Is a kitchen remodel in your future? Kitchen remodels can add quite a bit of value to your home, but they are also a sizable investment. To make sure you are getting the most out of your investment, you will want to avoid some common kitchen remodel mistakes. These are some kitchen mistakes our design team often sees.
1. Failing to Prepare for the Process
One of the first kitchen renovation mistakes many homeowners make is not preparing for the process. The process can take a while to complete, and this means you may not have access to your kitchen. You’ll need to make arrangements to prepare food outside of your home, eat out, or stay with friends during the main part of the remodeling process. This kitchen remodeling timeline will give you a good idea of what to expect.
2. Emphasizing Form Over Function
Next, be careful not to be so focused on the look of your kitchen that you ignore how it functions. Kitchens need to have a good flow. Beautiful kitchen counters and flooring is great, but if the kitchen isn’t functional with the way you use it, you’re not going to love your new remodeled space. You need work zones, areas for food prep, and plenty of space to move around the home. This is an area where working with a kitchen designer can help. You’ll be able to move forward with confidence knowing the final kitchen will look stunning and fit the needs of your home’s occupants.
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3. Doing It Yourself
Your kitchen is not somewhere you want to cut corners. This particular remodeling job has to be done well. There are many safety issues in the kitchen, like gas lines and electrical systems, that DIY remodeling can mess up. Working with the right team will ensure you have a beautiful, functional, and safe finished product.
4. Not Planning for Lighting
Lighting is vital to your kitchen. You need to be able to see well to prepare food safely, and it’s easy to overlook lighting as you plan for backsplashes, countertops, and flooring. A remodel is an excellent time to add under-the-counter lighting, more overhead lighting, recessed lighting, and other lighting that will make your kitchen easier to use.
5. Not Adding Enough Storage
Storage is also vital in the kitchen. It is necessary to store food and dishes, but it’s also one of the features many homeowners overlook. Especially in an era when open floor plans are popular, you can easily lose storage in an attempt to open up the space. Make sure you retain storage, especially a pantry when you remodel your kitchen.
6. Choosing the Wrong Backsplash
Modern, trendy kitchen designs often include a decorative backsplash. Be careful here. You want your backsplash to not only be beautiful but also functional. It should be easy to clean, waterproof, and attractive to the overall design of your space. It can be colorful and even a bit eccentric, but this doesn’t mean that it should be so over-powering that it detracts from all of the other features of the kitchen. It should blend well with your overall design.
7. Ignoring the Rest of the House
A beautiful, modern kitchen can be a selling point in a home, but it can also be a detraction if it doesn’t flow with the rest of the home. As you choose colors and materials for your kitchen, make sure it works well with the colors and materials in other areas of your home. Don’t fall victim to tunnel vision and focus only on your kitchen, but remember that it is a room that must flow through the rest of your home.
8. Skimping on Appliances
Every component of your kitchen costs money, but remodeling is the best time to upgrade your appliances. Don’t skimp here. Get appliances that work well and add to the aesthetics of your kitchen. (Check out this article on 10 Must-Haves for a Gourmet Kitchen in Sarasota.) Consider whether now is the right time to add some extra perks like a warming drawer, smart refrigerator, or convection oven.
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9. Adding Too Few Outlets
When you remodel your kitchen, make sure you have enough outlets. You need space to plug in all types of devices to ensure you can get the ultimate functionality out of your kitchen, and this means plenty of outlets. Near the sink, consider GCFI outlets for your safety, but talk to your design team about adding a few more as you go through this process.
Get Professional Help with Your Kitchen Remodel
Is it time to remodel your kitchen? If you feel that it is, the right design and build team is essential. Gilbert Design Build offers excellent insight into the remodeling process with a proven system that will take you from start to finish with success. Reach out today to get a free consultation to discuss your kitchen remodel.
