When you decide to remodel your kitchen, there are many decisions you have to make along the way. You’ll need to contact a remodeling contractor to make sure the job is done right. Before contacting a contractor, it’s a good idea to think of the type of design you and your family will need. You may realize you need more space, and decide to expand your kitchen into the dining room. It’s also essential to determine a budgetary limit for the remodel beforehand.

Choose a Contractor

When you choose a kitchen remodeling contractor, share your ideas with them. After they inspect your existing kitchen, they’ll be able to estimate the amount of work it will take to be able to accomplish your wishes. This estimate will enable them to provide you with a kitchen remodel invoice, so you will know what the project should cost.

Choose a Design

Regarding kitchens, ranch-style homes often have very spacious rooms. Instead of expansion, your family may prefer to replace your countertop with a table and use part of the kitchen’s space for another purpose. If you’re updating 90s kitchen features, most kitchen designers prefer adding natural elements and, for example, using opened wooden shelves and choosing a quartz or granite counter near the sink.

When your kitchen is outdated or simply isn’t working well for you, you may want a home remodel that focuses on this room. If you want to get a great design for your kitchen, you can get a DIY kitchen design free from a number of different websites. This can allow you to get started with a good design that will shape the remodel.

How can I get a free kitchen makeover? Generally, you can’t. A kitchen makeover is expensive, and you should have a budget ready for the cost before you start. Make sure to add in a little in case the cost goes over budget, as this is a common problem. How much kitchen cost should you budget for? It all depends on what you want done, what kind of materials you choose, and the size of your kitchen.

How hard is it to remodel your kitchen? It’s a tough project. There is a lot to factor in from plumbing changes to installing large items like countertops, etc. Most people hire a contractor to take care of their kitchen because it requires a lot of specialized skills to get it all done. However, it’s sometimes possible to do it yourself.

Whether you want to do a kitchen remodel to improve your enjoyment of your own space, inspire yourself to cook more, to increase the resale value of your home, or to actively prepare for a sell, kitchen design ideas can be hard to nail down. In fact, 76% of all homeowners end up changing the style of their kitchen during the project.

If kitchen design is part of your home renovation schedule, read on for some tips on how to pick the right design for your needs. Firmly settling on what you want in advance can help save you time and money once the project gets under way.

Be Trendy

Whatever your goals in kitchen design, you want to keep up with the times. This doesn’t mean you have to go with a kitchen design that will be obsolete or passe by the middle of next week. But it’s a good idea to be aware of trends in kitchen design, particularly if you think you’ll be selling in the next decade. Here are a few to consider:

• Grey Trumps White. White is still the leading color, but grey is creeping up slowly and steadily. What makes grey such a hit is the way it compliments different strains of wood.

• Freshen Your Sink Sinks have traditionally been white or stainless steel, with the occasional black sink thrown in there for fun. Current trends are to make the sink a pop of color in an otherwise neutral space.

• User-Friendly Cabinets This is trend that’s likely to stay with us. People are finding that hydraulic folding doors on the cabinets and drawers are not only easier to use, but less likely to break. They’re also great for small kitchens as they save space.

• Color Pops Everywhere The sink isn’t the only place where a pop of color is appreciated. The window curtains or a light fixture can also be a great place to provide color interest in your kitchen while keeping the main space in neutral tones.

Don’t Get Burned

You’ve probably heard a kitchen remodel horror story or two in your time, so to avoid becoming one of those statistics, follow these three steps:

• Check Your Contractors. The internet is your friend here, as it’s becoming increasingly easy to check out comments and consumer complaints about any service provider. Just be aware that contractor sometimes change subcontractors, and that’s where trouble can start. Ask for recent references and follow up on them. Also be willing to wait: the best contractors are busy for a reason.

• Get Your Priorities Straight Before you meet to talk about kitchen designs with your contractor, be sure you’ve made a list of what you want. Accept that you might not have space or money for all of them and prioritize every one. Also, bear in mind that what you’re picturing in your head might not be expressed clearly when you speak, so bring pictures of what you’re thinking.

• Avoid Mistakes There are a few common mistakes to avoid. First, don’t try to be your own contractor. Kitchen renovations are expensive and complicated, so get a professional. Second, never get bids for the job till you’ve completely nailed down your kitchen design requirements. Third, never pay more than 30% of the job in advance. The rest should be paid in progressive payments with a healthy chunk held back until the job is completely finished. Finally, don’t do things just to beat the neighbors. Do what’s right for you and what fits your needs. Don’t worry about what the Joneses are up to.

Your kitchen is the center of your home. It’s the place the family is most likely to gather and the place where your efforts to improve your health and lifestyle begin. Make sure your kitchen is everything you want it to be, and that any remodel is contributing real value to your home.