Kitchen renovation

[LBAK]

Our kitchen has the original 1947 pine cabinets and floor. It is pretty tiny and in desparate need of updating. Does anyone have any tips when redoing this space? What to look for, what to avoid, how to survive? I have never had a kitchen redone as this is my childhood home and I've been in it for 41 years. So any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Jennasis]

Our kitchen has the original 1947 pine cabinets and floor. It is pretty tiny and in desparate need of updating. Does anyone have any tips when redoing this space? What to look for, what to avoid, how to survive? I have never had a kitchen redone as this is my childhood home and I've been in it for 41 years. So any help would be greatly appreciated!

Have pros do as muchas you can afford to have them do. Dont skimp on materials. However much time you think it's going to take...add a month.

A large reno like that takes the patience of a saint. Be strong!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We did a minor update on our kitchen in 2004.

We moved a stove and added cabinetry.

Moving the stove required updated wiring for the stove--and outfitting the new wall with cabinetry and countertops required outfitting with outlets per current codes. (so many outlets per so many feet...can't recall).

So my tip is to be cognizant that you may have to do some electrical upgrades--especially if the kitchen is all original.

 

[mtdevine615]

Use the double method. Whatever you figure it will cost or how long it will take double it. What we did is we moved the freezer and fridge into the living room and cooked on a hot plate and microwave. We completly gutted the kitchen. It took longer then we thought mainly because we did most of the work ourselves. Always add in money for incidentals and accidentals as DW likes to call them like when I dropped a brand new light on the floor or when I again dropped a can of paint. I should let her do all the work.

 

[Jennasis]

The demo part of the renovation is always hairy because (especially in an OLD house) you never know what you will find when you start tearing stuff apart. Faulty wiring or plumbing, not up to code, mold, mildew, rotted floor boards, water damage...not to mention the likelihood that your older house has likely settled to the point that the walls and floor are likely no longer "square".

We have an OLD house...as in built in 19-diggity-two old. The two small reno's we did this year (a hallway floor and the bathroom) were ROUGH because of the lack of "square" on the old settled house and the damage we found during demo.

 

[clarabelle]

Think about what you are going to use the space for.
For example -if you want to put your coffee pot in a certain place -make sure there is a cabinet for mugs and a place to store the coffee in that area.

If you have a counter top that you think you will use for your mixer or toaster -have plenty of electrical outlets at that counter.

Also -if you keep a phone or other electronics in your kitchen -plan for those as well

We remodeled a couple of years ago. It was stressful -but not miserable.

There is a discussion board called Garden Web that has a kitchen remodel section.

Good luck!

 

[clarabelle]

Here is the forum:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/