Every great kitchen renovation starts with a vision, but the difference between dreams coming true and disappointment comes down to planning and communication.
When you’ve decided it’s time for a kitchen renovation, Peak Improvements specializes in helping Edmonton homeowners design the perfect one. Browsing through Pinterest or saving your ideas to make a mood board can inspire the process early on.
This guide will help you plan, prioritize, and make decisions to get exactly what you want from your kitchen renovation.
Step 1: Define Your Needs Vs. Your Wants
The kitchen is one of the most-used areas of a home. It needs to have space for cooking, storage, and hosting guests. Often, the layouts of older homes don’t match modern needs. The first step to renovations is to identify how you use your kitchen. What are your cooking habits and hosting needs, and who is using the kitchen?
When you’ve determined how your kitchen is currently being used, identify the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves”, for example:
Must-haves: More counter space, larger storage cabinets, a functional layout
Nice to have: High-end appliances, custom backsplash, intricate lighting fixtures
The design process at Peak will help you to refine and balance your needs and wants with your set budget.
Step 2: Use Visuals as Inspiration
It’s easy to find inspiration on Pinterest, in magazines, and through internet searches. It is extremely helpful for our designers and our team to match your style to your budget. When you bring us your inspiration, try to communicate your style, your ideas, finishes and lighting preferences. The design team can quickly identify which aesthetic direction to take and have an idea of potential costs. When creating a mood board, add as much detail as possible, including materials like:
- Quartz vs. Granite countertops
- Cabinet colours and finishes
- Open shelves vs upper cabinets
- Lighting layers: task, ambient and decorative
This way, the entire process will be based on your inspirations and then planned to fit your wallet. If your inspirations are only a general idea, we can work with you and find the perfect matches for your aesthetic.
Step 3: Set A Realistic Budget And Expected Timeline
Kitchen renovations in Edmonton vary widely, but here is a rough estimate:
- Cosmetic updates: $20,000 to $45,000
- Full remodel: $45,000 to $75,000
It’s important to consider factors that can increase the cost:
- Moving plumbing or electrical
- High-end materials
- Changes in structure or removing walls
The expected timeline will vary depending on the complexity of the renovation, but it will typically take 4-10 weeks. With Peak Improvements, you’ll receive your fixed-price, no-surprise contract before any construction begins!
Step 4: Planning Flow, Storage And Lighting
We describe the kitchen workflow as the “kitchen triangle.” The sink, fridge, and stove create a triangle that simplifies the flow of the space. Modern kitchen zoning considers even more needs to match how the space is used, including prep areas, cooking areas, and serving spaces.
Storage is the next important factor in planning after the flow. Think about what you need to store and how. Would you prefer hidden garbage bins or extra pantry cabinets? Is there enough space to include an appliance garage? Storage also impacts how you will use the space.
Finally, you can plan the lighting. Most kitchens have layers of lighting: task lights under the cabinets, ambient lights like pot lights on a dimmer, and decorative lighting like pendants or sconces. Our designers will walk you through each element in detail, but thinking ahead and creating a board to show what feels right, even if you can’t describe it.
Step 5: The Right Team For Kitchen Renovations In Edmonton
The last step to achieving your kitchen renovation goal is choosing the right team to execute your project. Look for a full-service design-and-build team, like Peak Improvements. We have a proven track record with kitchen renovation projects, which you can check out in our gallery. Transparency is an important quality in the renovation process. Peak Improvements is transparent in our quoting and guarantees no surprise costs.
What sets Peak Improvements apart is our proven six-stage process for a successful renovation. Each step is detailed and finished before we move on to the next. Our fixed-price contract gives you peace of mind. Our team is small and highly experienced, making communication easy and your experience personal.
Are You Ready To Get What You Want From Your Kitchen Renovation?
Our goal isn’t just a great kitchen renovation; it’s to make your experience enjoyable, clear, and rewarding. If you’ve followed these steps and you’re dreaming of a brand new kitchen in Edmonton, bring us your Pinterest board, and we’ll walk you through the rest.
Peak Improvements helps homeowners turn ideas into beautifully functional spaces with clear communication and no surprises. Start your renovation journey with a consultation, or try our project estimator tool to see what’s possible for your budget and timeline.
Let’s make sure you get exactly what you want in your kitchen renovation.