Planning a Kitchen Renovation? Here’s What You Need to Know
The kitchen is the heart of every home — a place where families gather, meals are prepared, and memories are made. If your kitchen is outdated, poorly designed, or simply not meeting your needs, a renovation can breathe new life into the space and significantly boost your home’s value. At Kalray Renovations, we’ve helped countless homeowners across the GTA turn their kitchens into functional, stylish, and welcoming spaces. Here’s everything you need to know before starting your kitchen renovation
🛠️ Step-by-Step: What Needs to Be Done in a Kitchen Renovation
1. Initial Planning and Budgeting
Start by determining your goals: Are you aiming for a full remodel or just a cosmetic refresh? It's important to set a realistic budget that includes materials, labor, permits, and a small buffer for any unexpected expenses.
Some homeowners consider cabinet resurfacing or repainting as a quick fix. While this can temporarily freshen up the space, we generally don’t recommend it. A newly painted cabinet surface can clash with older elements like outdated tiles, resulting in a mismatched look.
If you’re working with a tighter budget, a practical approach would be to install a new MDF kitchen and update the flooring with modern tiles. It may not feel high-end, but it will offer a clean, contemporary appearance.
If budget allows, go for a more premium finish — opt for painted MDF or solid hardwood cabinetry, quartz countertops that extend into the backsplash, and hardwood flooring for a seamless, upscale design.
Keep in mind: if you're planning to change the kitchen flooring to hardwood or engineered wood, make sure it complements the rest of the flooring on that level. Otherwise, you might find yourself needing to replace all of it for a consistent look.
2. Design and Layout
Think about how you use your kitchen. Consider the classic work triangle (sink, stove, refrigerator) for efficiency. Our team at Kalray Renovations can help you with custom layouts that maximize space and flow.
3. Demolition and Prep Work
Once designs are finalized, we begin by safely removing old cabinets, countertops, flooring, and appliances while preparing the space for construction.
4. Electrical and Plumbing Updates
This is the perfect time to upgrade plumbing lines and electrical wiring to meet modern codes and support new appliances or lighting.
5. Cabinetry and Storage Installation
Custom or semi-custom cabinets are installed next. Proper storage planning can make a huge difference in functionality and aesthetics.
6. Countertops and Backsplash
Choose durable and stylish materials like quartz, granite, or butcher block. Backsplashes are where you can add personality — think textures, patterns, and colors.
7. Flooring
Durability and water-resistance are key. Popular options include tile, vinyl plank, and hardwood.
8. Lighting and Fixtures
A combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting adds warmth and functionality. Pendant lights over islands, under-cabinet lights, and stylish fixtures complete the look.
9. Appliances and Finishing Touches
Install new appliances, then add the final touches like paint, trim, and hardware. Your new kitchen is now ready to enjoy!