Most people understand how much time and money goes into a home renovation. What might seem like a minor hiccup during the process may end up costing you thousands of dollars later.
Below are some of the biggest mistakes people have made when building or renovating a kitchen. Read this before you renovate!
Forgetting Your Workflow
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When planning your remodel, remember your kitchen’s busiest areas: the sink, stove, and refrigerator. Make sure these areas and appliances are in an efficient location that is relevant to one another. Many designers refer to this as the kitchen “work triangle”.
Buying Without Trying
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Requesting samples is an absolute must before you order anything, particularly if you’re shopping online. Seeing samples in-store helps, but ideally you need to see your chosen finishes at home. Even textures can appear quite different depending on the surrounding colours and lighting.
Too Much Open Shelving
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Open shelving is gorgeous. But be honest with yourself: Do you want every novelty mug and bottle of generic-brand ketchup on display?
Choosing Appliances Last
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One of the biggest kitchen renovation mistakes is choosing your appliances last. It may be more fun to plan the cabinet layout and countertops first, but always choose your major appliances first and then build the plan around those dimensions. You’ll be disappointed if you order cabinets and then find out that you only have room for a 24-inch-wide oven.
Choosing Cabinets Based on Price Not Quality
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It’s true that cabinets are the most expensive component of your remodel. Remember that they need to withstand daily wear and tear and inexpensive cabinets will affect the overall appearance of your kitchen remodel.
Installing Flooring Before Anything Else
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Installing your floor toward the beginning of the renovation is a major mistake, according to Dave Murphy, National Technical Director at N-Hance Wood Refinishing. “With large items coming in and out of the house and increased foot traffic,” he says, “it’s best the wear and tear and scratches are made to the existing floor rather than the new one.”
Choosing the Wrong Countertop Material
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Be sure to choose a durable countertop material that works with your lifestyle. Also, many homeowners love the look of granite or quartz but don’t realize that the surface is very cold to lean on. Avoid being unhappy with the cold by adding a countertop heating mat under the overhang where you commonly sit.
Assuming All Contractors Are the Same
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Before you hire a kitchen remodeling company, you need to spend some time researching and comparing contractors. Don’t just go with the first – or cheapest – one you come across. Consumer Reports found that nearly 20 percent of general contractors don’t have insurance or a state license – and almost 10 percent don’t have either. Be strategic about the company you work with.
Placing a Dishwasher Far from the Sink
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Planning the layout of your kitchen can save you a lot of headaches. It’s a hassle if the dishwasher is too far from the sink and may also mean a lot of wet floors when carrying dishes across the room.
Can you think of any other kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid? Share them with us on Instagram or Facebook!
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