Kitchen Refresh: No Permit Required
There’s nothing like that moment when inspiration strikes. After hours of pouring over mood boards, reading magazines, and browsing the Renovation Blueprint blog, your vision finally starts to form. But what happens next isn’t always so—dreamy.
Let’s say you’re in the mood for a change in your kitchen. However, you don’t have the budget or time to dive into a full-scale renovation. Before you close the door on your brilliant ideas, consider a refresh that doesn’t require a permit!
From paint colors that pop to kitchen hardware, and beyond, there are so many ways to transform your space without the paperwork. Let’s get this kitchen refresh party started (no permit required)!
Defining boundaries
A no-permit kitchen refresh generally means that we are NOT moving plumbing and electrical, or impacting the structure. While that might sound limiting, there is still so much you can do to transform your kitchen into a space that you cherish.
The following changes REQUIRE a permit:
Structural changes
Knocking down walls
If your vision includes creating an open-concept kitchen by removing walls, especially load-bearing ones, permits are a must.
Adding rooms or extensions
Planning to expand your kitchen’s footprint into the backyard? That’s a significant adjustment requiring official approval.
Major plumbing overhauls
Relocating sinks or dishwashers
Moving water lines isn’t as simple as rearranging your kitchen utensils. This type of plumbing modification requires a permit.
Electrical modifications
Adding or moving outlets
Any major rewiring or adding new electrical circuits to accommodate that fancy new espresso machine will require a permit.
Upgrading the electrical panel
If your current electrical panel can’t handle your kitchen’s new electrical appetite, upgrade it to ensure that your kitchen has enough power outlets for a food processor, mixer, and blender all at once—but you'll need permission first.
Gas lines
Installing new gas lines
Whether you’re dreaming of a new gas stove or a double oven, altering or installing gas lines is a task that definitely requires a permit. It’s not just about turning up the heat—it’s about safety first.
Ventilation systems
Upgrading or installing new ventilation
Changing your kitchen’s breathing system, especially if it involves exterior walls or roof penetration, will require a permit. Think of it as adjusting the kitchen’s lungs—you want to ensure it’s done right.
Window and door modifications
Enlarging or adding new openings
Cutting new windows or doors into walls affects the structural integrity, similar to carving a new section into a cake. Permits ensure the structural recipe remains balanced.
Securing a permit when it is required is a crucial step to ensure safety and compliance with local building codes. It’s the difference between a well-executed meal and a potential kitchen disaster. Always check with your local building department to understand the specific requirements for your area, as these can vary widely.
Now you know what requires paperwork to bring your dream kitchen to life.
We are ready to jump into all the possibilities that DON’T require a permit!
Brush up on color theory
Photography by Mary Hatch
A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets can make a big impact. If you are painting your cabinets, you will want to check these boxes before grabbing the brush and a fabulous color.
Check the condition
Are your cabinets in good shape with decent hinges and hardware? If you have any loose hinges or sections of your cabinets that can use some repair work, take care of that before you paint.
Reface the doors and drawers
This is a great opportunity to reface your kitchen doors and drawers if you want an updated look. There are many online companies that offer this service. Do your research and make sure you are working with a reputable company.
If your kitchen cabinets are currently a wood species with a lot of movement, such as oak, you will see the grain when you paint. If you want your cabinets to look consistent, choose the same wood species for your new doors and drawers so the boxes and new faces have the same grain.
Pro tip: Choose a pre-finished option that is ready to paint. That can save you a lot of prep work!
Prep, prep…and prep some more!
Don’t skip this very important pre-paint step! Clean, fill holes, sand, clean again, and then paint!
Pro tip: A professional spray paint job with a really good primer and high-quality paint will set you up for a longer-lasting finish.
Now that you have the steps in order, it is time to choose your color. Start by looking around your home and evaluating the color palette already in place—it’s important to have no plans to change it anytime soon.
Next, put some concept images together on the Pinterest or Houzz apps. Ask yourself: Do your kitchen color dreams work with the rest of your home’s palette? If you find yourself dazed and confused by all the choices, consider reaching out to an interior designer who offers a color consultation package. A designer can help you define your direction and set you on a path to a beautiful and well-coordinated kitchen!
Finish materials
Like paint, swapping out your kitchen's finish materials will have a big impact on your kitchen’s look. New counters and backsplash solutions have transformative powers to take a kitchen from blah to beautiful!
