With all the time we spend in the kitchen, it’s no wonder that every few years we feel like changing our style. If you have an older house, your kitchen may have mismatched appliances, that almond-shaped refrigerator you bought a few years ago, with the stainless steel dishwasher, and a stove in that golden yellow color so popular in the 70s. You are definitely ready for a change! However, remodeling a kitchen is one of the most expensive projects you can undertake. So what is a viable solution?
A DIY kitchen design and remodeling project could be the perfect answer. You don’t have to be a master carpenter or an interior designer to do a stunning kitchen makeover. If you organize your DIY kitchen design and remodeling project correctly, you can divide your kitchen makeover into several parts, carried out over a period of time. You won’t even need to ask for a loan. Now we are talking.
It can be hard to imagine the look you want. You have spent years in this kitchen and have grown accustomed to the usual look. A good place to start planning your DIY kitchen design and remodeling project is at the library. Flip through home decor magazines. Look for issues that focus on kitchen designs. There are also magazines dedicated to cooking. Look at different arrangements, color schemes, and features like pantries, islands, breakfast bars, and lighting that you find appealing. Of course, you may not be able to include everything you want or like in your kitchen design, but these magazines will give you all the information you’ll need. Photocopy pages of kitchens with particular features you’d like to integrate into your DIY kitchen design and remodel. Pencil in notes of color schemes and note the manufacturers of particular products (usually in the index) that you like.
Visit your local DIY center. These stores always have brochures for any number of projects, like creating special effects with paint or building a kitchen island, that are free. Check out especially in the kitchen display section for even more ideas. Keep a notebook where you can write down the name or product number of items like tiles, cabinet linings, appliance covers, flooring, light fixtures, sinks, or faucets that you like. Go online too. With this prep work out of the way, you should have a great portfolio of inspiring ideas. Take a look at the wallpaper collections.
The next step in carrying out your DIY kitchen design and remodeling project is the daydreaming phase. Rank through your dream kitchen images and decide which items are must-haves and which are impractical in the scope of your project, whether due to cost or space constraints. You’ll want to measure your existing kitchen, marking on cabinets, countertops, and windows that will remain stationary.
Let’s just say you’ve got your heart set on new paint and flooring, matching appliance tops, new cabinet linings and countertop tops, track lighting, an island, and a window conservatory. wow! Now that is a new kitchen. It sounds ambitious. Now let’s break this makeover into separate projects, done over a period of time. The idea is to organize each task in a way that your budget allows you to complete it, while keeping your kitchen usable during that period, as much as possible.
In this scenario, you’ll probably want to organize your DIY kitchen design and remodeling project as follows:
1. Paint the kitchen. An oil-based paint makes it easier to clean the walls, but it also takes longer to dry than an acrylic paint. Start early in the morning on a bright warm day. Any spills or splashes on the floor or counter won’t matter, as you’ll replace them in a future section of the project. (This might be a good night for a pizza to go.)
2. Replace the covers on your appliances and install track lighting. Both elements require little time, expense, or effort. Track lighting usually comes pre-wired.
3. Lay out your new countertops. Laminates are instant. Tile takes a bit more time, but can be accomplished in a weekend.
4. Install your new cabinet liners. Unfinished liners cost less and can be stained to precisely match your chosen color scheme. Unless your kitchen is quite large, with lots of cabinets, this part of your DIY kitchen design and remodeling project should only be a one or two day weekend project.
5. You’ll want to build and install your kitchen island now. To minimize clutter, cut down all the wood in the garage. When you install your new flooring, you’ll save some money on flooring materials since the island will cover several square feet.
6. Your kitchen makeover is almost complete! Now it’s time for your new floors. This step of your DIY kitchen design and remodel should take no more than a day.
7. Now, install beveled glass shelves in your freshly painted windows. Place pots of fresh herbs on the lowest shelf, with some climbing or climbing plants on the highest shelf.