Although a considerable expense, renovating a kitchen is also a significant investment that not only lasts for years but may also increase the value of your house. Therefore, there are a few things to keep in mind before you set off on your renovation journey – and also a few common kitchen remodel mistakes you’ll want to avoid to help make the most of your time, effort, and money.
Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some of the most common kitchen remodel mistakes that many homeowners make, which turn out to be quite detrimental in the long run.
1. Not Planning Enough
The truth is that when it comes to kitchen remodeling, you can never plan enough or be prepared enough. However, that doesn’t mean you falter on the planning aspect altogether. Planning your entire kitchen remodeling process while accounting for the road bumps is an excellent way to ensure that your project goes smoothly so that you get the desired outcome.
You can start planning by considering your family’s needs and your lifestyle, as this is the only way to ensure that everyone gets the most out of the space. The design, storage, and counter space of your kitchen, amongst other aspects, depend on the overall usage of your kitchen. For instance, if you’re having problems with the lack of storage, you must carefully plan how to expand and maximize your storage before you begin the remodel.
2. Not Hiring a Kitchen Remodeling Professional
Sure, attempting to tackle your kitchen remodeling project on your own may seem like the budget-friendlier solution, but it can be a daunting DIY task, and one of the most expensive kitchen remodel mistakes you’ll make. This is especially applicable if you haven’t taken on any DIY projects before.
You risk damaging your home by making poor decisions and common kitchen mistakes by trying to remodel your kitchen by yourself instead of hiring a seasoned professional. It is especially risky to work with the plumbing and electrical systems without consulting a professional. Moreover, many remodeling projects require permits, which can be a hassle to file, and filing the wrong permit can cause problems in the long run.
The point is, it is better to spend money consulting kitchen remodeling professionals before starting your renovations to spare yourself the hassle and headache of spending more money later to fix the damages and mistakes.
read also: 5 Things to Know Before Starting Your Kitchen Remodel
3. Creating a Kitchen Layout That Isn’t Functional
One of the biggest kitchen design mistakes to avoid is to build a kitchen layout that lacks practicality and functionality. First, you must visualize how you presently use your kitchen and how changing its layout will alter your usage. The best option is to stick to a popular kitchen design that accommodates all kitchen functions and your own needs.
One major kitchen layout planning consideration is the hassle-free traffic flow or ease of movement between spaces. The kitchen triangle is a fairly popular kitchen design that is often incorporated into all kitchens. This design suggests that the paths between the refrigerator, sink, and stove must be for a clear triangular workspace, ensuring efficiency and ease of access.
Moreover, it is also critical to design and plan the placement of appliances and cabinets while estimating their proximity to other features to ensure they can open freely.
Read more: 9 Ways to Add Color to Your Kitchen
4. Measuring Your Kitchen Space Only Once
A grave mistake that most homeowners make is measuring their kitchen only once prior to buying the materials and starting their remodeling project. When it comes to measuring your kitchen and the areas where you’ll place cabinets and major appliances, it’s imperative that you measure it at least twice. While this may seem like obvious advice, you’d be surprised by how often measurements can be incorrect.
The problem with this mistake is that the wrong measurement risks a lack of space for an appliance or another element. Moreover, the wrong measurement can result in inadequate counter height or insufficient designated space for the preferable cabinet size. Estimating or rounding measurement figures down isn’t the right approach either. The best way to tackle this is to draw a design of your kitchen layout indicating all measurements in terms of square footage.
You’ll need a tape measure, even if your remodeling contractor is doing all the work. So, make sure to get one that extends without bending to be able to measure your entire kitchen correctly.
Read more: A Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Materials
5. Not Incorporating Enough Storage
A kitchen is a functional space that can’t possibly function without proper storage, especially if there are multiple residents in a home. So, having various storage options is one of the main kitchen design priorities. The fact is that you can never have too much storage! So, make sure to add as many storage options as possible.
During the planning and design phase, you must think about where you’re going to store your pans, pots, dishes, utensils, etc. While cabinets are one of the most prominent aspects of your kitchen storage, they aren’t enough. You can easily store your cookware, dishes, and food in cabinets. However, drawers are a better, more efficient option for cutlery storage.
The point of building enough storage space in your kitchen is that it will help you hide away small appliances and clear up your cluttered countertop, providing enough workspace to function efficiently.
6. Choosing the Wrong Paint Colors
Choosing the right color scheme for a kitchen is a task that must be executed very carefully. While some people decide the theme and color of their kitchen during the design process, others pick a color once all the other features are installed.
The paint color of your kitchen will determine the ultimate outcome of its appearance. If you choose a too-dark color, your kitchen will look dull and uninviting, especially if there’s inadequate light. On the other hand, if you choose a too-bright color, it can distract guests from the other classy elements of your kitchen, such as the countertops or flooring.
Read also: Kitchen Remodel – How To Choose the Right Countertop Material?
Perhaps, the ideal way to choose a paint color is to decide on the kitchen’s overall theme and consider how all other elements, such as the cabinets, countertops, and flooring will look against these wall colors. Ultimately, the goal is to have a cohesive design theme.
The Bottom Line
A kitchen remodel gone wrong can take a toll on your financial and emotional wellbeing. Given the expansive scope of a kitchen remodeling project, there are many things that can go wrong, which can cost you money and upset you due to the undesired outcome. However, we hope that the above-listed kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid help make your kitchen remodeling process smooth and headache-free.
