Top 5 Things You Should Do Before Your Next Kitchen Remodel

Top 5 Things You Should Do Before Your Next Kitchen Remodel.

Remodeling your kitchen can be fun, exciting and frustrating. Luckily, you have the folks at Your Home Center to help you cut through the frustrating part so you can focus on the fun!

Below is a list of things you should do before starting your kitchen renovation or upgrade.

Start the Clock

Right off the bat, you should be aware that a kitchen renovation is not a quick process. A typical kitchen remodel will take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. In some cases even longer if you are ordering custom cabinetry.  So make sure your expectations are set for a process that will take some time.

Design and Decide

A consultation with a qualified kitchen designer or contractor may seem intimidating but once you get out of the gate and start to ask questions you’ll see that designers and decorators are a valuable part of the entire process. It’s not just picking colors and products, it’s actually talking with someone who’s experienced this procedure before - they can usually tell you what has worked in the past and they’ll know what should work best for you in your particular space. Don’t be intimidated to ask questions and get other people’s opinions, you’ll be glad you did. Oh, and by the way, this is probably the only part in the entire process that’s FREE (at least here at Your Home Center it is), so take advantage of it!

Know what you want

This sounds simple right? But it isn't. It’s important to know what your needs in the kitchen are first, then you can design around those needs. For example; do you have a large family that would benefit from a double sink-or would a single sink do just fine? Do you want your appliances off your counters and placed within your design? Is a single oven enough? You get the idea. Sit with your partner and jot down the items that are important to you, it will help you significantly in the end.

Light it up!

Looking at your kitchen currently…does it have enough light? Did you always want the window above the sink moved? How about a window to see directly into the backyard, would you like one of those? What about electrical outlets? Are there enough outlets in your current space or would you like more? Recessed lighting under your cabinets is a growing trend these days and a great addition to any kitchen. All of these decisions should be thought of early in the process so that you are not overwhelmed when your designers or contractor suggests these upgrades. Being prepared always helps.

Stock up and Store

Again, this sounds like a simple thing (but this stage is always overlooked)! Remember, you will definitely be without a kitchen for a really long time, so what will you do when you can’t (conveniently) use your coffee maker or microwave. What about grabbing a simple glass of water, or finding a dish to eat a bagel? You didn't think of this, huh? Remember, eating out every night can get quite expensive so it’s best to plan a make-shift room (or portion of the home) that will serve as a pantry, cooking area and storage for glasses, dishes and silverware. In addition, until your new appliances arrive, plan on keeping your refrigerator or microwave plugged in so you can keep milk, juice and other items fresh for daily use.

Part of a successful kitchen remodel is proper planning. In addition to choosing products, colors and appliances, some of these steps are just as important to a great kitchen remodeling experience then the actual construction. Being prepared, using some of these tips above will definitely make a difference.

Have any ideas we may have forgotten? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Seal Your Counter Tops in 3 Easy Steps!

You've just purchased a brand new kitchen with a beautiful granite, marble, quartz or other hard surface counter top. 

At the time of purchase you were so excited that you forgot to commit one small detail to your memory..."How to Clean and Seal your new Counter Top!"  Well, worry no more...we've got you covered! Remember, sealing your counter tops is an important maintenance project that should not be forgotten. Sealing provides an invisible, protective barrier that prevents water and oil-based soils from penetrating and staining the surface of your counters. It's a good idea to repeat this process every 6 to 9 months OR when water droplets no longer bead on the surface. OK, let's get started.

Step 1: Before sealing your counter top, remove all appliances and obstructions from your counters. 

Using a professional cleaner, spray and wipe the surface completely. Use a clean soft cloth to remove any grease, soil, stains or watermarks. Let air dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Now, let's Seal Your Top! Note: If you have a large area to seal, just work on it in sections.

Step 2: After you are sure the area you cleaned is completely dry, grab your sealer and spray the entire work surface until it is evenly wet. Do not over saturate. If your sealer is absorbed immediately, just apply another layer of sealer to the surface. Allow your sealer to penetrate the surface for approximately 5 minutes but do not let the sealer dry completely.

Step 3: Using a clean cotton towel or cloth, gently wipe the sealer in to your counter top using a circular motion. In addition to removing excess sealer you'll also be buffing your counter to a high gloss shine. That's it, you're done! Allow the surface to dry for an additional 4 to 6 hours, replace your appliances and use as normal.

If you keep this up routinely, your counter top should continue to look great and remain durable year after year!

http://www.yourhomecenter.net