Here’s a round-up of resources to help guide your search for the perfect finishing materials for you.
Should I Use Wallpaper in My Renovation Project?
Ask an Expert: Surface Materials Edition
Hardware: The jewelry of the kitchen
Updating your cabinet pulls and knobs can be a game-changer! My go-to cabinet hardware brands are Top Knobs and Rejuvenation. They are well-made and have a nice pull. But don’t stop there! There are so many incredible options for you to explore. If you have a vintage vibe in mind, check Etsy or House of Antique Hardware. If you are leaning boho or eclectic, visit Anthropologie or Etsy to find some gorgeous options you’ll love.
When you are looking for hardware, you will want to consider style and finish. It is ok to mix and match finishes as long as they go together and work with the overall style you are hoping to achieve. You need to consider all of the metals in the kitchen, from light fixtures to appliances to lighting.
For more inspiration, check out our Expert Guide to Cabinet Hardware Selection.
Organization and storage solutions
When it comes to refreshing your kitchen, don’t forget about the all-important storage opportunities! There are plenty of after-market cabinet internal storage options that you can add during a refresh. From trash and spice rollouts to spice organization, this is the time to level up your storage game.
Pro tip: You can find great options at Home Depot. You will need to know the measurements and if you have framed or frameless cabinets. Consult a Home Depot near you if you are struggling to figure out if a unit will fit into your cabinet.
Appliance changes
Swapping out your appliances can give your kitchen that brand-spanking new look. In most refresh cases, you will need to stick with the same-sized appliances for an easy switcheroo.
These are a few of my favorite tricks:
The kitchen range
If you currently have a freestanding style range and would prefer a slide-in range you need to evaluate your backsplash before you buy the new model. Is the current backsplash continuous behind the freestanding style range? If not, you will need to come up with a new splash solution. You can either: redo the backsplash in the entire kitchen, including behind the new slide-in range, OR try to match the current backsplash (this can be challenging). Another option is to install a contrast backsplash just behind the range.
Pro tip: Remember to measure before you go to the appliance store. Take photos of your current range situation and ask the appliance expert to provide advice on the best way to proceed.
The refrigerator
When it comes to swapping out an old refrigerator for a new one, you might be faced with some size challenges. While the widths of refrigerators have stayed consistent, the heights have not. Refrigerators have grown taller over the years, which is great but not ideal if you currently have a cabinet over your old fridge that is set for a unit under 72".
When I am helping my clients with kitchen refreshes, we often find ourselves planning for a refrigerator cabinet modification. This means that the cabinet over the refrigerator is removed and modified and, in some cases, newly fabricated to accommodate the height of the new refrigerator. Now, you can most likely still find a short fridge that works in your current space but you will be limited on options.
Pro tip: Don't forget to measure and carefully review the specifications of the fridge you choose. It needs to fit and have the recommended clearance on all sides.
Panel-ready appliances
I am a huge fan of panel-ready appliances, which provide a seamless look in your kitchen. If you opt for panel-ready appliances, it does mean that you will have to coordinate with a cabinet maker to create those panels. Remember that the wood species should match or be a very close match to the current cabinets so the new paint job looks consistent between the panels and the rest of the kitchen.
Pro tip: If you are opting for a panel-ready appliance, you will need to find appliance pulls that coordinate with your existing or new cabinet pulls and knobs.
Let there be light
Light fixtures can make or break a room. Without good light, your space can feel dull and drab. A permit-free decorative light refresh does require the removal and replacement of your fixtures rather than punching new holes. However, the rules around lighting refreshes can vary from state to state. Check your local codes before you complete any electrical work.
Pro tip: If your counters are feeling a little dark, you can add battery-powered light strips under your cabinet—no permit required. This option has great reviews!
You’re ready for a refresh!
Now that you know what you CAN and CAN’T do without a permit, you’re ready to embark on your kitchen refresh journey. Planning a kitchen refresh with no permit required is absolutely doable—you just need to make time for a little extra planning to ensure that you’re doing everything above board, and, most importantly, safely!
I hope that you’re feeling more confident than ever to embark on your kitchen renovation journey. With some careful planning and mindful decision-making, you can successfully pull off a kitchen renovation how to and save money in the process.
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