Whether you’re planning a complete kitchen overhaul or want to renovate a section of your kitchen, it’s crucial to keep kitchen remodel dos and don’ts in mind.
As exciting as it may sound, any potential kitchen mistakes regarding renovation can turn your dream project into a nightmare and an expensive one.
Kitchen renovation is a significant investment, and you need to think ahead to ensure you don’t get too tied up with choosing the right paint color or tiles and forget the practicality of it all in the process.
In this article, we will discuss common kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid to safeguard you from wasting time and money, which these mistakes inevitably always lead to.
Poor Planning & Budgeting
One of the most common kitchen remodel mistakes is not planning the entire project in tandem with your budget. Make sure you carefully plan the kitchen renovation project with a keen eye for detail by ascertaining your needs and aligning it with your budget.
The planning and budget should be practical, with some buffers for contingencies. Overlapping this step will inevitably lead to costly delays, additional spending, and disappointment.
Ignoring The Importance Of A Functional Layout
Another kitchen remodel mistake most homeowners make is neglecting the importance of a functional kitchen remodel layout.
The kitchen triangle, comprised of a refrigerator, sink, and stove, should be strategically located for easy and hassle-free movement. Keep ergonomics and workflow in mind to ensure a seamless cooking experience.
Any mistakes in these will deplete your kitchen experience, making it frustrating and cumbersome.
Ignoring Storage Needs
If you don’t want a cluttered kitchen, include ample storage in your kitchen renovation planning. Assess your storage needs by factoring in your inventory and plan accordingly.
Strategically integrating various storage solutions like deep drawers, hidden storage compartments, and pull-out shelves is essential to maximize space utilization.
Using Low-Quality Materials
Skimping on quality materials and opting for low-quality materials may seem tempting when you’re on a tight budget. But, in the long run, it’s a decision that you’re sure to regret.
High-quality materials, countertops, cabinetry, and appliances last long and drastically enhance your kitchen’s aesthetics. Even if they cost a bit more than low-quality materials, their longevity and durability make them a worthy choice.
At Kasselwood Fabricators, we use only top-quality materials backed by a manufacturer’s warranty for all our Montreal kitchen renovation projects.
Neglecting Lighting
For a functional kitchen with warm and pleasant vibes, it’s essential to install proper lighting. The secret here is the right mix of lighting in and around the kitchen, including ambient lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and task lighting.
Don't Prioritize Trendy Over Timeless
When answering what not to do in a kitchen remodel – one of the most common kitchen mistakes people make is choosing trendy over timeless kitchen design trends. Try to strike a fine balance between the latest trends and timeless styles.
Overdoing trendy elements will surely make your kitchen look dated sooner than you anticipated, leaving you with no choice but to go for another kitchen renovation sooner than expected.
Don't Sacrifice Comfort For Style
Yes, aesthetics is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of comfort. Make sure the design elements are not only visually appealing but ergonomically designed as well.
From the heights of counters to walkway clearances and from the size of the island to seating arrangements, everything should be planned ergonomically, prioritizing comfort before everything else.
Keep Realistic Kitchen Renovation Project's Timeline
Kitchen remodel projects often run longer than estimated, and you must factor in a buffer zone in your schedule beforehand. Unexpected issues and challenges may crop up during the project, leading to disruption in your daily schedule, frustration, and even additional costs.
At Kasselwood Fabricators, we are transparent in our approach and keep our clients updated with the project’s progress on a day-to-day basis. It ensures our clients can manage their schedules accordingly while we diligently work towards building your dream kitchen.
Neglecting Mandatory Permits & Inspections
Permits and inspections may be required depending on the size and scale of the kitchen renovation and remodeling project.
Not fulfilling these legal requirements can lead to compliance issues, resulting in expensive penalties and legal challenges, and may even pose safety hazards.
Don't Ignore Resale Value
If you plan to sell your home in the future, it’s important to go for a kitchen renovation that mixes contemporary and timeless styles.
Don’t over-personalize your kitchen because future buyers may not like it. This could impact the resale value of your home in the future.
Ignoring The Backsplash
Choose a backsplash that is easy to clean and maintain and blends with the kitchen’s décor.
It’s an essential and functional element to protect your kitchen walls from splash and stubborn stains, and mustn’t be ignored.
Not Hiring Professionals Or Hiring Amateurs For Kitchen Renovation Project
Kitchen renovation is a complex project requiring professional expertise, and choosing the DIY route isn’t rewarding at all.
Also, if you hire amateurs or a kitchen remodeling company based on only low quotes they offered without researching their experience, expertise, and affiliations, you’re in for a surprise (and not a good one, unfortunately)!
Final Thoughts
No matter how carefully you plan your kitchen renovation, there will always be some or other challenges and issues that may crop up. However, with a bit of research and planning beforehand, you can avoid making the common kitchen renovation mistakes most homeowners make.
At Kasselwood Fabricators, we have the experience and the expertise to take on kitchen remodeling projects of any size and scale. We know the common mistakes associated with kitchen renovations, and we work closely with clients and guide them in the right direction to help them avoid these mistakes.
It paves the way for a beautiful and functional kitchen space you and your family will love and enjoy for years to come.
