Remodeling a kitchen is a big job. Often, there is a hefty price tag attached by the time you are finished. While there are many ways to complete the remodel of your dreams, there are also several pitfalls to avoid. From incomplete planning and preparation to taking shortcuts, many things can go wrong if you don’t have your goals laid out.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can make sure that your renovation ends up creating the best possible kitchen you can envision. This room is the centerpiece of your home, where people congregate, cook, and socialize. Renovating it right can lead to significant returns when you sell your house, and improve your quality of life while you are still in the home.
Table of Contents
Hire a Professional Designer
Many people, understandably, tend to skip this step when they remodel their kitchens. Professionals do command a substantial rate, and those costs can test already-stretched budgets. Other remodelers have a unique vision in mind and do not want professional designers to encroach on their plans.
However, that approach can backfire quickly. Professional kitchen designers have years of experience working with kitchens. They know how to adapt the space best and make sure that you are maximizing the kitchen layout. Professionals can work alongside you, especially if you communicate your plans clearly, to enhance what you already have planned.
Plan Ahead
A lot of times, people hurry forward with their remodel. They are eager to start, ready to redo their kitchens and start using them. Planning ahead, though, is probably the most important step in the renovation process. Whether you need to prepare for the types of kitchen cabinets, flooring, countertops, or even the financing you may need, it all takes time.
It is best to plan up to a few months before ever lifting a hammer. With a little preparation, you will save a ton of money and have a more efficient remodeling process. Scrambling endlessly back and forth to the store is no way to complete a remodel smoothly.
Plan Your Budget, and Stick to It
At first, you may think your remodel can be done affordably. Hopefully, it can, but often, costs tend to pile up quickly, surprising even experienced renovators. If you are altering structural pieces in your kitchen – such as walls, doors, and ceilings – there is a possibility of impacting neighboring rooms.
You may have to update wiring, reconfigure air ducts, or knock out adjacent portions of your home that you were not originally planning. One solution is to take your time. Figure out each component of your renovation and the cost of individual items. Leave yourself some wiggle room, and figure you will likely spend more than you thought at first.
Consider your Cabinets
Some remodelers, who may have a comprehensive idea of their final product, overlook the kitchen cabinet’s importance. The kitchen cabinets determine the room’s overall feel and can influence which appliances, counters, and flooring may fit your needs.
The finish and tones of your cabinetry will also affect the room. If you make the mistake of purchasing cheap units here, your entire overhaul can suffer. A little extra money goes a long way, as you often get what you pay for. High-quality hardwoods, soft-close hardware, and dovetail drawers with dependable joinery should be prerequisites for your kitchen cabinets. No matter what style of kitchen you target, from traditional to modern, those cabinets play a significant role.
Choose a Good Contractor
A contractor is like the director of a movie. You may have a well-written script, quality actors, and the right filming equipment, but you need someone to put it all together. Good contractors will look at each stage of the renovation with a fine-toothed comb and ensure that no detail is overlooked.
Checking online reputations or hearing positive reports from friends and neighbors are some ways to assess contractors’ backgrounds. They will also work with your vision and try to make recommendations sparingly so that your end product is the one you signed up to create.
Don’t Take Shortcuts on the Big Items
There are certain shortcuts that many people make in remodels to save money. However, try not to skimp on essential items, such as appliances, cabinets, and lighting. Appliances are made today to last years, and there are many variations and looks to fit any kitchen style.
You do not want to quickly experience a problem with a device that you use all the time, like stoves, refrigerators, and dishwashers. Kitchen cabinets, similarly, should be able to withstand daily abuse and continuous opening and closing of drawers and doors. Lighting comes in a wide variety of quality and pricing: it is best to err on the more expensive side, so you install exceptional components.
Don’t Ignore the Backsplash
While many kitchen renovators focus on the big pieces, they sometimes overlook minor areas such as backsplashes. The backsplash is a chance for you to infuse your style and can change your entire kitchen’s mood. There are many affordable tile options and DIY backsplash projects that you can complete quickly and within your budget.
Maximize the Space That You Have
As you work on your remodel, consider all of the space available. Is there room for extra shelving? Can you customize cabinets to fit into tight corners and optimize counter space?
Frequently, remodelers neglect to use the entire kitchen layout efficiently. Even if you have a compact kitchen, there are many tricks to expanding storage and space. Whether it means installing racks and open shelving in unexpected places in the room, or hanging pots and pans throughout the kitchen, there are ways to make your area more efficient.
Conclusion
Kitchen renovations can seem overwhelming, and people make mistakes. Try to avoid these most common errors by planning ahead, insisting on quality when it counts, and relying on professionals to help. The result can be a kitchen that you can be proud of and one where you will be happy to spend a lot of time.
ABOUT WALCRAFT CABINETRY
Walcraft Cabinetry began years ago after our founder realized through our home building business how effective a career opportunity and the right environment can be in transforming lives. We do not exist simply to sell cabinets and turn profits; rather we exist to create opportunities so that lives can be turned around.