So uh, you wanna renovate your kitchen huh? Well, good luck with that. Kitchen renovation sounds easy but trust me it’s not. I’ve done it twice and wow, it’s a lot of work and some big headaches too. But if you plan right, you can get a kitchen that looks nice and works better.
Why even renovate kitchen?
Well first thing is kitchens get old fast, or maybe your cupboards are broken or you just hate the look. Some people want more space, some want better appliances, some want a place for friends to chill. Or maybe you just want that fancy kitchen you see on Instagram, who knows.
Plan! I mean it, plan before doing anything
Sounds boring but if you don’t plan you’re gonna be stuck with half-done kitchen and no money left lol.
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Budget – figure out how much cash you got for this. Kitchens get expensive fast. And keep some money for stuff that might go wrong, like pipes breaking or something.
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Layout – think how you use kitchen. There’s this thing called kitchen triangle (stove, sink, fridge) and you want them close so you’re not running like crazy.
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Style – what look you want? Modern? Old-school? Rustic? This decide what color and materials you buy.
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Storage – kitchens need tons of storage. You never have enough space for all those spices and pans.
Kitchen ideas you can try
1. Open shelves
Instead of cabinets, open shelves are trendy now. You can show your nice plates but gotta keep them clean or looks messy fast.
2. Kitchen island
If you have room, get an island. More counter space and you can eat there too. But small kitchen + island = cramped.
3. New countertops
Old counters get scratched and stained. Replace them for fresh look. Granite or quartz are fancy but costly. Laminate is cheap but doesn’t last as long.
4. New sink and faucet
A big sink is lifesaver. Pull-out spray faucet is super handy. Stainless steel common but farmhouse sinks look cool.
5. Better lighting
Lots people forget light. Under-cabinet lights help cooking. Pendant lights over island look good too. Natural light is best if you have window.
6. Change backsplash
Protect wall and add style. Subway tiles are cheap and classic but you can use colorful tiles or patterns if you like.
7. Paint or replace cabinets
If cabinets are okay but old looking paint them. White is safe and bright. If cabinets broken get new ones but expensive.
8. Storage hacks
Pull-out shelves, lazy susans, hooks on walls for pans. Use all vertical space for spices or mugs.
Things to remember
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Don’t move sink or plumbing if you can. Moving pipes expensive.
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Electrical work should be done by pro. Need enough sockets for appliances.
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Good ventilation needed. Exhaust fan or chimney for smoke and smell.
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Flooring should be easy to clean like tiles or vinyl. No carpet please.
Mistakes to avoid
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Not planning and starting too fast
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Going over budget cause of surprises
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Choosing appliances that dont fit space
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No enough storage ends with clutter
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Picking crazy colors you hate later
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Bad lighting and ventilation
DIY or hire?
Small stuff like painting or shelves maybe DIY if you have time. Plumbing and electrical better hire pro unless you want disaster.
How long does it take?
Small kitchen redo maybe 1-2 weeks. Full renovation can be month or more. Expect dust and no kitchen use sometimes.
How much?
Varies a lot. Simple reno from ₹50,000. Fancy ones several lakhs easy. Labor cost big part. Get multiple quotes and dont pick cheapest blindly.
Final words
Kitchen reno is hard but worth it. Plan, budget, take your time. Hire pros when needed. Soon you’ll have kitchen you actually like to use (not just for pics).