The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where we nourish our bodies and create familial bonds.
Kitchen remodeling can make this vital space even better. But before you sink valuable resources into reconstructing your dream kitchen, you need to know the common pitfalls to look out for. Kitchen renovations are expensive and complex. There are many moving parts, from knocking down walls, changing the flooring, adding a kitchen island, and more. If you aren’t aware of the mistakes to avoid, you can expect budget overruns and schedule delays. For expert help, consider checking out Renovation Capital, which offers insights and resources to manage your renovation effectively.
That said, here are the common kitchen renovation mistakes to watch out for:
1. Not thinking in 3D and being unrealistic
It’s more important to have a functional kitchen than a beautiful one. What good is an aesthetically pleasing kitchen if it doesn’t meet your basic needs? A successful kitchen remodel is, first and foremost, practical.
That’s why not thinking in 3D is a big no-no. If you don’t consider all the dimensions of your kitchen when planning your renovation, you run the risk of overdoing your aesthetics at the expense of functionality. If you need assistance with planning and design, consult a professional kitchen remodeling contractor. Their expertise allows them to create precise plans that ensure every aspect of your new kitchen is perfectly aligned with your objectives.
Don’t just think about your new kitchen design.Think about what your life will look like in that space. Will you be able to use your oven if the drawer in front of it is open?
So, before embarking on your renovation, open appliance and cabinet doors to ensure you have enough clearance space. You wouldn’t want to restrict your movement or the operation of kitchen gadgets.
You also want to be realistic about the upkeep of your entire kitchen. Choose floor material that’s stain-resistant and moisture-proof. Your kitchen countertops must be heat and odor-resistant. If you have young children, don’t pick stainless steel appliances for your kitchen. Since kids usually touch everything around them, you’ll only find yourself wiping the surfaces of these appliances on a regular basis to remove the fingerprints they leave behind.
Lighting is another factor. Not allocating space for bright bulbs isn’t realistic since you need adequate lighting to cook properly in the kitchen. Pay attention to your air ventilation as well. Your kitchen should have a window that ensures optimal airflow when you’re in front of a hot stove. Consider working with a replacement window contractor who can help you get the most out of this important kitchen element.
2 Not considering budget
Not making a realistic budget is one of the biggest kitchen remodeling mistakes. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of choosing colors and picking kitchen appliances. Without a budget detailing material and labor costs, you’ll end up overspending or cutting corners, resulting in a kitchen nightmare.
Creating a comprehensive budget in the planning stage ensures you remain true to your vision. Moreover, it helps you identify and prioritize primary features.
Here’s a free template to keep you from making costly mistakes.
Online estimators are great tools that help you evaluate how much money you need to complete your kitchen renovation project. You can also consult with professionals. They not only have industry experience but also connections to reputable vendors.
Note that home renovations always cost more than you think. Unforeseen expenses such as supply price changes can wreak havoc even on the most detailed budgets. To mitigate these unexpected money pits, create a contingency fund of 10% to 20% of your budget. That way, your kitchen remodeling project doesn’t have to grind to a halt, and you don’t have to cut corners elsewhere.
3. Failing to plan for deliveries
We can’t stress enough the importance of proper planning. If planning expenses ensure you don’t break your budget, planning for deliveries helps keep your kitchen remodel project within its timeline.
There is an order for remodeling kitchens. Structural and system changes, such as knocking down a wall and upgrading the electrical and plumbing always come first. However, as a rule of thumb, you work your way up.
- Walls
- Flooring
- Cabinets and countertops
- Sinks and faucets
- Light fixtures
- Appliance
You can’t install the refrigerator or stove top before flooring. Therefore, you should order materials and appliances accordingly to avoid delays.
4. Considering trends as the highest priority
Basing renovation ideas on trends is a surefire way to ensure it will need another kitchen makeover. Unless you have cash to burn, this isn’t a viable option. Trends come and go. The prevailing style of the day may differ from the tastes of future owners. If house hunters have to remodel the kitchen, it will lower the resale value of your house. Therefore, you want your new kitchen to feel timeless.
Also, consider the fact that the prevailing trend may not be aligned with the architectural authenticity of your home. A modern kitchen design will be out of place in a Gothic-style house, for example.
That said, following trends isn’t all that bad. You just need to know what trendy items you can incorporate that won’t require an overhaul of your kitchen should you change your mind or the next homeowners just decide they don’t want it. As a general rule, if an item can be swapped out easily (lighting fixtures, for example), you can follow any trend that tickles your fancy.
5. Not planning enough storage
You need to plan how much space you’ll need to store kitchen items. Not doing this is one of the biggest kitchen renovation mistakes you can make. A beautiful kitchen layout quickly devolves into a cluttered counter space without proper storage. The lack of storage can lead to security risks, too. If you don’t have space for your knives in your drawers, for instance, you’ll likely put them on your countertop, within reach of small children.
Before starting your kitchen remodel project, take inventory of your kitchen. Measure kitchen cabinets and drawers to ensure tall or oddly shaped tools fit.
Planning kitchen storage solutions from the beginning ensures the space doesn’t just fit your lifestyle. It also
Conclusion
Renovations are a great way to inject newness into your kitchen. They are also investments that can increase the value of your home. However, the endeavor can be costly and overwhelming without the proper preparation.
Avoiding the common kitchen renovation mistakes highlighted above helps you realize your dream kitchen faster. Setting a realistic budget, planning for deliveries, allocating sufficient storage, and prioritizing function over trends not only ensures a smooth and enjoyable renovating experience. It creates a happy home. And we all know that a happy home makes for a happy life.
