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Kitchen Renovation 101

Planning a kitchen renovation can be among the most daunting of home makeovers. It’s not only among the most expensive projects due to materials, plumbing and labor, but it also presents us with limitless options for every kitchen component: layout, cabinetry, countertops, appliances, plumbing, tile and flooring, and storage options.

That’s why it’s good to have confident guidance – whether it’s from a designer, architect, or from one of our own kitchen-design experts. But before you reach out, it helps to do some research on the front end, which will save you a lot of time and money later on. Our online kitchen planning guide can lead you through that process.

  • Top of mind should be formulating your budget and timeline. Keep in mind that the shorter the timeline, the more expensive the project because you’re most likely going to be paying a premium for the quick shipping of products and receiving priority status on your contractor’s work schedule.
  • Next, take several pictures of your existing kitchen from multiple angles. Not only will this help your designer, but seeing your space in photographs can sometimes reveal issues or flaws that you aren’t necessarily aware of when you’re actually in there, and you’re more focused on making the next meal than how the room is planned.
  • Our planning guide has a gridded sheet for you to sketch your kitchen layout and measure its dimensions. Having that information on hand will be crucial for devising a new kitchen design.
  • What type of kitchen do you envision? One that’s U-shaped, with basically three sides to a square; L-shaped; a back wall with an island or a peninsula; a linear galley kitchen, or does everything need to fit across a single wall? Knowing this general layout will give you the proper search terms when you’re looking online for ideas.
  • Get inspired. Check out our inspiration gallery and our project portfolio, and create your own galleries on Pinterest, Houzz or Instagram with your favorite kitchens. When you’re, done, flip through the images to see what they might have in common. It could be cabinet style or color, tile pattern, or even a certain type of appliance. Maybe they have seating areas within the kitchen space, maybe there aren’t any upper cabinets, or perhaps there’s a counter material that stands out.
  • Perhaps most important in this initial planning process is being clear-eyed as to how you’ll use your new kitchen. What needs does it need to fulfill?
      • Are you cooking restaurant-caliber meals, or warming up hors d’oeuvres to serve with cocktails?
      • Is baking your thing, or do you sear and fry foods so much that the smoke detector goes off every night?
      • Do you have kids who need easy access to snacks or a good space for homework?
      • Do you host dinner parties that always end up in the kitchen, or is the space more intimate?

The answers to these questions will not only figure into the design, but it will also inform how you allocate your budget.

And finally, what kind of things do you want in your new culinary space, just because they’re cool? Now’s the time to contemplate where you might want to splurge – whether it’s on handmade tile, a glowing backsplash that hides additional storage, or glass display cabinets for your crystal and china.

At Porcelanosa, everything from storage units to cabinetry and countertops can be customized to fit your exact space, with an array of materials and finishes to suit almost any style. If you take the time to fill out your dossier with all the above factors in mind, your design team will know precisely how to deliver the kitchen of your dreams—on time and on budget. Contact one of our talented design consultants to start talking about your kitchen ideas.

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