Every home renovation project makes its share of headaches, but kitchen overhauls can be incredibly frustrating—as well as pricey. Because it's not just the look and feel of the space you're considering, there is also a whole range of appliances to select, plumbing concerns to consider, and storage issues to work through. Not to mention, you and your family still need to eat three meals a day, and takeout gets old in a hurry.

But don't let the calculated logistics of a kitchen redo influence you to stick with an old-fashioned space or one that doesn't work for you. We've rounded up clever tips that'll ensure that the path to your dream kitchen is pain-free.

1. Plan Ahead
"In a whole world, you would visit outside [through the renovation].”But you know it seldom acts that means." If you're visiting for the project's duration, thoroughly scan the logistics. Because of the time occupied in a home extension, a makeshift kitchen in the dining room or laundry room is likely inevitable, so investigate and possess some enjoyment with it. To save yourself a whole lot of additional difficulty on the project's backend, go ahead and figure on the kitchen renovation catching at least ten-to-twenty per cent longer than the contractor's quick estimate.

2. Study Your Current Kitchen
"The first thing I ask clients to do is to look at their existing kitchen". "Study it. Tell me what you love about it. Tell me what you wish you could change." Also, unless you're adding on to your home's existing footprint, remember you're working with specific square footage, so it's essential to "understand you're why. If a large island is at the top of your wish list, but the space won't allow it, don't force it. I encourage people to dig a little deeper when they want something specific. "Ask them why, and you'll find the reason often has other solutions that might work better in your space."

3. If It's Not Broken, Don't Fix It.
If the windows you already have worked well with the new kitchen plan, keep the windows. "That's hundreds of dollars in savings, right there." The same advice applies to maintaining other fixed elements such as current plumbing locations, which will create room in your budget for the inevitable surprise and save you precious time, meaning a few fewer nights eating.

4. Consult the Experts
"I don't file my taxes because I'm not an accountant," who suggests working with a designer and architect in addition to a house renovation contractor if your budget allows. "You're making big, costly decisions, and honestly, it can become overwhelming fast without help." If you're working on a shoestring, though, check locally for designers who offer consultation services by the hour. Most importantly, if you're going to pull in experts: Have your whole team put together from the beginning. "You'll end up with much better results."

5. Make Function a Priority
"You can make anything pretty." whether you're channeling your inner every night and scouring farmers' markets on the weekends, or you're pretty much living out of the Costco frozen foods section (we get it), your kitchen remodeling needs to work for you—and your lifestyle. Function comes first. To land on a layout that meets your needs and offers plenty of storage, take a detailed inventory of what you have (pots, pans, stand mixers, spices, oils, etc.), and examine how you use those items. When choosing finishes and other materials such as countertops, acknowledge your tolerance for maintenance.