In terms of resale value, kitchen remodels are among the best home improvements, according to HGTV. Even if you plan to stay in your home, however, a project like this increases safety, convenience, and enjoyment of your home. For the best possible kitchen remodel, steer clear of these six common mistakes.
1. Failing to Update Appliances
Upgrading appliances makes your kitchen remodel feel fresh.
Not only do older appliances date the appearance of your home, but they also consume unnecessary energy and take longer to perform their associated tasks. Replacing countertops and installing new cabinets all make sense for a kitchen remodel, but replace those old appliances, as well.
2. Neglecting Electrical and Plumbing Upgrades
You love the quaint charm of your 1890 Victorian or 1924 arts and crafts bungalow. However, the electrical wiring and plumbing infrastructure installed when the house was first built no longer meets modern building codes.
Hire a plumber and an electrician to evaluate the condition of those systems. In addition to rewriting the house or replacing the pipes, you might also consider adding electrical outlets for the toaster oven, coffee maker, and other countertop appliances on which you rely during meal preparation.
3. Sticking with Basic Lighting
The bare bulb or builder-basic fixture that came with your kitchen might not provide sufficient illumination for your culinary endeavors. Adequate lighting makes kitchen accidents less likely and creates a welcoming atmosphere in the space. Focus on the quality of fixtures and bulbs, or consider investing in under-cabinet or track lighting to improve the ambiance.
4. Refusing to Compromise
Sometimes the budget won’t accommodate everything you want in a kitchen remodel. However, compromise doesn’t always constitute a bad thing. Creating a single bold focal point with mosaic tile backsplash, an elegant island, or other feature can often create more impact than a kitchen full of neat gadgets and high-end materials.
Look for alternatives to the expensive items you don’t really need. For example, Better Homes and Gardens magazine features a kitchen in which the homeowner installed bead board to lend dimension and texture to their existing cabinets rather than installing brand new ones.
5. Forgetting to Incorporate Practical Storage
A place for everything…
Storage solutions in a kitchen should reflect the ways in which the homeowners use the space. If you love to bake, for instance, you might want to install vertical slots in your cabinetry to provide easy storage for cookie sheets, cutting boards, and baking trays. Homeowners often find success by using strategic planning and design to create their dream kitchen.
Look for ways to maximize storage. Maybe you can install a lazy susan in a cupboard or incorporate an island with built-in storage. Consider adding a larger pantry if you’re always running out of space to store canned goods and other foods. Think about your current frustrations, then address them with your kitchen remodel.
6. Leaving Out Your Personality
Do you love bright colors and bold patterns? Hang colorful curtains over the kitchen window and install a shelf to display your favorite themed dishware. Are you enamored of industrial accents? Select a polished concrete countertop over the in-vogue granite and hang metal light fixtures instead of recessed bulbs.
Stay true to the period and style in which your home was built, but incorporate your personal style and aesthetic. Make it yours so you’ll feel comfortable and inspired every time you pull out your recipe book.
A kitchen remodel might take time and effort, but you can avoid disappointment if you stay mindful of the above mistakes. If you want to learn more about how to avoid common kitchen remodel mistakes or if you’re ready to obtain your contractor’s license, start our course now.