additional 25 to 50% of the total budget, depending on the complexity of the work and size of the kitchen.
2. Set deadlines. Allow 4 to 8 weeks for the completion of the renovations and determine delivery times that fit into the work schedule.
3. Make a list describing the things you want in your kitchen. For example, the size of the counter, the amount of storage space, an island, a wine cooler, or a work area for the kids to do their homework. You have to know exactly what you want before you can turn these ideas into reality.
4. Measure your appliances: table, stools, microwave and the surface area of your walls (don’t forget the windows). A sketch with the approximate dimensions of your walls and appliances can be helpful, or you can go to the rona.ca website to use the handy “RONA Kitchen Designer” application.
5. Get the advice of an expert who will help you to maximize the space and flow of the room. Professionals in this field are also familiar with the building codes that must be followed to ensure that your kitchen installation is safe.
6. Start putting together your decor. You will have to choose the cabinets, countertop, handles, range hood, sink and faucets.
Since the kitchen is not a project that you redo every year (but every 10 years on average), you should give it a classic look that will endure passing fads. Luckily, timely and trendy go hand in hand when it comes to kitchen colours in 2012. In wood or pressed wood, choose cherry in light or exotic colours, or even wood that has been reused, faded or aged to give your kitchen an antique feel.
White doors with a glossy, aged look are a favourite in MDF or painted wood. Recessed centres are also much desired, as they add the perfect blend of modern simplicity and antique charm.
In melamine, thermoplastic and polyester, a wood in an ash-coloured light to medium shade is always a favourite. Doors with a recessed centre panel in the shaker style or flat-front doors can make any room look ultra modern and sumptuous. If you’re going with white, adding glass doors will revolutionize the look of melamine kitchens.
The designers in our STUDIO by RONA stores are there to listen to your needs and provide expert advice and guidance when planning the look and layout of your kitchen. They will draw up a plan for you that meets your expectations and coordinate your project with the workers and suppliers to make your renovation go as smoothly as possible. These project experts will help you to choose your materials and finishes to make your kitchen the heart of your home.
A successful renovation project starts with organization, preparation and passion. Enjoy!
Marie-Claude Brousseau, RONA by Designs designer
A favourite of Décormag by Marie-Hélène Leboeuf on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Colour 101 by RONAMAG on Monday, April 1, 2013
Decor column by RONAMAG on Sunday, March 31, 2013
