The Ultimate Kitchen Renovation Guide In Singapore 2022
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The kitchen is the most popular room in the house for renovation. It’s a large job, both financially and in terms of scope. So, before you hire a contractor and start tearing down walls, there are a few things you should think about and prepare for: budgeting, deciding what you want, and arranging how it will all work together.
What to consider before starting your kitchen renovation
Make a budget
Be realistic about the cost of the new kitchen as you plan it. Large restoration projects frequently take longer and cost more money than anticipated, so it's a good idea to set a conservative budget below your maximum budget to guarantee that you have extra funds if your project exceeds your expectations. For unanticipated expenses, a fair rule of thumb is to add a further 10% to 20%. The larger your financial cushion, the better. You don't want to be scrambling for a new loan in the middle of a project, or worse, end up with a half-finished kitchen due to a cash shortage.
Taking into account "hidden" costs
Remember to account for labor and materials costs, as well as taxes and any shipping or delivery fees that may be incurred. These can rapidly add up, so remember to factor them in when making your budget. Consider whether there are any steps along the route that you would like to complete on your own. Even if you only take on a few duties, you can save a lot of money.
Strive for excellence
Always invest in the highest-quality materials you can. You want high-quality, useful things in your kitchen improvements, both for your current use and for possible resale value. High-quality cabinets, worktops, and appliances will also last considerably longer, allowing you to avoid having to renovate your home again while you are still living there.
Consider looking into used materials—you'll often be able to buy higher-quality products than you would be able to afford if you bought them new. Consider reusing or painting existing cabinets purchased from a company that sells repurposed building materials. You can also find high-end things for sale online from private vendors.
Consider your requirements versus your desires
Don't overspend and don't buy things you don't need. It's tempting to acquire all kinds of trendy appliances and gadgets, but it's wiser to stick to the tried-and-true basics that you know you'll use. Keep in mind that each new appliance will result in a slightly higher utility bill. They also add to your upkeep duties and require time and money to maintain.
Creating a Kitchen Design
The kitchen, more than any other room in the house, must be practical and functional. Consider how you currently utilize your kitchen to determine your priorities for the redesigned space. What works and what doesn't when it comes to marketing? Give careful consideration to the room's layout and determine what will work best for your family.
Make use of the classic work triangle whenever possible. Arrange the sink, refrigerator, and stove in a triangular configuration (these are the three features that are utilized the most). Because it eliminates superfluous processes, this is often regarded as the most convenient setup.
Consider how many people are generally in the kitchen at the same time. If there are several, you may want to include more than one workstation. If there is adequate space, consider building an island or purchasing a wheeled cart that can be moved around the room and stored when not in use.
Kitchen Design Concepts
A skilled remodeling contractor can assist you in ensuring that everything is properly laid out for safety, but it is up to you to arrange for ease. When planning your space, keep the following in mind:
- Plan for at least 36 inches of counter space for food prep, with 24 inches on one side of the sink and 18 inches on the other. If you have additional room, make use of it.
- Allow enough room in front of appliances to open their doors while still being able to walk in front of them. A minimum of 30 to 48 inches is required. Also, pay attention to the direction and depth of swinging appliance doors, particularly the refrigerator. If you're going to put your fridge close to a wall, make sure the door swings the other way; otherwise, the wall may prevent the door from fully opening.
Before you start renovating, think about the following points
- Invite your contractor and/or designer into your home to discuss all of your kitchen makeover goals and requirements. This will ensure that your space is designed in a way that will provide you and your family with convenience and ease of mobility. Stick to your goal and don’t get carried away by the excitement or be persuaded to buy the stuff you don’t want or need.
- Don’t expand your kitchen to gain more square footage. Increasing the size of your kitchen by adding a room or even a tiny bump out will be costly and time-consuming (permits, foundation work, framing, etc.). Instead, investigate if you can discover extra space in a nearby closet, corridor, sunroom, or other areas. The current craze is for large, open kitchens, but this may not always be the case (especially when you go and sell in twenty years). Plus, you won’t have to be a slave to your general contractor for 6-12 months if you don’t have a large kitchen.
- Spend a lot of money on cabinets and floors. The floor and cabinets are the two parts of your kitchen that will endure the most abuse. Choose solid wood cabinet faces and a plywood box that is fully constructed. Look for drawers with dovetail joinery and large mechanical slides. Avoid hardwood floors (they simply don’t make sense in an area that will see a lot of foot traffic, spills of all kinds, water, and so on). Choose a porcelain tile or a natural stone surface instead (though the latter will require sealing). Hardwood floors are wonderful to stand on because they give a little and relieve back strain, but they can’t compare to the strength and durability of a solid, unbreakable tile surface.
Still confused how to renovate your kitchen and give it a good look? You can check here for the list of top reno contractors in SG for kitchen renovation who can change your old kitchen into a premium luxury kitchen.
Conclusion
A modern kitchen with all the bells and whistles makes a home more appealing these days (although maybe good schools and neighborhoods are more important!). And the majority of new homeowners either opt for a property with a beautiful kitchen or want to improve their kitchen at some point during their homeownership experience, which is why we created our kitchen renovation guide.
The kitchen house renovation process is time-consuming, but it can be quite lucrative in terms of return on investment and pleasure factor if done right (that is to say, how it feels to spend time in a new space). You can avoid some of the arduous components of the kitchen renovation process, but you will undoubtedly feel angry, defeated, and upset at some point during the project – this is a truth.
