A kitchen remodel does require a large investment however, it’s a fantastic way to add value to your home. After all, the kitchen is one of the most well used spaces in a home, they don’t call it the heart of the home for nothing. When it comes to completing a kitchen renovation, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. To help you plan your dream kitchen we compiled a list of 8 common mistakes to avoid.
1. Overlooking Counter Space
Don’t make the common mistake of not including enough counter space. First and foremost, the kitchen is used to prep and cook food, so it is important to ensure you have enough working space to prepare meals, display appliances and potentially a space to eat and socialize if that is how you plan to utilize your kitchen.
2. Underestimating the amount of storage needed
During the planning stages, create a list of your inventory and allocate a space for every single thing. Everything from spice jars, small appliances, cutlery drawers, etc. Having a clear idea of the things you need to store will help keep you on track and keep your kitchen from becoming overcrowded.
Get the most out of your kitchen and think of clever storage solutions. For example, for bulkier items, such as small appliances, consider a corner pull out storage. Not only does it store items out of sight, but the items are also easier to access when needed.
3. Forgetting about the rubbish
This may seem super obvious but believe us when we say this is one of the most overlooked areas in kitchen design. Garbage, recycling and compost is the least glamorous part so who wants to focus on it? That’s right, we do! The last thing you want to see is garbage piling up in your free standing bin in the corner of your beautiful brand new kitchen – waste is inevitable so it should be a priority.
The best solutions are integrated bins or a free standing bin concealed by cupboards. These solutions not only hide the presence of waste but also contains the smell. When we don’t allocate a specific space for waste and bins, our only other option is a free-standing bin on display. Now, garbage bins have come along way, you can find stylish solutions that you want to put on display. However, if a stylish free-standing bin was not a part of the initial plan you may be not be pleased to see waste disposal was overlooked.
4. Going over budget
Even if you have all the money in the world to splurge on a new kitchen, never start a project without having a plan and budget. Setting a budget and keeping in mind what you need from your new kitchen will help you avoid overspending.
The most common mistake and easiest thing to do is go over budget. To help avoid going over budget, create an inventory list that accounts for everything: furniture, electrical, flooring, and contents such as appliances and décor. Also, make sure the things you are spending your money on are practical and will last for many years. For example, if you love the look of solid hardwood but don’t have the time to maintain it properly and/or have a busy household with children, pets and lots of spills, hardwood may not be the most practical flooring option. A waterproof luxury vinyl in a wood-look style may be more suitable for your lifestyle.
5. Not considering plugs and power sources
You want to make sure your power sources and plug ins are all in the right places before committing to plumbing in all your appliances. Think about how you use your kitchen and your workflow. Is the microwave integrated or will you need to allocate counter space? Where will your tea pot, toaster, and other small appliances go? These are the types of things to ask yourself to ensure you end up with the right number of plugins and that they are in the right places.
6. Not consulting an expert
Pinterest may be encouraging you to DIY your kitchen remodel but remember, experts have the experience needed to plan and execute a smooth kitchen renovation. They have the know how in complicated areas such as wiring, plumbing and ventilation – if you don’t know what you are doing in these areas you could be causing maybe some damage.
When it comes to planning, they also know when to carry out each phase of the project – they can see the bigger picture, which allows them to be more efficient and cost-effective.
7. Lack of lighting
Lighting is crucial to any good design. It is not only for function but for aesthetic as well. For instance, your prepping area will require more direct, bright lighting as opposed to your dining area. Spotlighting is still the most common and practical choice to use throughout as they can be grouped based on tasks and installed with dimmers so you have the control of the atmosphere.
Use living room style lighting where people gather, pendants and table lamps create a more focal light source and ambiance. For even more added ambiance, dim the overhead spotlights and let your statement lights take center stage.
8. Going super trendy
Design, fashion, and trends change constantly, some more quickly than others. Keep this in mind when designing your new kitchen and avoid trends that will likely date your home in a couple of years… A new kitchen is not cheap or easy to replace.
Go as trendy as you want with paint, wallpaper, and accessories as these are easy and affordable changes to make. On the flip side, bright coloured cabinets are super on trend and seem like a good idea right now, but will you still love them a few years down the road? If you’re at all unsure, we would say stick to something more timeless.
