图片来源：Canva

Ask a homeowner which room they would most like to improve, and most will point to the kitchen – the starting point for every meal and the heart of the home.

Ask those same people why they don’t move forward with a kitchen remodel, and many will say the project seems so overwhelming they don’t know where to start. 如果你的厨房需要升级，这里有一些循序渐进的建议让你开始。

收集你的想法

如果你事先花点时间对你的新厨房的外观和布局形成一个强烈的看法，那么接下来的步骤就会容易得多。

从浏览厨房杂志和照片丰富的厨房改造指南和/或网站开始。 将剪报和打印输出到笔记本上可以帮助你完善你的视野。 剪贴或打印捕捉你想象力的照片，添加注释，并在你最喜欢的东西周围画圆圈和箭头。

一旦你对你想要的东西有了更清晰的认识，如果有必要，在网上搜索更好的例子和新的解决方案。 If you live with a significant other, share your ideas with them and don’t allow yourself to become too committed before getting buy-in from them. 承包商和销售人员将期待一个统一的战线。

专注于流程

Another major factor you’ll want to consider is how your new kitchen will be used, and by whom:

• 你想和别人一起做饭吗？
• 你想让家人和客人在你做饭的时候聚在一起吗？
• 你想在厨房里上菜吗？
• 你想展示你的餐具吗？
• 你想把东西放在哪里以达到最大的效率？

想象自己在新厨房里快乐地做饭和娱乐，然后记下使这些梦想成为现实所必需的关键要素。 列出你想要的厨房功能和存储需求将有助于确保你的计划符合你的愿景。

确定预算

According to the annual 重构 Magazine survey of costs, a “midrange,” “minor” kitchen remodel will cost homeowners living on the West Coast about $23,000. Those same folks can expect to pay about $70,000 for a midrange “major” kitchen remodel. Determine what you can afford before you start work to ensure that your vision is within reach, or to help prioritize what’s most critical.

怎么处理这些橱柜

Replacing the cabinets is one of the most expensive 改进 you can make in a kitchen remodel (typically consuming 20 to 40 percent of the overall budget, according to 建筑消化).

考虑改头换面吧。 这可以包括以下其中一项：1)安装全新的柜门和抽屉前面；2)在现有的柜门和抽屉前面安装新的木材或层压板贴面；3)简单地修补现有的柜门和抽屉前面。

采购承包商

您选择的承包商将决定大部分成本、项目进度、中断程度、最终结果和您的满意度。 所以，在你的搜索中要彻底：

• 向朋友和家人寻求推荐和建议。
• 亲自面试至少三位有潜力的候选人。
• 要求查看过去工作的样本。
• 寻找与你的工作风格互补的人（类似的个性和沟通方式）。
• Once you’ve narrowed your choice to one or two, ask to speak with a few past clients.

You’ll be tempted to latch onto the first contractor who gets rave reviews from a friend or family member. But remember: You and your project are unique, and it’s worth the time and effort to be rigorous in your search.

选择设备

If you’re planning to replace appliances, here are three factors you’ll want to consider:

Finish – Stainless steel is still the most popular option, but beware: smudges, fingerprints, water spots, and streaks will be obvious. 黑色不锈钢有温暖的感觉，在隐藏点更好。

Extended warranty – According to 《消费者报告》, extended warranties are hardly ever worth it because today’s appliances are so reliable. And if something does fail, it’s often less expensive to just pay for the repair.

Unbiased testing and reviews – Before making an appliance purchase, use the information resources available through 《消费者报告》.

最后一点说明

Moving walls and extending your home’s foundation are both very expensive options. If your kitchen plans call for these architectural renovations, perhaps you’ve outgrown your home and need something larger (with an already-improved kitchen).