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How to get through a kitchen remodel without losing your mind

Kitchens are considered as the heart of the home, and many real estate experts look at them as “game changers” when it comes to selling property. That’s why kitchen remodels are widely accepted as the renovation that adds the most value to a home’s selling price.

That said, a kitchen remodel can be a stressful time with all the decisions you have to make as well as the disruption it brings to your daily life. Before you embark on the project, however, keep the following tips in mind to make sure your kitchen renovation moves along as smoothly as possible.

Get inspired

Dreaming up the perfect kitchen can put you in a more relaxed and centered headspace from the get-go. Sift through magazines, websites, and other sources for design choices that grab your attention. Check out appliances, countertops, paint finishes, cabinet styles, etc. to start building an image of your dream kitchen in your mind.

Work with a feasible budget

Decide on how much your kitchen renovation should cost, and stick to it as best you can. When you’re working with a fixed budget, it can motivate you to be creative and resourceful with what you spend your money on. Allow for some leeway in your expenditures for unexpected surprises.

Strike the right balance between functionality over aesthetics

Never sacrifice functionality for good looks. An oversized counter may look good, but by taking up too much space, it can really limit your efficiency in the kitchen. Such an inefficient layout can greatly affect the amount of time it takes to get kitchen tasks done. Find the right harmony between functionality and aesthetics to get the most out of both.

Hire the right contractor

Finding a contractor who’s reputable, reliable, and easy to work with is easier said than done. That said, friends and family make a good starting point. Ask them for recommendations, then look up their suggestions on the internet. Pay attention to what people have to say about the contractor’s quality of work. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to three, ask for a quote from each. Get itemized pricing from each contractor so you can make side-by-side comparisons. Meet with the contractors on your shortlist to get a feel for how it would be like to work with them.

Create an alternative kitchen

Depending on the scope of the work, you may be unable to use your kitchen for some time, which means you need to have a designated kitchen stand-in where you can prepare your food. This can be your garage, patio, basement—whatever spare room or space you have in your house that you seldom use can serve as your kitchen while renovations are underway.

Keep meals simple in the meantime

If you’re used to whipping up fanciful eats every time the craving hits you, understand that the remodel can make it challenging to create the elaborate meals that you’re used to. Depending on your alternative kitchen setup, you may only have space for the essentials, so plan your meals accordingly.

Can’t decide on which renovations to undertake? Our dynamic duo at David & Sunny Real Estate Services can help you focus on the remodels that really pay off. Contact us today at 650.489.6251 or davidandsunny(at)compass(dotted)com to discuss your home selling plans in Silicon Valley.

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