Kitchen renovation or remodeling is generally a critical but massive home improvement project. It will change the look and feel of your kitchen and sink lots of cash. It is an essential renovation if you are planning to sell your house because the eyes of many homebuyers are generally trained on the kitchen and the bathroom. If they are impressed by what they see, it is like to factor a lot into their decision on whether to purchase the property.
But kitchen renovations don’t just count for the average homebuyer. If you are looking for the kitchen of your dreams, it is very critical that you get the big things right because if you make any mistakes in the course a renovation, you are literally going to live it for the next few decades. Here are some of the top watch outs to look out for when renovating your kitchen.
Ignoring The Little Stuff
Don’t be too focused on getting that open plan kitchen or kitchen island that you forget to remodel the little stuff in your kitchen such as proper cabinet storage solutions or drawer dividers. The little add-ons will increase the storage and operational efficiency in your kitchens and if you don’t incorporate them in your kitchen remodeling, you are most likely going to do so down the road at a significantly higher cost.
Ignoring Your Kitchen Workflow
When conceptualizing or planning your kitchen remodel, it is important to think about the busiest areas of your kitchens such as the sink, refrigerator and the stove. These areas should be positioned in an efficient location in the kitchen where you can easily access them. They should also be in positions that are relevant to each other. In kitchen design, this concept is called the kitchen “work triangle”. Make sure you design a kitchen with an efficient work triangle.
Going Solo
We all have our fancy ideas on how we want our kitchen remodel to look like but at the end of the day, you must entrust your ideas to a professional kitchen designer. Before you begin the project, hire an expert designer who will transform your lofty ideas into a practical kitchen design given your space and your home’s overall architectural design. Kitchen remodeling professionals are generally more practical because they have worked on numerous kitchen designs and they will be able to help you fine-tune your remodeling ideas and bring it within the realms of the realizable. They can also offer useful tips and suggestions on how you can bring your ideas to life.
Failing To Watch Your Budget
When planning your kitchen remodel, it is important to have a definite budget in mind. You have to decide beforehand the kinds of features that you wish to have in your kitchen renovation project. Create a bucket list and prioritize the most important features. Having a well defined bucket list will keep you within budget and prevent cost overruns. Some aspects of your kitchen remodeling such as new kitchen cabinetry or Rangehood are likely to cost you a lot.
Failing To Look At The Big Picture
You might be focusing on a kitchen remodeling but at the end of the day, the kitchen is part of the bigger house. Whenever you are executing a kitchen renovation project, you have to make sure that the architectural integrity of your home is maintained in the new kitchen. For example, a modern or contemporary kitchen may not necessarily be compatible with a French provincial house design. The new kitchen that you are remodeling must flow with the rest of the house design.
Skimping On Cabinetry
The kitchen cabinetry will occupy an inordinate amount of space and literally define the look and style of your kitchen.
Splurging On Appliances
A kitchen remodeling generally goes hand in hand with new appliances but do you really need those top-of-the-line kitchen appliances? Before you spend your money on new appliances, assess your needs and budget accordingly.
Making Your Kitchen Too Trendy
A kitchen remodeling might provide you with an opportunity to express your tastes and preferences but if you are planning to move out soon, your kitchen remodeling should only be skin deep.