The kitchen is one of the most popular places to renovate. And it’s easy to see why: it’s usually central to the home and therefore a hub of activity, and it can be an opportunity to add real value to your property.
But when it comes to renovation mistakes, kitchens are right up there with bathrooms. There’s no getting away from the fact that kitchens are expensive projects, so you need to get every decision right if you’re going to avoid wasting money and time.
To help you avoid common kitchen renovation mistakes, we’ve listed our top five things that people often do wrong when renovating their kitchens.
Top Five Kitchen Renovation Mistakes People Need To Stop Making
1. Placing Too Much Emphasis On Style Over Function
Your kitchen needs to work for you, not just look good. This means that you need well-thought-out storage solutions, counter space, and appliances that suit your lifestyle – not just ones that look nice on Instagram!
One of the biggest mistake people make at the planning stage is not allowing for enough storage. Use every nook and cranny. Put overhead cabinets right up to the ceiling, rather than leaving a gap on top that collects dust.
Once you have planned for enough storage space you can start thinking about adding kitchen cabinet organizers. By adding under-the-sink shelving that doubles shelf space or installing nifty storage racks, you’ll be able to maximize all the usable space in your new kitchen.
Another mistake is not allowing for enough counter space. When it comes to counter space, you need enough space so you can spread out your work area, or have other people in the kitchen helping you, and to just feel more organized.
As you can see below, we made sure these homeowners had enough counter space.
2. Not Planning Ahead
Another mistake people often make is not planning ahead. They might think they have everything figured out but then realize later on that they made a mistake or forgot something important that should have been taken into consideration during the renovation process.
To avoid this, take time to plan out every step before starting any renovation project so nothing is left behind or overlooked at the last minute! Plan what you need before signing on with a contractor or buying new appliances and cabinets.
Here’s a handy tip – in order to get the perfect match for all your kitchen materials, carry samples of all your materials around with you: tiles, hardware, countertop, cabinets, and paint chips. This will help you make the right kitchen design decisions.
You’ll see below, how we took the time to map out exactly what the homeowner wanted and the end result was this stunning kitchen!
3. Not Looking For Inspiration
The internet is filled with ideas for our kitchens and bathrooms, so you should definitely take advantage of those resources!
There are many websites that offer free images of kitchens that you can download and use as inspiration for your own renovation projects. Websites like Houzz have tons of interior design photos, home decor tips, and decorating ideas.
You can also find magazines featuring beautiful kitchens that can inspire you. Canadian Home Trends is a great online magazine written and published by Canadians for Canadians with short, informational articles relating to home décor, building, and renovating.
Here at Stongood Construction Ltd., we also have a wealth of knowledge and experience that we use to help you when you’re planning a kitchen remodel or renovation. Our expert interior designer can guide you on your kitchen inspiration journey.
Below is just one example of a kitchen renovation we helped to inspire.
4. Going Over Budget
One of the most common kitchen renovation mistakes people make is not having a solid budget in place. This could mean that you end up spending more than what you originally planned and not being able to complete the project as expected.
To avoid this, make sure that you know exactly how much money you will need for each aspect of your kitchen and stick to it. Write down your top priorities so if any unexpected costs hit your budget, you’ll still get the top things on your list completed.
When setting your renovation priorities, weigh the cost of the little extras, like crown molding or high-end fixtures, to how important they really are to the overall look and function of your kitchen. The little things add up. There may be a cost-saving alternative, or you may be able to do without the item entirely.
5. Not Choosing The Right Contractor
Another common mistake people make when renovating kitchens is not choosing a contractor carefully. Don’t cut corners when it comes to finding contractors or hiring professionals to do your kitchen renovation.
A good contractor will make the decision-making process easier by listening to your wants, needs, and tastes, and helping you make the perfect selections for your kitchen.
There are so many things to consider when renovating your kitchen. From picking the right contractor to choosing materials, there are many decisions that need to be made. And while it might seem like a daunting task, it’s important to take your time and do it right. For our team of professionals who are experts in kitchen renovations, what might be stressful to you, is something we love to do! By working with a kitchen contractor, you’ll get valuable tips, advice, and years of experience to help you fine-tune your kitchen renovation.
Are you overwhelmed by the idea of renovating your kitchen? We have the experience and a wealth of knowledge that can help you avoid making costly kitchen renovation mistakes. If you want to learn more, just contact us.