5 Things to consider when renovating your Peterborough or Kawartha Lakes kitchen

If you are thinking of renovating your kitchen in Peterborough or Kawartha Lakes, you are not alone. Kitchen renovations are one of the most popular home renovation projects in Ontario. They can also be one of the most expensive.

While kitchen renovations come in all shapes and sizes, they all tend to have one thing in common - lots of variables. There are lots of options that need to be considered before you begin your renovation.

In this post we’ll look at a few of the major things you need to consider before you begin your kitchen renovation. Let’s get started.

1. Form and Function

One thing you’ll need to consider throughout the entirety of your kitchen renovation project is form and function - the way it looks and the way it works.

Having the most beautiful kitchen won’t matter, if you can’t use the space the way you want to. Likewise, having the most functional kitchen won’t matter, if it doesn’t provide an environment you enjoy being in. You need to find a balance between form and function that reflects your unique lifestyle.

Your satisfaction and enjoyment of your newly renovated kitchen will ultimately come down to how well the form and function of your kitchen reflects you.

Consider form and function with every big decision you make. For example, when selecting appliances, don’t purchase appliances because they have the latest features and technology. Consider how those features and technologies will serve you and your space. If the features and technology make sense to you, then by all means get them. But, if they don’t add value to you or your space from either an aesthetic or functional perspective, keep looking.

It’s not realistic to consider form and function with every little detail of your kitchen. If you did, your kitchen renovation would take far too long to complete. However, you should keep form and function in mind with the larger decision that need to be made. 

2. Location and layout

Where your kitchen is located and how it is laid out will be one of the biggest decision you need to make. It’s also one of the most important considerations with regards to form and function.

Location and layout decisions will largely depend on the budget you’ve allocated for your kitchen renovation. If you have a small budget, you may be limited to replacing your cabinets and appliances. However, if you have a large budget you may want to knock down walls or completely move your kitchen to another area of your home.

When you consider the location of your kitchen, give some thought to how it is situated in relation to surrounding rooms and the rest of your home.  Do you want an open concept kitchen that opens into a great room for casual entertaining? Perhaps you’d like a pantry and/or servery that connects your kitchen and dining room for more formal entertaining.

You’ll also want to consider the layout of your kitchen. Which may or may not be influenced by its location. While there are common kitchen layouts that account for convenience and practicality, you’ll want to ensure the layout of your kitchen reflects your unique wants and needs.

The location and layout of your kitchen will greatly impact your satisfaction with the outcome of your project. So, take your time to get this right during the design phase.

3. Appliances

You’ll need to select your appliances early on, as they will need to be accounted for in the design of your kitchen.

A few thing you’ll need to give consideration to are the style, size, and power source. If you want to replace your electric stove with a gas one, you’ll need to account for a gas line in your plans. If you want an automated ice maker or built-in water dispenser you’ll need to run plumbing lines. These are things you need to know early on in the process.

Thanks to technology, kitchen appliances are constantly evolving. If you’re not familiar with the latest features and options, take a trip to your local appliance store. You want to not only see your options, but you should get your hands on them. See how they look and feel. Can you picture them in your kitchen? How will they serve the space? How will they serve you?

The cost of appliances can be a considerable portion of a kitchen renovation budget, so be sure to evaluate all your options.

4. Cabinets and Counters

The cabinets and counters you select will make a big statement. They represent much of the aesthetics of a kitchen.

Kitchen cabinets are not all created equal. You’ll want to consider materials, construction, and finishes. If you are not familiar with the various kitchen cabinet options available, be sure to consult with someone who is knowledgable in this area. They can help ensure you are aware of the various options suitable for your project and can provide advice and guidance during the selection process.

Countertops are no different, there are lots of options. From butcher block, and natural stone such as marble, to man made materials such as Corian. You’ll want to select counters that not only reflect the overall design of the space, but can also stand up to the wear and tear of every day use.

Apart from any structural renovations you may want to do, your cabinets and counters will account for a large portion of your budget. Take your time to learn about the various options and how they can serve you and the space.

5. Lighting

When designing your new kitchen, lighting is one area you’ll want to give careful consideration to. Your kitchen lighting will serve two purposes - it will help ensure a safe work environment, and it will greatly influence the ambiance and mood of the space.

There are three types of lighting you should consider - natural light, ceiling lights, and cabinet lights.

The location and layout of your kitchen will largely determine your options for natural light. Consider how you can use natural light to enhance your kitchen. A couple options include adding large windows instead of upper cabinets, and adding a pass-through window to an outdoor living space.

When it comes to ceiling lights, consider mixing and matching various types of lighting. You may want to strategically place pot lights above counters to provide adequate workspace lighting, and pendent lights above a kitchen island. There’s lots of options.

Cabinet lighting is a great way to enhance the ambiance of your kitchen. While you might be familiar with under-cabinet lighting, you might also want to consider, above-cabinet lighting, interior cabinet lighting, and toe-kick lighting.

Give careful consideration to your lighting options as they will play a significant role in the final outcome of your project.

Take the next step towards renovating your kitchen.

While the five topics we’ve covered can put you on the path to kitchen renovation success, there is much more to consider.

If you want help renovating your kitchen schedule a free kitchen renovation consultation. At Spotlight Home and Lifestyle we’ve been helping Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes home owners renovate their kitchens since 2008. From design to construction, we can help bring your dream kitchen to life. Contact us today.