Easy Kitchen Remodeling

In the past, kitchens were merely rooms to cook meals. Today's kitchens, on the other hand, double as home offices, playrooms, homework centers and entertainment lounges. Your kitchen really is the heart of your home, so it's not surprise that the kitchen is the focus of your home renovation plans.

If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, the first thing that you must do is set up a secondary cooking area. Find a spot in your home that gives you easy access to running water, like the laundry room. Try to choose an area that will accommodate your fridge and stove. If that's out of the question, you'll need to keep plenty of coolers and ice on hand, as well as a hot plate, toaster oven, microwave and an electric kettle. If you're renovating in nice weather, be prepared to make full use of your barbecue.

Once you're ready to begin renovating your kitchen, be aware of these common mistakes, and try to avoid them:

1. Wall Damage: Be careful not to destroy the kitchen walls when you're removing old cabinets. See if you can replace the cabinetry without taking down the existing braces.

2. Damaged Countertop, Cabinets and Floors: Anything that you plan on reusing must be protected. Use drop cloths to protect all surfaces, including cabinets and countertops. The tools and materials used in a kitchen renovation can wreak havoc on floors, and laying a protective layer of plywood over your kitchen floor is worth the effort.

3. Utilities: Make sure that all utilities are shut off before you begin working. Simply flipping a circuit breaker, pulling a fuse or closing a water valve may not be enough to provide full protection. Safety always comes first. If possible, completely shut off the hydro, water and gas supply before you start working.

4. Protect Against Debris. Even though you're renovating in the kitchen, you can be sure that dust from sanding and tiling will find its way through the entire house. Use plastic sheeting to cover doorways to adjoining rooms, and seal air vents to contain the mess. Ventilation is important, however, so be sure to leave the kitchen windows and outside door open.

5. Know your Time Limit. Don't underestimate the time it will take to complete the project. For example, starting to remodel your kitchen two weeks before Christmas is probably not a great idea. The last thing you want to do is to botch the job by racing to meet a deadline.

Take the time to be sure that you, and your kitchen, are prepared for the task:

* Pack up everything that will not be used in your temporary kitchen area. Label the boxes clearly and store them away.

* Remove everything that isn't nailed down. Drawers, spice racks, appliances, lazy susans, wall clocks and ornaments should all be removed and packed away or put aside. Everything remaining in place should be protected against dirt and damage.

* Arrange to have the refuse removed. There will be a lot of debris, particularly if you're replacing flooring, walls, cabinets or countertops. If you don't have a truck, rent a dumpster. Have it as close to the kitchen as possible, so you can throw the debris right in. Pay attention to any materials that can be reused. Those old cabinets may be handy in the laundry room or garage. Call a charity organization and donate your unneeded materials. Try Habitat for Humanity.

* Shut off the water and gas before you attempt to remove any major appliances. Most appliances have individual plumbing and water valves, but you should take the time to close the supply at the source. Gas shutoff valves are usually located near the meter. Remember to relight all of your pilot lights when you hook the gas up again, or you'll be taking a cold shower at the end of the day.

* Disconnect all electrical circuits leading to the renovation area. Many older homes have wiring systems that have been modified, and it's not always clear which circuits or fuses control a particular area. You can't afford to guess, so call a qualified electrician if you're not sure. Otherwise, you can turn off the main power to the house while you're working. You can also tape over the breakers to safeguard against switching them back on inadvertently.

* If you plan on upgrading your electrical system and adding new outlets and fixtures, you will have to dismantle all of the existing outlets and fixtures. First, remove all of the light bulbs. Dismantle each fixture by unscrewing the cover plate and pulling the receptacle out of the box, carefully detaching the wires.

Cap any exposed wires should be capped until you're ready to install the new fixtures. Bare copper wires are grounds that do not need to be capped. There is zero room for error when it comes to electricity. If you don't know how to replace electrical fixtures, spend the money on the services of a certified electrician.

Your kitchen renovation will take smart planning and a lot of elbow grease, the results will be spectacular. Your family uses the kitchen for learning, playing and socializing, as well as for cooking and eating, so the time and effort today will pay off with years of enjoyment.

Article Source: Main Articles

Freelancer Larissa Levise writes for a variety of popular web magazines, on home equity and family tie topics.

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