What are some kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid?
The kitchen is the heart of a home, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners are motivated to remodel or redecorate this particular room. Yet, even before you start ripping up flooring and replacing cabinets, there are some errors that might lead you to regret your decision. This article aims to teach you how to avoid them by providing advice based on our experience with customers and ourselves as a company.
Stay away from these kitchen renovation mistakes if possible:
1- Don’t hire an inexperienced contractor:
While contractors may come cheaper than some other professionals, they may cost you more in the long run if they don’t do their job well. Hiring a contractor who has never done a kitchen renovation will only result in poor design and ineffective work. Avoid this by asking neighbors and friends for recommendations, asking local homeowners for referrals, or use
traditional classifieds or yellow pages to source the services of experienced contractors.
2- Don’t rely on visuals:
As soon as you see the kitchen, you wish to have, take notes on everything that bothers you about it. Use the note as an inspiration for fixtures, countertops, and flooring, then bring your notes to your contractor during the design stage. Avoid this trap by doing your drawings at the beginning of the process.
3- Don’t install a faucet until all plumbing is done:
If you see an attractive faucet on display, buy it and ask for it to be installed but don’t make the mistake of waiting for everything else to be completed before installing it. This can lead to plumbing issues or a desire to change the layout of your kitchen once you have installed what you want. Think about your layout and design even before you choose a faucet.
4- Don’t neglect ventilation:
Although it’s tempting to install particle board cabinets as finishings in which no air will pass through, they can lead to strong odors. It’s wise to include vertical ventilation in the design so that there will always be access to fresh air. Avoid this mistake by having appropriate openings and vents between different rooms or installing cabinets or appliances with ventilation panels.
5- Don’t choose a faucet based on looks:
Even though you might think that a beautiful faucet (or any other component) will lead to a more beautiful kitchen, it is not true. Beautiful faucets usually don’t connect well with the rest of your design and are usually very expensive, making them better suited for commercial spaces than residential ones. Instead, go for functionality and homeliness, even if they make less aesthetic sense.
6- Don’t go for a contemporary look:
This is a trap that’s common in customers’ minds. Doing an accent wall with a wave or wave pattern can be very disturbing aesthetically, and you will have to add more accessories, the exact opposite of what you want. Even though the wave pattern will give you access to new colors and finishes, it will not provide aesthetic balance. Avoid this mistake by buying
decorative elements are already part of your design concept, and by shopping for decorative elements and accessories afterward.
7- Don’t trust modern kitchen design trends:
Kitchens should not be designed according to current trends, or they will likely become dated models in a few years. Instead, try to pick a design that you might want to change in 10 years so that it can be adapted to the tastes and styles of the future. And remember: If it’s not timeless, it’s not true kitchen design.
8- Don’t replace your existing cabinets without reason:
Homeowners make this common mistake: changing all or most of their cabinetry even if they are still in good shape. In some cases, changing cabinetry is necessary to improve your kitchen’s overall aesthetic, but before you go for this major remodel, consider connecting them to the design. Instead of changing your cabinets, you can consider a more simple change. For example, you could opt for higher-quality accessories (including faucets and sinks) that are compatible with the new cabinetry and can help to improve the overall design.
9- Don’t take shortcuts:
You might be tempted to try out new products that are not yet on the market but promise to fix all your little issues in a few hours. However, it would help if you did the necessary research to be sure about the product and how long it will last before being replaced by something similar or better. Avoid this mistake by always choosing durable materials (not just for cabinets but for almost everything).
10- Don’t be afraid to make changes:
If you have a design that is not working, or if you are dissatisfied with the quality of your remodeling products and services, don’t worry. You can always change something, even mid-project. Many homeowners discover that they need to do minor changes to their design only after completing the kitchen remodel, and it’s usually very easy to change a design in the small details. Instead of avoiding this mistake, think about it carefully before you start designing your kitchen.
11- Don’t get obsessed:
Making a kitchen remodel is not as easy as it seems. It’s easy to get obsessed with details, such as the perfect design or an elegant appliance or accessory. While these might be nice additions, they can distract you from other important things, such as the function of your kitchen and its design. Instead, try to avoid this trap by thinking about your overall concept of the kitchen and how it will work when all is said and done.
12- Don’t forget about planning:
You can’t just decide on your kitchen remodeling project and hope for the best. You must make sure that all your decisions are based on logic and research to have a solid foundation for making decisions in the future. Avoid this mistake by making a detailed plan with all of your ideas and drawings before any remodeling is done.
13- Don’t forget about construction methods:
You might be tempted to make a kitchen remodel work by spending as little money as possible, but you must think about the result and how long your home improvement will last. You must choose construction methods and materials carefully so that you don’t have to repair or replace them too soon. Avoid this mistake by choosing durable materials for your custom or prefabricated cabinetry.
14- Don’t go for the cheapest option:
There are many places to find cheap cabinets and other kitchen components, but it’s important not to forget the quality (and sometimes even the quantity). Cheap cabinets can be made from low-quality materials which may not hold up to everyday wear and tear. Instead of saving money, try looking for more affordable options that include good-quality material.
15- Don’t get your inspiration from magazines:
There is a lot of information online about remodeling kitchens, so you should take advantage of this before deciding on a specific design. Make sure that you compare different ideas so that you can find what works best for your home. Avoid this mistake by looking at the work of professional designers and by doing your research before starting the project.
Conclusion
Kitchen remodeling can be a very rewarding project for a homeowner, but you must think carefully about your decisions. Don’t let your obsession with details and trends make this fun project more difficult than it needs to be. Just like anything else, the important things come before the small details.
If done right, your kitchen remodel can transform the look of your entire home. Choosing the right products and materials is just as important as choosing cabinets, tiles, or lighting.
Give us a call if you need any help!