Kitchen renovation mistakes can be heartbreaking, costly and easy to make. Want to get your kitchen renovation right the first time? Step away from the glossy mags and fab kitchen designs on Pinterest for a minute. Check out five of the most common kitchen renovation mistakes people make and what you can do to avoid them.
1. Forgetting function and flow
A poorly functioning kitchen can be a recipe for disaster. Kitchens are called the heart of a home for a reason. Not only are they a place for family and friends to congregate, but the kitchen is the busiest and hardest working place in your home. Before you jump into a kitchen renovation, you need to put thought into what you want from your kitchen and who will be the main people working in it.
If you’re head chef in your kitchen, think about what works best for you. Is bending down to access the microwave under the counter a hassle for you? Do you prefer to have extra counter space? Where is your preferred location for your sink? Break your kitchen design into key elements to help with your planning. Think preparation, cooking and cleaning. Ensure you allocate enough space for each of these.
Your sink, stove, pantry and fridge will be the busiest areas in your kitchen. Ensure they are in easily accessible and efficient locations. You want traffic to flow through your kitchen with ease. Simple design errors can be a nightmare down the track. Nail your design before you start ripping out cabinetry and smashing up tiles.
Don’t forget about the little details. Careful placement of power points is essential. You’ll be kicking yourself if your power points are nowhere near where you need them. Lighting is another thing to keep front of mind. You don’t want to prepare meals in darkness — pay careful attention to the positioning of your lights and the type of lighting you plan to install.
When you choose your elements and appliances, be sure to not get caught up in the latest bells and whistles. Your appliances not only need to look great, but they need to be practical, functional and work for you.
2. Skimping on space
Sufficient counter space and storage space are essential in a kitchen. Whether you’re feeding an army or a family of two, you can never have enough preparation area in a kitchen. Always opt for more counter space than less, if you can. A kitchen renovation expert can work with you on a design that meets your needs. They can provide practical solutions on how to use storage to free up counter space and work with you on a smart design that will tick all of your boxes, and then some. Don’t have a lot of space to work with in your kitchen? Don’t worry. Your kitchen designer will show you the tricks of the trade to maximise the space you do have.
There are loads of new and practical storage options on the market. Take the time to research the different options available and discuss with your kitchen renovation expert, which will be best for your kitchen. When you’re planning your cabinetry, triple check your measurements and then check them again. The wrong measurements can be a costly kitchen renovation mistake you can easily avoid.
3. Don’t fall into the trend trap
Glossy kitchen design magazines, Pinterest, Instagram and house renovation TV shows are often your first port of call when seeking kitchen inspiration. Make a note to not let yourself get mesmerised with funky, quirky and out-there designs and fads. They might look so hot right now, but in 10 years’ time, or less, you’ll be regretting your choice. Copper tap work and kitchen lighting is currently trending, but you might be ripping it all out sooner than you’d like.
While you don’t plan on moving anytime soon, it’s still important to think of resale when you’re renovating your kitchen. You may be head over heels in love with a retro kitchen, but will buyers feel the same way about your pop of citrus near the pantry? Before you whip yourself into a frenzy over fanciful trends, be sure to keep in mind the style of the rest of your home. Your kitchen design expert can show you how to incorporate certain trends while making your renovation as timeless as possible. If you’re crushing hard on a particular trend, incorporate it into your kitchen with accessories and ornaments. Your kitchen designer can show you how.
4. Failure to consult a kitchen design expert
Consider yourself a gun at DIY? Ready to rip out your kitchen and replace it with a brand spanking new one? Hold it right there. Kitchen renovations are a major investment in time and money. You want to get it right the first time and without costly kitchen renovation mistakes. It is essential to consult a kitchen designer before you go at your renovation hammer and tong. By all means, show your kitchen designer your plans and ideas. They will help you think logically about your design, fine tune it and give you solid kitchen renovation advice based on years of experience. They may even have ideas and options that weren’t on your radar. Your kitchen designer can deliver you customised, original designs that complement the style of your home and your personality. When it comes to kitchen design, there’s no one-size-fits-all. Your kitchen designer will work with you on a clever design sure to make you swoon.
5. Forgetting your budget
The best way to avoid cost blowouts in your kitchen renovation is to carefully plan your budget before you start your renovation. Sit down with your kitchen designer to discuss how much money you have allocated for your kitchen renovation and what you should be spending your hard earned cash on. You want your kitchen renovation to increase the value of your home, so be very careful not to overcapitalise. As with all renovations, it’s helpful to be flexible when it comes to budget.
Avoid making costly kitchen renovation mistakes. Contact All Bathroom Gear today on 07 3391 8626 to design, supply and install the kitchen of your dreams.
