Written by: Colyn Emery

Are you looking to remodel your kitchen?

The kitchen is the heart of your home.

Being one of the busiest parts of the house, you will want to keep it in the best condition possible, hence frequent updates. A kitchen remodel may also come in handy, especially if you wish to give it a facelift for improved functionality.

There's more to a kitchen remodel than bringing down a few walls and adding a new light fixture though. 

A kitchen remodelling project will not only require a solid plan but may also take lots of time to complete. You don’t want to cut corners or make costly mistakes with this project, one of the reasons you need to plan well.

Discussed below are 9 common mistakes many homeowners make when remodelling their kitchen. Be sure to avoid these for the best results.

Mistake #1 - Designing A Dysfunctional Kitchen

As beautiful as you may wish your kitchen to be, it's important for it to be functional in all aspects.

This essentially comes down to the amount of space and layout of the kitchen. Factors such as size and direction of doors, available space, cabinets, appliances, fridges, and ovens ought to be considered when designing the kitchen layout.

You don’t want your kitchen to appear cramped simply because the door openings are too narrow, or doors open in the wrong direction.

Remember to consult professionals in the plumbing and gas departments when planning your remodel.

Moving appliances and fixtures around will require pipe reroutes and the experts at On Tap Plumbing and Gas suggest asking skilled workers for options that will work with your design. “You don’t want to call for repair services right after finishing your project. Rerouting pipes already costs a pretty penny so you want them to work perfectly from the start. Consulting a plumber at the design stage, especially if you’re moving a sink or two, will save you a lot of trouble later.”

Mistake #2 - Impetuous Design Decision

Although most materials will seem appealing in the showroom, they might not in an actual kitchen space.

These include countertop, flooring, and even wall materials. Do not invest in something you haven’t tried before until you have tested then in your home. Take small samples of these to your kitchen to see how they'll blend.

Don’t make design decisions based on an impulse.

Mistake #3 - Wasted Space

Although big and spacious kitchens are considered a luxury, you don’t want to waste space in the same.

The kitchen needs to be compact enough to ensure anyone preparing meals (or working in the kitchen) doesn’t have to walk miles to make a good meal. While it shouldn’t be cramped, dead space isn’t recommended in the kitchen either. Proper planning is required to ensure the kitchen flows naturally, and everything is within reach when needed.

According to interior designer Gary Hamer, there are ways to create space without having to tear something down. He says, “Soft tones like off-white with an eggshell finish can make any kitchen brighter, more spacious, and extra inviting. If you want visual interest, you can add a different color to select items in your kitchen, like the shelves or the island.”

Mistake #4 - Forgetting About Family and Friends

As mentioned earlier, the kitchen is the heart of every home or family. People will want to gather in the kitchen as meals are being prepared.

Your friends, family, and even the kids will want to spend some time with you in the kitchen too. Children love doing their homework on the island.

That said, you shouldn’t forget that the kitchen will host more than just two people. Consider extra space to accommodate them too.

Mistake #5 - Making Significant Changes Midstream

Always stick to the original plan, and make any necessary changes before the work begins. Introducing changes deep after work has begun will only cause delays, disruptions, and put a dent in the budget.

Take time to review the plan and have everything ready before the contractor starts work.

Mistake #6 - An Overwhelmed Kitchen

Islands don’t make any sense in small kitchens. If you have to have one, you should then consider a small peninsula instead.

Space is essential in every kitchen, do not overwhelm the kitchen with features and appliances that require tons of space. Be sure to try layout options that will go well with the available space.

Mistake #7 - Lack of proper storage

You'll need a good storage plan for your kitchen. It wouldn’t be wise to come up with storage ideas and options as construction continues.

Stick to a solid storage plan for the remodel to come out well. You can choose between shelves, cabinets, open storage, or a combination of the same for the best results.

Was storage one of the reasons for the remodel? If it is, you'll then need a solid plan for the same.

Looking for cost-effective, efficient storage? Check out the kitchen storage range from Häfele Home here!

Mistake #8 - Tight Aisles

Kitchens with tight aisles are hard to work in. It is almost impossible for two cooks to work in such a kitchen without bumping into each other. It would therefore be best to ensure the kitchen aisles are wide enough to accommodate kitchen appliances and multiple cooks.

The ideal kitchen aisles should be at least 42 inches wide. This should be the minimum space between appliances, walls, and kitchen islands. Consider the proper placement of range and sinks in the kitchen for easier flow.

The plumbing experts at Domain Metal Roofing & Plumbing are advocates of measuring everything in your kitchen when planning a remodel. According to them, “We’ve had to deal with dishwasher hoses that won’t drain properly because the machine was crammed against it. Make sure to measure even the appliances and to leave enough breathing room around them when planning your new kitchen.”

Mistake #9 - Oversize and Overloaded Kitchen Islands

Kitchen islands are the centrepiece in every kitchen. A supersized island (10 feet and longer), while attractive, makes it harder for one to walk around thus making the kitchen impractical.

Splitting the island into two however makes it easier to grab items from the other side, hence a better option.

Aside from this, you don’t want to overstuff the islands with all sorts of items, including baskets and dinnerware. Make sure storage cabinets do not extend beyond the rim of the countertop either.

About the author:

Colyn Emery is a freelance writer and content creator. Always eager to learn, her goal is to create content that people actually want to read (which is no mean feat in this day and age). A huge animal lover, she dreams of owning a Cavoodle named Atlas one day.