Tips for Your Kitchen Renovation

Remodeling a kitchen is a great way to add value to your home and improve the space you cook, eat and entertain in on a regular basis. Unfortunately, renovating this room can be expensive and incredibly stressful. However, by following these tips you can improve the overall experience:

Invest in the Important Things

When deciding how to distribute your budget, it's important to consider what you will use the most.

"Think about how you use the kitchen, and put your money there," Ellen Rady, Ellen Rady Designs told HGTV.

Whether you like to entertain or have a family who is always on the go, you should tailor your spending to your unique needs. If energy-efficient appliances are important to you, spend more money on these features and cut spending when it comes to things that don't matter as much to you, such as countertops or flooring. You can save a great deal of money by investing in more affordable laminate counters or a lower-grade granite material.

Your cabinetry is another feature that can wind up costing you a great deal or you can invest in more affordable options, according to HGTV. Hiring a custom designer will ensure you have more jurisdiction over the final product, but simply repainting cabinets and investing in new knobs can also give the space a facelift without costing a great deal.

Create a Makeshift Kitchen

During the remodel, you won't want to be spending a ton of money on takeout food and eating out every night. Designating a space to eat, prepare and store food is necessary. Kitchens.com suggested setting up a temporary kitchen in a space in your home and having essential appliances handy. You will want to have the following items in your makeshift kitchen:

• Microwave
• Fridge
• Counter Space
• Toaster Oven
• Storage Bins
• Hot Plates
• Slow Cooker

Because doing dishes will likely be more difficult, consider not only setting up shop in a place with a sink but also investing in disposable plates, cups and silverware to keep your stress down.

Slow cookers are an easy way to continue making warm home-cooked meals even while working in an improvised kitchen space. Throw your ingredients in the pot and let them simmer all day long. An additional bonus is that you will also be able to enjoy delicious smells while preparing dinner this way.

The Washington Post recommended preparing and freezing meals ahead of time. You will be thankful down the road when you can easily pull out a homemade meal and pop it in the microwave quickly before enjoying it.

Having a space to sit down and enjoy your meals is also important. Whether you have a designated dining room or just set up a card table and some chairs, feeling a bit of normalcy can help you cope with the stress a kitchen remodel brings.

Get Away from the Stress

Don't forget to treat yourself to some time away from the construction zone throughout the duration of the project. Whether you decide to head to the spa, enjoy a picnic with your loved ones or head out on walks in your neighborhood more often, spending time away from the madness will help you keep your cool during the renovation.

Planning a vacation ahead of time is also a great idea if you can work it into your budget. A fun trip away from home will give you something else you can look forward to aside from the completion of your kitchen renovation.

Celebrate the Completion

Once your kitchen is all finished and ready to be used, have some family and friends over for a home-cooked meal. It'll be a great way to break in the space and celebrate the end of a large-scale project.