With the festive season approaching, we tend to forget that our kitchen is going to be hoarded with loads of people and to welcome guests in a kitchen that looks not that good isn’t one of your plans! Well, if you have given the though to have your kitchen remodeled during this period, then it is advisable to do it before the visitors start to come in. Renovating in winter is not such a bad idea as you can get the materials for a lower price. If you are still confused about how to do it, then here are 12 ways to remodel your kitchen this winter.
1. You will need to set up a temporary kitchen in another part of the house. Make sure it is a convenient location with have access to water and a space to keep food cold as well as a place to heat meals. Sometimes portable appliances like a crockpot or electric frying pan and a small dorm fridge and microwave work well for a temporary arrangement if you will be replacing your old appliances.
2. Dismantle the kitchen. Remove cabinet doors first. Most cabinets are attached to the wall by two screws. Make sure you have a plan for holding up the cabinets up as you remove the screws. Carefully remove the doorway and window trim if you plan to reuse them. Slide a putty knife next to the nails and tug gently, working your way to the corner. Shut off the power and remove appliances and lighting fixtures that are directly wired. Cover exposed wires with wire nuts. Use a crowbar to force sheets of paneling from the walls. You can employ a sledgehammer for brute force, but don’t smash the studs.
3. Make sure you think about how long the job will take. Most jobs take longer than expected. This can be frustrating for everyone, so it’s in your best interest to set a realistic date and that way you won’t be disappointed.
4. Make sure you know what you are going to reuse. Whether you do some of the work yourself or hire it out, make sure that it is clear what things are going to be reused. The cabinets, countertops, and flooring can become damaged during a remodel, and if you are planning on reusing them, this can be a huge problem and expense. Remember to be careful around these reusable items.
5. Make sure you seal off the room properly, so you don’t get dust and debris all over the house. If you have hired someone to do the job, they will probably know just what to do, but if you are doing it yourself, invest in some plastic sheeting and make sure you secure it around the doorways as good as possible.
6. Get everything out of the kitchen. Box up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen. Label the boxes and store them out of the way.
7. Be smart about cabinets installation. Assess the existing condition of your kitchen before you decide to install cabinets as these are going to be there for a long time. Check out the floor layout before actually going to the contractor to decide on the cabinet. Counter-tops and cabinets need to be leveled up with the floor area.
8. Make arrangements for the removal of any refuse that may accumulate during the remodeling. If you must rent a dumpster, do so in plenty of time or have a pickup truck on hand for hauling the rubbish to the dump. If you plan to salvage the old cabinetry for a workshop or donation to a charitable cause, have a place ready for them to go as you take them out of your work area.
9. Think safety and remember to turn off all utilities before removing any major appliances, turn off all utilities. This can be done at the individual shut off valves for gas and water. If there are no shut off valves, you will have to turn off the main valve. The main gas valve is usually located near the gas meter. Remember that, once you turn off the gas to the whole house, all pilot lights will have to be relit before they will work again. Without careful planning, you may find yourself without hot water when you’re ready to clean up after a hard day’s work.
10. In older homes, the wiring may have been modified over the years, and it may not be clear which circuits or fuses control specific areas. If you are unsure, turn off the main power or get professional assistance. Never take a chance with electricity! In addition, tape over the breakers so they won’t be turned on inadvertently. If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, it will be necessary to dismantle all existing outlets and fixtures.
11. Remove all light bulbs. Then, dismantle each fixture by using a screwdriver to unscrew the plate and the receptacle and pull the receptacle out of the box. Put wire nuts on any exposed wires for the interim. The bare copper wire is the ground and does not need to be capped.
12. Remember who is in charge! If you are planning to hire a contractor to handle all your kitchen remodeling, then hire the best at Desire Home Deco in New York City. Always stay in touch with your contractor, who will give you an idea of how you want the work to be done.
My wife and I want to renovate our kitchen space before we host this year’s Christmas dinner, so we’re looking for renovation tips. We loved what you explained about creating a layout of our kitchen before speaking with a contractor, so we’ll keep this in mind for sure. We’re grateful for your insight on kitchen remodels and how we’d get ours started.