There are many reasons to remodel a kitchen. Maybe you’re looking for a way to increase your home’s value, or maybe your current kitchen is just a little outdated. No matter what the reason, remodeling a kitchen is one of the most complex home improvement projects you can undertake.
If you’ve never remodeled a kitchen before, you may end up getting ahead of yourself. After all, it’s a lot more fun to look at countertops and cabinets than it is to think about financing!
However, there are three things you need to think about before you jump headfirst into your remodel.
Get the Right Financing
Kitchen remodels are time-consuming, and they can be expensive. It can all pay off in the end, but only if you choose the right kitchen remodel financing.
You can actually compare interest rates online, which makes it easier than ever before to find the right personal loan for your next project.
In addition, a personal loan allows you to maintain the equity in your home, and it allows you to keep your emergency savings fund right where it is. That way you’re still covered in the case of a life-changing event, like deciding to go back to college or losing your job.
Function Before Form
It’s easy to get excited about beautiful glass cabinet doors and knocking down walls to make your kitchen bigger, but just because these options are beautiful doesn’t mean they’re right for your family. You need to think about function before form.
Glass probably isn’t the best option if you have kids at home, and a bigger kitchen could mean walking 15 feet from the sink to your oven, which will get old pretty fast. Think about how you use your kitchen before you start picking all the details.
Plan Ahead for Living Without a Kitchen
In the excitement of a remodel, you may not consider the fact that you’ll go weeks or even months without a kitchen. How are you planning to feed your family if you don’t have access to a fridge or an oven? Here are a few ideas:
- If you can afford it, consider moving in with a friend or family member, or renting an apartment until the remodel is complete.
- If you’re staying in your home, set up a temporary kitchen in another area of the house with a sink, like the basement or the garage.
- Keep all your most-used utensils handy and box up items that you use infrequently to get them out of the way.
- Consider making freezer meals before the remodel begins.
- Stockpile restaurant coupons and takeout information as you’re planning your remodel.
There are tons of things to think about when remodeling a kitchen, but often, it’s the smallest things that can make the biggest difference in how you live during and after the remodel. With these three tips, you can at least make sure your project gets off to a good start.