Use these do-it-yourself kitchen renovation design tips to rehab the kitchen. Start with the cabinets (also referred to as the kitchen cupboards. Remove all items, discarding old and non-used cans, expired packaged foods, et cetera. Recycle or donate any outdated good, tableware or cookware. Reorganize cabinets to concur with food preparation and ease traffic flow in the kitchen. Use the time to clean out the silverware tray.

According to Alex Bandon of This Old House, a new set of cabinets can cost anywhere from $5000 and upward. However—for less than $1000, homeowners can do-it-yourself via cabinet refacing. All that’s needed are new cabinet doors, wood veneer and precise measurements. Prior to embarking on the cabinet refacing shop around for contemporary design ideas.   

Next on the kitchen renovation design checklist is the countertop. Since, food preparation requires workspace, the counter top is an aesthetic piece of real estate. Depending on what the budget calls for, counter tops  are available in a myriads of materials (stone, recycled and laminate countertops).

Laminate countertops are durable, withstanding significant wear and tear.

Clear the entire counter space. Consider which colors would enliven the room and match the other accents. Certain home design stores provide sample materials. Although dark countertops are timeless, remember to consider if you plan to introduce new kitchen light fixtures.

Did you know…? Certain web applications provide a rendering of how the kitchen renovation designed with different counter space will appear. Sweet Home 3-D Freeware allows homeowners to upload the kitchen’s existing floor plan to test colors, textures and furniture design ideas.

Design tip: Be sure to consider a new backsplash to complement new or older counter tops. The latest renovation kitchen design trend entails using ceramic and mosaic backdrops. as seen at House Plans and More.com.