Renovating your kitchen can be a costly endeavor for homeowners. However, it proves to be a worthy investment because it will last for years to come and can increase the value of your home when done correctly.
There are certain things to be mindful of and common mistakes to avoid when embarking on your kitchen renovation journey. Preparing and planning will make your time, energy, and money well worth it and alleviate any stress or overwhelm in the process.
Read on to learn more about what to avoid the next time you renovate your kitchen.
While painting walls and adding a few minor upgrades to your kitchen may sound simple enough to the DIYer hobbyist or raving HGTV fan, it is wise to consult with a kitchen design expert before starting your remodeling project. Making mistakes could prove costly and time-consuming when attempting to remodel yourself.
We also know that there is a lot that homeowners can do these days with the help of YouTube or Pinterest. However, unless you are a general contractor, you must work with a licensed professional to address all plumbing, electrical, and structural plans. This is why we consult with NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) as a resource for finding professional remodelers for all of our Custom Kitchen projects.
Did you know our consultants at Custom Kitchens are all NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) Certified Kitchen Designers? We can help you transform your kitchen by assisting you with fine-tuning your renovation plans, offering ideas, and guiding you in the right direction from start to finish. You can check out all of the services we provide here.
One of the most common complaints homeowners have is lack of storage, so it’s a good idea to prioritize this when planning the design of your new kitchen. You can’t expect to work efficiently in a kitchen without a counter or storage space. Just like you need space to prepare your meals, you need a place to store all your kitchen appliances and tools.
To optimize your kitchen storage space, we suggest you not skimp on simple features such as lazy susans with adjustable rotating shelving, LeMans pull-out blind corner shelving, and Magic Corner II for additional storage.
Speak with one of our design experts to see if they have any creative ideas up their sleeve for making the most of the space you have. Our expert designers have decades of experience in universal design, which means they can advise you on the best way to include storage space customized to you and your family’s needs, now and in the future.
When planning your renovation project, you want to prioritize your kitchen's busiest areas: the stove, the sink, and the refrigerator. From a design perspective, you want to ensure your major work areas and appliances are in an efficient location concerning one another. We refer to this as the “work triangle.”
Before you remodel, you’ll want to protect adjacent rooms and surfaces from dust, debris, and paint splatter. This helps save you time and headaches to clean up after everything is complete. You can opt for a “zipper wall” or “zipper door” to keep dust out of other rooms or make your own with plastic sheeting or spring-loaded poles.
Don’t forget about protecting your floors. You can create singular pathways to and from the restroom to the renovated area. If you have carpet, you can cover it with cling wrap. It’s also a good idea to buy shoe guards for the workers in your home because shoes and boots tend to track dust.
If you’re doing a complete kitchen renovation, you’ll want to avoid choosing appliances last to prevent costly mistakes. Instead, you want to select your major appliances like your refrigerator and dishwasher first to ensure they will fit with your cabinetry and countertops. By choosing appliances first, you are also enabling your contractor to prepare for power and plumbing needs.
We hope you gleaned some lessons from this article on what to avoid in your next kitchen renovation for your Eastbay Home, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert kitchen design guidance on your next project!
If you have more specific questions regarding products, styles, no-fuss design, or you’d like to set up a consultation to discuss your project, please contact us at Custom Kitchens. We are an award-winning design/build company that has been in business since 1950, and we would love to be your one-stop-shop for your custom remodeling needs.
