Designing your dream kitchen should be exactly that – a dream. When renovating or designing a kitchen from the ground up, there’s a lot to think about—from kitchen islands to cabinetry, lighting, appliances and backsplash ideas—and forgetting or ignoring even one seemingly minor detail can have long-term effects.
Furthermore, as kitchens grow more integrated into our homes and daily routines, it’s crucial that your cooking space reflects your own style, whether you prefer all-white kitchens, colourful kitchens, trendy kitchens or even a small kitchen.
Research about some easy kitchen renovation tips which will give you an idea about what’s in store. The more you know about the process, the easier it will be to complete your kitchen renovation. While it’s vital to understand what to do during your kitchen makeover, it’s also essential to understand the mistakes to avoid. We’ll look at the top eleven mistakes people make when renovating their kitchens.
9 mistakes to avoid during a kitchen renovation
1. Going alone
Your kitchen renovation is a big task that will most likely cost a lot of money. If you do not have prior expertise managing a significant renovation project, it is worthwhile to engage a kitchen design specialist or work with a kitchen renovation contractor. It’s great to do it yourself, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek out comments or advice from friends or kitchen design specialists.
Design experts may provide a wealth of useful knowledge for a minimal cost, ensuring that your kitchen design plans flow flawlessly together. They can even guide you on the trends to include in your kitchen renovations. So, unless you’re a general contractor, it’s highly recommended that you don’t try to renovate your kitchen on your own to avoid any kitchen disasters. You may also consult great renovation tradies in melbourne.
2. Choosing appliances last
If you’re working with a contractor who makes cabinets to order, be sure you’ve bought your appliances before the work begins on your cabinets. At the very least, know which appliances you’ll be buying and double-check that they aren’t out of stock or back-ordered. Your cabinet builder will need to know the appliance specifications in order to make cabinets that will fit your appliances.
Imagine instructing your cabinet maker to make a 33” wide opening for your cooktops, only to have them arrive 36” wide. This might be a costly mistake to rectify!
3. Skipping storage details
Don’t skimp on add-ons and storage features like pantry pull-outs and drawer dividers if your budget permits them. These improve your kitchen’s storage efficiency, a trait you’ll love after your renovation is complete. These types of add-ons can always be done afterwards, but they are far more expensive to do later on.
4. Not paying attention to workflow
Remember the sink, stove and refrigerator while renovating your kitchen. Ensure that all of these busiest areas and appliances are at a convenient location that is connected. The kitchen “work triangle” is a term that many designers use for this.
In your kitchen, a work triangle maximises efficiency and functionality. The distance travelled between work areas is reduced when you use a work triangle.
5. Compromising on counter space
Grab as much counter space as possible! You won’t be sorry. With additional counter space, you may spread out your work area, have others help you in the kitchen and feel more organised in general. Careful appliance placement will help your countertop flow more smoothly. If you place large equipment such as your stove and refrigerator too near together, you’ll end up with a chaotic layout and limited countertop space. Plan out your appliances and cabinets to make the most of your counter space.
6. Don’t forget to set a budget
Before you choose a home renovation contractor to begin work on your kitchen, don’t forget to set a budget. Cabinets need to actually account for one-third of the expenditures that are incurred throughout the remodelling of your kitchen. Kitchen renovations often range in price from $30,000 to $60,000 and above. A $10,000 budget for kitchen cabinets will not get you a vast kitchen or a lot of “extras”.
As a result, if you want to open up space by removing a load-bearing wall, have a pantry, deep pot and pan cabinets, spice racks and more, you’ll need to increase your budget. Even if you go slightly over budget, stay as near to the figure as possible to avoid future financial hardships.
7. Neglecting the backsplash
Why not make a statement with one of your kitchen’s primary focal points? Use different shades of the same tone to play with colour, which will give your kitchen a very sophisticated and put-together look. Backsplashes can be as simple as glass subway tiles, which provides texture, gloss, interest and a great focal point to a kitchen at a low cost. Make sure there’s money in your budget for a great backsplash!
8. Leaving spaces underutilised
Make use of any unused space in your kitchen. Toe-kick storage beneath cabinet doors, for example, is a clever way to store items like serveware, linens or a spare step ladder that are not in use every day. Using your kitchen’s floor plan to discover additional storage can also help keep your countertops clear. Check your kitchen and breakfast area as well. Small walls are often available for a short pantry or broom closet. If you have a small kitchen or residence, utilising spots like these that people usually overlook can improve your storage efficiency.
9. Don’t narrow your aisles
Kitchen aisles must be wide enough to accommodate all of the activities that take place in the kitchen. The clearance allows numerous cooks to manoeuvre around each other and navigate the space. When planning your new kitchen, make sure all lanes are between 42 and 48 inches wide, including those between islands, walls and appliances. Consider balancing the placement of essential items such as sinks and the range so that two cooks do not collide.
Takeaway:
When it comes to kitchen renovations, knowing what mistakes to avoid is crucial. This is a significant investment and you want to make the best decision possible. Work with a contractor who specialises in kitchens and has completed many kitchen upgrades in recent years. Ensure that they are aware of your requirements and budget. Keep the points mentioned above in mind, and you’ll have a beautiful kitchen.