Renovating part of your home can be like building a brand new space. Though renovation can be a refreshing way to reignite your love for your home’s interior, it takes budgeting, design, and construction considerations to make it happen.
If you’ve decided to give your kitchen a facelift, there are a few things you should do to ensure it doesn’t come out botched. Here are seven kitchen remodeling mistakes to avoid on your next build day.
Mismatching appliance finishes
Maybe the kitchen you had before boasted old hodgepodge appliances. While some people don’t mind a kitschy kitchen, most prefer a cohesive aesthetic for entertaining. Not only does it improve the resale value, but it also ensures your kitchen will look brand new for years to come.
Finishes can be challenging to match across brands and models, so purchasing your kitchen appliances in a package is your best bet. Retailers like Goedeker’s offer high-quality appliance bundles to help you save money on a chic new cuisine.
Not enough storage
Ample storage tops the wish list for most homeowners’ dream kitchens. A sprawling, open-concept kitchen might look great in photographs, but you need to ensure that the kitchen supports your family’s lifestyle. For example, if you entertain often, you’ll need extra space for large serving dishes.
While designing and choosing your layout, make sure storage space is a high priority. The last thing you want is a newly renovated kitchen that looks nice but doesn’t function properly.
Changing design halfway through
Inspiration can strike at any time, but acting on a whim in the middle of your renovation might not be the wisest move. Changing your designs partway through the process can extend the project and stretch your budget beyond its limits. Before you commit money to your renovation plans, spend an extended period thinking about the designs you want to see in your new space.
Choosing looks over practicality
Big expensive appliances are flashy, and so are unique designs. But are those catalog designs the best fit for your lifestyle? When picking out the features you want, try to picture yourself already in that space.
For example, making an island too long, too close to other counters, or wide makes it challenging to navigate and use the space properly. Make sure there’s a couple of feet between your counter and your island and that you can still reach across the surface.
Renovating is about making your kitchen feel more personalized, but you should also consider the resale value of your home as you make changes.
Too few lights and outlets
No one wants to cook in the dark, especially if it’s a chronic issue. Forgetting about adequate light in a kitchen reno is more common than you might think.
Bring your space together with lights that match the appliances, paint color, and backsplash. There are a lot of creative fixtures available to place generously around your room. Shedding some light on your evening meal is the perfect way to ensure everything comes up tasting right.
Going over budget
Home design comes with limitless possibilities, but unfortunately, that means it’s all too easy to get carried away. To help keep your budget intact, make sure you calculate time for labor and strike a balance on price and item quality. You want a functioning, beautiful kitchen, and you don’t have to break the bank to achieve that.
Going all DIY
There is no harm in going the DIY route, as long as you know what you’re doing and prepare yourself for the time and energy investment you’ll need to make. Professionals should handle things like plumbing, electrical, and carpentry to ensure everything complies with local code.
If you’re still an amateur when it comes to renovating, don’t bite off more than you can chew—starting a project that you have no hope of finishing will leave your kitchen in worse shape than when you started.
Final thoughts
A kitchen reno is a massive undertaking, but one that can breathe life back into the hub of your home. Be sure to invest adequate budgeting and time into your project, and your kitchen will be sitting pretty in no time.
