7 things you should never skimp on when renovating your kitchen
Perhaps, kitchen renovation is the most expensive item in the family budget. Well, no other room requires such attention and care. Of course, in some places you can save money when choosing finishing materials, appliances, and furniture. However, there are kitchen issues when excessive frugality during repairs will result in additional money expenses in the future. We advise you to familiarize yourself with this list so that everything goes with a bang and turns out as you planned.
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Designer and planner services
Acting on the principle “we can do everything ourselves” is, of course, approved, but starting to design the kitchen interior yourself is completely wrong. And the point here is not that you won’t succeed, it’s just that a designer is needed in order to provide for all the nuances of the interior.
Only a master of his craft is able to correctly and competently draw a wiring diagram, drainage and water supply layout, draw a tile layout and a furniture arrangement plan - so that everything is functional, thoughtful, convenient and practical.
Of course, the services of a professional will not cost a penny, but you are not doing repairs for a month, or even for a year. If you want to end up with a kitchen in which you can enjoy spending time and cooking, then it’s better to entrust it to a specialist, no matter how much you might want to do everything yourself.
Some ideas that you have already thought through in your head can be voiced to the designer. He will take into account your wishes and tell you how best to bring them to life.
Flooring
The ideal option is a durable coating that will last you a long time. Although some materials can be combined. For example, it is better to lay porcelain stoneware next to the work area, and decorate the rest of the space with parquet or laminate.
Remember that the kitchen is still an aggressive zone in the house, since most often drops of grease, water, acids (such as vinegar and lemon juice) and other substances scatter here, which do not always have a positive effect on the floor covering. Why porcelain tiles? Everything is very simple - it is easy to clean, and at the same time it is acceptable to use hard tools and not the most gentle cleaning products. By the way, wood and laminate cannot boast of this.
Kitchen apron material
This is also one of the most problematic areas, because often it is near the kitchen apron that we prepare various dishes, wash dishes, and cut food. It follows that it is also better to make an apron from a durable and reliable material, which will also be easy to maintain.
Just don’t need to immediately rush to the store for expensive porcelain tiles - it’s better to decorate the floor with them, because there are more affordable materials, such as tempered glass or durable washable paint.
Appliances
Another expense item that suggests that it’s not worth saving on some devices. For example, you can easily buy an inexpensive toaster, electric kettle, microwave, juicer, but you don’t need to save on large equipment. This applies to a meat grinder, oven and induction oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee machine.
In these cases, it is better to overpay, but get high-quality equipment that is covered by a warranty (and sometimes a lifetime warranty). But you can save money on small items - in fact, you will get a very good gadget for a low cost.
Wiring and sockets
When designing a kitchen, it is very important to understand the quality of your wiring, since you definitely don’t need to skimp on your own safety. And since you can’t evaluate the wiring without seeing it, it’s better to invite an electrician to do the analysis. If there is any doubt, replace the wiring with all its components so that you can be confident in electricity in the future.
Also, do not forget that in addition to the main large appliances (oven, refrigerator, hob, hood), you will soon need small ones in your kitchen. It’s worth foreseeing this in advance and making extra sockets so that you don’t have to throw extension cords across the entire room.
Mixer
There is no need to skimp on faucets either. And this is quite logical - the quality and appearance of the plumbing, in fact, determines the quality of the repair as a whole.
There is absolutely no point in chasing premium faucets, but it is still worth paying attention to a reliable manufacturer who treats their products responsibly and is ready to provide a guarantee for the product.
Lighting
Proper lighting is an important nuance. And this applies not only to the living room and bedroom, but also to the kitchen. Light creates coziness, provides convenience and comfort. For this reason, the main thing is to think about the lighting above the work area. It can be placed under the top row of cabinets or you can install beautiful lamps and sconces.