Let’s be honest. Making kitchen remodeling mistakes is so easy that you will likely make at least one. There’s so much to think, so much to take into consideration that some things may be left out. Or you may overdo it with sizes, colors – the overall kitchen design.
While the help of a professional kitchen remodeling contractor will definitely come handy, it’s good to start working some things in your mind. Today, there’s no shortage of kitchen remodeling ideas. And don’t take me wrong, this is absolutely great. But surely, you cannot expect to bring all ideas home. And there are some things that are a definite “no,no,no” on all occasions. Why don’t you take a look today to avoid the inevitable “what have I done?” tomorrow?
Going open shelving only
If you don’t mind washing glasses and dishes before you use them and if dusting is your favorite sport, go ahead and fill all these kitchen walls with open shelves. Yes, open shelving looks nice but it’s a pain. Everything must be perfectly organized at all times while dust will enslave you – like it or not. If you like the idea, just get one shelf and don’t clutter it.
Not replacing plumbing
Not all kitchen renovations are the same. You may only need a few changes. But if you plan a complete renovation, make sure all water pipes, everything related to the plumbing system is replaced.
Getting cheap countertops
The kitchen is not just a busy room, but also a heavy-duty room – especially the countertops. And surely, not all kitchen countertops are created equal. While the more resistant, the more expensive, don’t go for anything less than perfect when it comes to that. You need strong countertops – seamless, if possible, fully resistant to moisture, acids, stains, spills. If not, they won’t be food safe either.
Not calculating distances well
Imagine having the kitchen remodeling completed only to find out that the distance from the countertop to the island is so small that the dishwasher door will barely open with ease. Or that there’s not sufficient space to open the refrigerator all the way. This may happen with tight spaces and especially, when the measurements are not accurate from the start.
Choosing the wrong kitchen floor
Kitchen floors get as much beating as countertops. They need to be moisture and stain resistant. Also, extremely durable. If you plan to get a kitchen tile floor, ask about the material’s durability. There are hardness levels for this particular purpose, as a matter of fact. What if you drop a pan? The tile must be strong to take the impact. You don’t want the floor slippery either. So, avoid polished materials, as opposed to walls where matte surfaces will make cleaning particularly difficult.
Not creating sufficient storage space
A beautiful design may thrill you so much that you may forget about the importance of having sufficient kitchen cabinets. It’s really, really important that you focus on the storage space. There’s never enough space in kitchens. So, even if your kitchen is rather big and so the over/under the countertop kitchen cabinets are plenty, see if you can create extra space for storage. Maybe, a pantry. Or an additional floor-based cabinet. Speaking of which, one common mistake with kitchen renovations is to forget about your age and height. What’s the point of installing kitchen cabinets up high if you cannot reach them?
Getting the wrong size
This can be anything. From getting too long kitchen countertops and thus, leaving no space for the trash bin or making traffic difficult to going oversized with items, like pendants or hardware. To make it work, you need to consider the size and height of the kitchen in relation to you and the whole space to achieve the right scale and proportion. You need symmetry to create balance to make a sleek statement.
Going extreme with colors
Bright and intense colors might be wonderful but you may also get tired of them before you know it. Then going all white is great but you will need a splash of color – even through the accessories, to break the icy look. The best route? Stay neutral – different tones, and play with colors only with items that can be easily replaced. You won’t regret it!
