Interior Design Tips for Your Kitchen Renovation

The planning and creation of your new kitchen is an exciting time but if you don’t plan and prepare for it properly, it can quickly turn into a nightmare. As excited as you may be for the renovation, it can also be a chaotic and stressful experience. Keeping the following tips in mind when undertaking a kitchen remodel can help keep the chaos at bay and the sleepless nights away.

via

Create a Mood Board

Deciding on a style you love and making it come to life in your new kitchen is most certainly an exciting part of remodeling. Out with the old and in with the new is as good as taking a vacation! Before the project begins, create a mood board of what you want your kitchen to look like, the colors and materials you want included and finishing touches you want added. You can create a physical mood board on a piece of project board, a pin board or do it digitally and craft one online. 

Source Quotes for Your Budget

The best design tip for remodeling your kitchen would be to create a functional budget and stick to it. You don’t want to start the project and run out of funds to complete it, which happens quite a lot. It is imperative to create a budget, keep it up to date and to stick to it. It is unfortunately part of your project management duties. Source at least three quotes per item or task to see more or less what you can expect to pay and construct a budget this way. Once you have sourced enough quotes, you will be ready to find a contractor to turn your kitchen into one of your dreams. Keeping within your budget will benefit your pocket and your blood pressure!

Focus on the Details

When planning a kitchen remodel or renovation, one often forgets about the details such as lighting applications, flooring, and window treatments because you are so focused on the counters, cabinets and appliances. Ideally, these aspects should be included in your mood board to incorporate the total look and feel you are striving for. 

Get Rid of the Clutter

Another great tip for your kitchen renovation is to take this opportunity to get rid of the unwanted, unused and broken items you have accumulated in your kitchen for years. Now is the time to tackle that drawer that you throw things into when you have nowhere else to home them. Make three piles of items to trash, donate and keep. Making space for your new items, and decluttering your kitchen in general, adds to the aesthetic and keeps your new remodeled space clean and tidy.

Once your kitchen revamp is underway, remember to not rush the process as rushed projects can turn into costly mistakes and do-overs. Keeping these handy tips in mind when you are ready to start on your kitchen project will help you achieve the kitchen of your dreams. 

The Home Maintenance Checklist Every New Homeowner Should Have on Hand

Your home represents a significant financial investment, and to maintain your property’s value and keep your home safe and comfortable year-round, you must perform annual maintenance. The average cost of annual home maintenance was $1,105 as of 2020, but you may have higher costs if you own an older home.

Investing in routine maintenance now can save you from the cost of emergency repairs tomorrow. Use this checklist to ensure you develop a thorough maintenance routine that will keep all the essential systems and features of your home in great shape for years to come.

Essential Systems Check

via

Turn to trusted HVAC technicians and cleaning specialists, such as Direct AC, for annual air conditioner maintenance service. Your air conditioning system should be inspected every spring to ensure it runs smoothly during the hot summer months. The air filter should be changed regularly throughout the year, and the coils and ducts should be cleaned regularly to ensure your air conditioning system isn’t spreading dust and allergens throughout your home.

 for leaks and look for signs of water damage, mold, or damaged floorboards in your home. All of these issues can indicate issues with your plumbing. Plumbing problems can generate expensive repair and clean-up costs. The plumbing experts with Advanced Plumbing Technology offer a free consultation. APT will thoroughly assess your pipes, and their team can produce a comprehensive replacement plan if your pipes are corroding. Lead pipes should also be removed to prevent health issues, such as kidney damage.

Check to ensure your sump pump is draining properly in the spring and fall. This will ensure your sump pump operates effectively during spring rains and when it snows.

Have your furnace inspected each fall. Replace the air filter to ensure the furnace can heat your home effectively. Allergens or pollen can build up in the filter, and if the furnace is blowing air through a dirty filter, it will send the allergens and pollen throughout your home. An annual furnace inspection can also ensure your furnace properly operates all winter.

Yard Maintenance

via

Yard maintenance is an essential part of your annual home maintenance plan. Every spring, you should check the lawn and reseed if there are bald spots. Remove any leaves or debris from your yard and plant flowers to improve your home’s curb appeal.

A certified arborist is qualified to inspect your trees to ensure they’re healthy. A tree inspection is an effective way of determining if there are signs of disease. Trees weakened by disease can be blown down in a wind storm or lose limbs, and ones that are close to your home could fall on the house. Trim long branches that are close to your roof or siding to prevent damage to your home.

Safety Check

via GIPHY

Choose an annual date to check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector. Smoke detectors are activated when they detect smoke in the air. Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to detect carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide is produced by several household items, such as dryers, gas stoves, water heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, and generators. Ingesting carbon monoxide can be fatal, so this checkup is extremely crucial. Make sure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector are working correctly and replace the batteries once a year.

Also, whether you use your fireplace regularly or not, your chimney still needs to be inspected and maintained. The chimney allows harmful gases to leave your home. If the chimney is blocked or dirty, it can compromise the air quality inside your home. If you use the fireplace regularly, creosote will build up inside the chimney. Creosote is flammable and can cause chimney fires. An annual inspection and regular chimney cleaning will help ensure the safety of your home.

Exterior Features

via

Inspect the exterior of your home every spring. Power wash the exterior to remove grime to prevent mold from growing on your siding.

Check the gutters every spring and fall to ensure they’re clear. Gutters remove water from your roof. If the gutters are blocked, the water may penetrate your roof and damage your home’s interior.

Spring is a good time to repaint your home’s exterior and stain the deck. You should also check your deck for loose or damaged boards or loose nails to prevent people from tripping or cutting themselves.

If you own a pool, you will want to ensure the valves and filters are in good condition and have the equipment inspected before using your pool.