5 Common Mistakes to Avoid If You’re Planning to Remodel Your Kitchen

A kitchen remodel can be an exciting project, but it’s also very complex and involves different kinds of components. Hence, it’s easy to overlook details that can create major problems down the line and lead to overspending.  

While homeowners often think of what they should do to create their dream kitchen, it’s equally important to understand what they shouldn’t do, ensuring a seamless and successful transformation of their culinary space. Below, we outline the most common mistakes homeowners make when remodelling their kitchens so that you can sidestep them and create a kitchen that’s practical and aesthetic at the same time.

(Image Credit: freepik)

Not planning properly 

Ask any interior designer and they will tell you that one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when remodelling their kitchen is failing to plan properly. To succeed with your kitchen remodel, it’s essential to have a vision and an end goal. By this, we don’t mean having in mind a pretty picture of the kitchen’s design, but rather, how you envision your life in this space. Ultimately, the kitchen needs to be able to meet your needs, which is why this is a very important consideration. As with any other home improvement plan, it’s essential to be realistic, so before you start buying stuff and knocking down walls, get clear about what you can accomplish within your budget. 

 

By no means should you rush the process of planning for the kitchen remodel, so take the time to do comprehensive research, make sketches, and hire a professional if needed, as they can create a tailor-made plan that suits you. Ultimately, this will be worth it, as it will save you money, time, and anguish not only during the renovation period but also in the long run.

 

Neglecting a functional layout

The kitchen layout is one of the most important decisions you will make when renovating your space, and not prioritizing it is a massive mistake. As a general rule, it should follow the kitchen work triangle principle, which means optimizing the position of the sink, stove, and refrigerator to ensure efficiency. Based on the triangle principle, these three areas should be placed next to each other in the design, and you can use them to determine where to plan your appliances. Suppose an island or cabinets obstruct them; cooking can become very inefficient, and this is obviously something you want to avoid. 

 

Moreover, overlooking the importance of traffic flow can cause congestion in high-use areas. For instance, placing the fridge near a doorway could block cabinetry when opening it, which could disrupt how you utilize the space. Before completing the layout, it’s of the utmost importance to consider how you will move through the kitchen; it can be helpful to create a physical map of the space and refer back to it. Also, consider the appliances that will be used most frequently and make sure to place them in more open planned areas of the space, as this will ensure there’s proper distance between them. 

 

Not creating an accurate budget

A kitchen remodel can be costly. In fact, whatever amount of money you think you will spend, chances are, you will end up spending more than you plan, so it’s always a good idea to have a 15-20% contingency. Do your research on everything from countertops and flooring to cabinetry and accessories, so that you can figure out the total cost. Budgeting may seem like a boring task, but it is in fact the secret sauce that will ensure your renovation won’t become a financial horror story. When you have a clear idea of how much money will go into your project, things change, allowing you the freedom to splurge where it matters and save where it doesn’t. 

 

As a general rule, kitchen renovations can cost $10,000, but they can exceed that figure significantly as well, and most homeowners will pay somewhere between $30,000–$60,000 for a mid-level remodel. Start with the non-negotiables when considering the budget and remember that compromising doesn’t mean sacrificing quality! In the end, it all comes down to shopping smart. For example, there are kitchen manufacturers that offer cheaper options when it comes to kitchen cabinets, such as kitchenwarehouseltd.com.

 

On their website, you can find a range of styles, allowing you to choose the one that fits your preferences and needs. Make sure to consider if there are projects you can tackle yourself, such as installing floating shelves or swapping out cabinet hardware, and seek professional support for higher-risk projects, such as plumbing, as this will save you money in the long run.

 

Overlooking storage solutions

One of the biggest regrets among homeowners after remodelling is not including enough storage in their space. While there’s no doubt that beautiful aesthetics matter, you should never sacrifice functionality. Failing to plan storage adequately can lead to cluttered countertops, a lack of organizational efficiency, and difficult-to-access cabinets. 

 

When considering kitchen storage, make sure to opt for smart storage solutions like pull-out spice racks, deep drawers for pans and pots, lazy Susans, and corner cabinets, to name a few. Moreover, opting for open shelving or upper cabinets can maximize vertical space and ensure your kitchen is free of unnecessary mess, keeping it organized. To further enhance accessibility and organization, consider opting for customizable inserts, like pull-out baskets and drawer dividers. 

 

Relying too much on trends

It can be tempting to rely on trends when remodelling your kitchen, but the thing about trends is that they are here today and can be gone tomorrow. That’s just how they are, which is why it’s not necessarily a good idea to incorporate too many trendy items into your kitchen design. This is especially true when it comes to larger components of the kitchen, like countertops and cabinetry, which should have a timeless style so that you won’t have to go all over again through a remodelling process once the trend fades away.

 

Moreover, relying too much on trendy pieces may affect the resale value of your home, as buyers may see themselves needing to invest money to give the kitchen a makeover. To avoid this, take a look at different images from over the decades to get inspiration, and focus on the details that feel true to your style and taste and not just to the current moment.  

 

The bottom line

Remodelling your kitchen is no easy feat. You need to plan properly and choose components that will enhance functionality and aesthetics while keeping your budget in mind. Ultimately, remember that creating an environment that is easy to use should be the main goal, so don’t rush the process and pay attention to the most important details, as this will ensure you won’t make costly mistakes. Happy remodelling!