Turn on any kitchen remodeling show and you’ll likely see a crew of people with sledgehammers. In many ways, this makes kitchen renovation feel unattainable for the average homeowner. Perhaps you only want a simple refresh, not a complete gut job. Maybe you like the features of your kitchen but not the finishes.
You can remodel a kitchen without demolition. You simply need to know where to spend, where to save, and how to get the most from your kitchen design. Check out these tips from O’Hanlon Kitchens to refresh your kitchen without demo.
Defining “Demolition”
It’s important to clarify what demolition actually means. Some people consider any removal as demolition, but others only consider it demolition when it involves removing walls.
For example, if your kitchen remodel consisted of unscrewing your kitchen cabinets and installing new ones, you may not see that as demolition. If you were cutting a passthrough in a wall, you may or may not say that’s demolition.
For the purpose of this guide, we’ll assume that demo-free kitchen remodeling is anything that doesn’t require major changes to the kitchen. You can interpret that as you like.
Different Ways to Remodel a Kitchen
There are many approaches to kitchen remodeling, and some are more invasive than others. If you directly replace the current features with new ones, you’re not going to face much demolition. If you move the appliances around, change the floor plan, shift the cabinets, and do other rearranging, you’ll have a lot more work ahead. This is when you get into flooring changes, plumbing relocation, electrical changes, etc. The more you alter, the longer it will take and the more money it will cost.
Pros of No Demo Kitchen Reno
If you opt for demo-free kitchen remodeling, you’re going to save money and time. This is similar to changing a paint color in a room or swapping the floor rug for something new. You won’t get a truly custom feel, but you can get a functional kitchen that looks beautiful. Best of all, you don’t have to deal with weeks of construction mess in your home.
Cons of No Demo Kitchen Reno
Sometimes, there is no way to avoid kitchen demolition. There’s a project that you can’t complete without knockout out a wall or moving major components around. If you have a kitchen layout that doesn’t function well, you’ll likely need some form of demolition to resolve that.
This is the con of trying to do a no demo kitchen renovation. You don’t have the same design flexibility that you have with a full demo. You’ll spend more time completing the renovation, but you can get the ideal results in the end. It’s up to you if those results are worth the time and expenses.
Prioritize Function in Your Kitchen Renovation Plan
Whether you want to demo your kitchen or not, you need to think about function first. Does the current kitchen work well? Could it be usable with some minor tweaks? Or do you find yourself constantly frustrated by a lack of walking space, storage or visibility?
Having a functional kitchen is what matters most. Make that the primary focus of your plans and then adjust the design around that. Our kitchen design experts would be happy to guide you through the process and find the best kitchen for your overall needs.
Get a Custom Kitchen Remodeling Quote to Fit Your Timeframe and Budget
The time you have available and the money you want to spend will dictate your kitchen remodeling plans. That may leave room for demolition, or it may push you into a direct replacement route. Whatever the case may be, our kitchen designers and contractors are here to help. Contact O’Hanlon Kitchens at 443-285-0558 to get started.
