Advice From Our Customers
What Our Customers Have Learned from Renovating
Imperial Kitchens has been involved in many thousands of kitchen renovations, and we’re constantly receiving feedback from our customers about their renovation experiences. Some customers have undertaken DIY renovation projects, while others recount experiences with different kitchen companies. Collectively, the feedback from our customers provides an insight into things to be aware of if you’re contemplating a kitchen renovation. In no particular order here’s a sample of the tips and feedback we commonly receive.
Drawers and More Drawers
A relatively new trend in kitchen design is to substitute oversized drawers for cabinets, especially for storage of large items such as saucepans and electrical appliances. The majority of our clients opt for ‘pot drawers’. Based on their comments after using their new kitchen, it’s a design choice that meets with almost universal approval. Drawers are a more efficient use of space for large items and allow easier access for stored items.
Bench Space
One of the biggest issues for kitchen renovators is ensuring your new kitchen boasts sufficient bench space. Ideally, items such as microwaves should be located in a special ‘nook’ rather than occupying valuable bench space. You may appreciate having separate bench areas for preparing and serving food. Depending on the size of the area you’re working with, you may also have an opportunity to install benches that are wider than usual. This gives you a better workspace and the option of providing under-bench seating to facilitate casual dining.
New or Old Appliances
While it may not be necessary to update your appliances if you’re happy with them, old or worn-out appliances will stick out like the proverbial sore thumb in a brand new kitchen. Assuming you can afford to update appliances, you’ll be much happier with the overall appearance of your new kitchen.
Flooring
High-gloss, slippery tiles are a ‘no no’ in a kitchen. Don’t be distracted by high-gloss images in magazines and showrooms. The floor surfaces in these areas are designed to reflect light and attract your attention. While you won’t achieve the same level of light reflection from tiles with more slip-resistance, you will enjoy a much safer environment to prepare and serve meals. If you’re thinking about timber floors in your kitchen, consider the challenges of maintaining timber in a wet area. And be aware that timber will wear more quickly in high-traffic areas such as in front of your fridge and dish washer.
Power Outlets
It’s much easier and more cost-effective to cater for all the power outlets you’ll need during the design stage rather than when the kitchen renovation is completed. It’s unlikely you can have too many power outlets, so the advice of our clients is to be generous when planning this aspect of your kitchen renovation.
Storage
If bench space is the item most commonly commented on by our clients, storage would run a close second. The emergence of walk-in and butler’s pantries reflects the desire of people to have the majority of the items required in a kitchen stored out of sight, while remaining easily accessible. When we redesign a clients’ kitchen we strive to maximise storage space, as failure to cater for your storage needs is a decision you are likely to regret.
Leave Room in Your Budget
The last thing you need when undertaking a renovation is to find that you’ve underestimated the cost of what you want. Imperial Kitchens provides a fixed price quote; however, our clients often change their minds about finishes, materials and upgrades to be used in their renovation. You may need to factor-in the cost of new appliances; and don’t forget, you may need a plumber, electrician and tiler.
Colour Schemes
Before committing to a new kitchen in your favourite colour, consider if you are undertaking your renovation as an investment in your lifestyle and the value of your home, or whether you’re indulging your personal sense of style. While the colours you choose are obviously a matter for you, the novelty of a trendy colour often fades much quicker than you’d expect. Big-ticket items such as cabinets and benchtops are costly to replace if your tastes change or you become tired of a look that you considered trendy when you designed your kitchen. The advice from our clients is that you may be better off sticking to more neutral colours, and adding your personal taste with decorations, crockery, colourful appliances, and curtains.
DIY
Skilled handymen and women sometimes undertake kitchen renovations themselves, usually using modular cabinetry sourced from retailers or online. While some succeed at such projects, we occasionally hear about people who spend months designing, sourcing and installing their kitchens.
Our clients come to us for good reason: they’re dealing with professionals who will deliver a quality product on time and within your budget. A new kitchen can be a challenging project if you’re inexperienced in such work, and the standard of the results can vary dramatically.
If we can assist you with your kitchen renovation we invite you to contact us to make an appointment to speak with one of our expert designers. There’s no obligation to buy, and the consultation is free.
Our Showroom (Booking Only)
2 Ellerslie Road, Meadowbrook
Logan City, QLD 4131
Servicing: Brisbane, Gold Coast, and everywhere between including Brisbane Northside: Ashgrove, Bardon, Chelmer, Clayfield, Fig Tree Pocket, Kedron, Kenmore, Red Hill, The Gap, Wavell Heights. Brisbane Southside: Acacia Ridge, Burleigh Waters, Camp Hill, Coorparoo, Cornubia, Daisy Hill, Palm Beach, Shailer Park, Sunnybank Hills, Tarragindi
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