If there’s no place like home, there is definitely no room like the kitchen. Far beyond a place to cook and consume food, the kitchen is often the heart of family activity; ours morphs from kitchen to study to classroom, to meeting room, to TV lounge and finally back to kitchen on adaily basis.
Tread carefully before purchasing a set of new kitchen doors- Sandy Calleja Portelli
This vital space within the home must adapt to suit the ever-changing needs of those who occupy the home. And yet, the very vitality of this space can make it appear inflexible in terms of redecorating this room. However, giving your kitchen a facelift is fully within the bounds of possibility and may be much simpler than expected.
Research is always the key to a successful project. You know what is wrong with your existing kitchen, but do you know what is available. Before embarking on any redecoration exercise, take the time to tour the furniture showrooms and explore every kitchen in sight. Study home interior and lifestyle magazines and supplements; they are a font of inspiration.
The simplest, cheapest and quickest way to revamp your kitchen is to change the colour scheme. If your kitchen units have a wooden or other neutral finish the world, or rather the rainbow is your oyster.
Look beyond changing the colours of your walls and window-dressing, adding a further touch of colour with co-ordinating small appliances, crockery and equipment. If bold colours appear too daunting for your tastes or kitchen size, consider introducing a feature wall, painting the remaining walls in a subtler complementary colour.
If a more drastic change is required, consider changing the unit doors. Unless your kitchen was custom-made, you will probably find that the cupboards are of a standard size, making it relatively simple to update the furniture.
Tread carefully before purchasing a set of new kitchen doors; your new doors should complement not clash with the style of the existing kitchen. Red lacquered doors look fantastic on a modern kitchen but will probably look less so fixed onto cottage style units.
Of course, your kitchen ailments may run far deeper than a cosmetic affair, but all is not lost if you like the furniture but have issues with the layout. With the help of a good designer and a competent team of skilled workers, your dream kitchen lies within the realms of possibility without necessarily tearing the whole thing out and starting again.
Your point of departure should be to compile an exhaustive list of what you consider is inadequate in your existing room. Next, make an equally intensive list of the features your ideal kitchen would include.
Next, spend some time window shopping and browsing through the glossies, on the web and don’t be afraid to cast an attentive eye to any kitchen you step foot in. By now you should have a pretty clear idea of what your ‘new’ kitchen will look like and you are ready to start seeking out your team of professionals.
Start by talking to a designer who will be able to put your ideas down on paper and will be able to guide you through the entire process. Some designers can put you in touch with suppliers who would be suitable for your project but do not hesitate to shop around for quotations. Check all quotations to ensure that all works are included, otherwise you might be hit by a nasty surprise by way of a hefty increase in the final bill.
The first craftsman to consult would be the carpenter, as the project can only go ahead if the woodwork is deemed suitable. Factors such as the condition of the wood and whether the kitchen was fitted in sections will determine how much or how little can be altered. If you wish to update the cupboards’ internal spaces with, for example, pull-out drawers, this is the time to explore the possibilities.
If you have had your electrical appliances for over eight years, it would be wise to trade them in for new ones which would be more economical to run. If time is on your side, waiting for the seasonal sales could save you a wad of cash.
Having decided to go ahead with the renovation, do not hesitate to purchase your appliances before knowing when works will commence as most suppliers will be happy to deliver the goods at your convenience. Just be sure to check how much advance notice the company would need for delivery.
Bear in mind that most guarantees require the appliances be plugged in by a company-appointed technician, so find out how long it takes to make an appointment which in some cases can be at least seven working days.
Consider the room as a whole: will the light fittings need tobe moved? Do you plan to install an airconditioner? LED lighting? Can the countertops be modified or do you need to consult with a marble layer/tiler?
These are all factors that will determine the duration of the works and auxiliary works that are required. Moving light fittings may require the installation of a false ceiling, a new location for the TV might require a visit by your service provider’s technician. To prevent a logistical nightmare, it is worth setting up appointments with all your suppliers ensuring that, once started, work on your kitchen is ongoing.
So, you have a schedule in place, the budget is organised and your kitchen transformation is about to begin. The heart of the family home will be practically out of bounds for the duration, so unless you plan to subsist on take-outs and eat-outs, bake a few meals beforehand and keep them in the freezer.
All that’s left is to take a deep breath, bring out the dust sheets and look forward to enjoying your ‘new’ kitchen.