Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen for the first time or have experience, there are certain mistakes that you should try to avoid. You don’t want to end up making costly errors, so read on for some key tips to ensure your remodel goes off without a hitch!
Wasting Space
When remodeling your kitchen cabinets, it is essential to make the most of the space you have. Many people do not take into account the layout and design of their kitchen, resulting in wasted space. This can be particularly true when dealing with small spaces. To make sure that you utilize every inch of available space efficiently, take the following steps:
- Measure and Sketch: Measure your current kitchen cabinet layout as well as any recommended alternative layouts and/or options, then sketch them out on paper or use a 3-D design software program to get a better visual of how each option will look in your space before committing to it.
- Utilize Dead Space: Don’t forget about those corners or other odd angles; with creative storage solutions, even those peculiar spaces can be used for storage without making it feel cramped or cluttered. Pullout shelves can also increase visibility and access to items stored deeper inside cabinets without having to search for them.
- Think Vertically: Vertical spaces are often overlooked but using wall-mounted shelves or upper cabinets is an effective way to create additional storage opportunities and optimize the existing cabinet space you have available in any given area of your kitchen.
- Get Custom Cabinets: If nothing else works, consider customized cabinets designed specifically for the size and shape of your kitchen layout; they allow you more control over design while maximizing every inch of usable space in order to help make sure nothing goes unused during the remodeling process!
Making Aisles Too Tight
When remodeling your kitchen, one common mistake is to make the aisles too tight. Often, this is a result of trying to create more storage or reduce the dimensions of the kitchen overall. Unfortunately, while this might give you extra shelf and cupboard space it restricts movement and can also be unsafe.
Even with one bookstand or island in place, you should allow for 36-42 inches of clearance between the countertop and any other cabinets. If you’re saving space by installing wall-to-wall cabinets, ensure there’s still comfortable maneuverability by planning an aisle that’s 4 feet wide at least.
Not Thinking in 3-d
When planning the layout of your new kitchen, it is important to consider the space in all three dimensions. Many people think about how much countertop space they can have and what types of cabinetry they need, but too often fail to consider depth. Many kitchen cabinets come with standard dimensions and if you don’t plan appropriately, you can end up with a kitchen where everything is cramped and you don’t have enough room to store items efficiently.
Think about how deep items such as dishes, pots, and pans will fit into various cabinets. Will items fit on multiple shelves or just one? Are there items that should be stored near the stove or sink that will require deeper drawers and/or taller cabinets? Consider all these scenarios when looking for your cabinetry.
Another area to consider is storage needed beneath the oven or sink areas. Many times this will involve special-sized cabinets or unusual configurations. It is important to be realistic when planning these areas as space based upon standard sizes probably won’t accommodate your needs. If possible, try installing custom-made drawers that open from either side of an appliance in order to better utilize the space beneath it for storage.
It’s easy to overlook depth in your kitchen remodel design as you focus on larger elements such as style, color scheme and materials; however it’s critical that you also pay attention to how and where everything fits togethers in three dimensions in order to ensure you end up with a luxurious yet efficient working kitchen.
Overloading and Oversizing Islands
When it comes to kitchen remodels, kitchen islands are a focal point and often require special consideration. Whether you’re planning to put in a modest island that can serve as extra storage and counter space, or you’re looking to build a large statement-making feature, there are potential mistakes that should be avoided.
- It’s important to make sure the dimensions of your island make sense in the context of your kitchen. If it’s too wide or tall, it can overpower the space and become more of an obstruction than an asset; if it’s too small, its function may be limited.
- Be sure not to overload your island with features. If you plan on having seating around your island or appliances at opposite ends of its surface area – such as a sink and stove – they can create a sort of “U” shape that takes up room around the perimeter of your kitchen instead of providing additional workspace.
- Before committing to any design elements for the finish look and feel of your island, take into account any traffic flow concerns or ergonomic issues related to smaller details such as handles and convenience outlets on drawers.
When done properly, islands can offer efficient workstations along with aesthetic enhancement; if not approached carefully, however, they could end up being cumbersome inconveniences instead.
Overwhelming a Small Space
Many times homeowners are tempted to fill their kitchen with cabinetry that takes up too much space. This can make the area feel smaller than it really is and can distract from the overall look of the room. To avoid this, consider open cabinets and/or ones that either have vertical design lines or are more shallow in depth.
Additionally, keep a balance of lower and upper cabinets to maximize the space. Use your wall space for tall, narrow cabinets that can house items you don’t use often but need to access quickly. Lastly, skip oversize drawers and opt instead for pull-out trays or a small roll cart which can navigate tight spaces better while providing adequate storage capacity.
Making Changes After the Work Begins
Making changes to your kitchen remodel plan after the work begins is a major mistake. Homeowners often think they can streamline tasks during the renovation process, which can cause a multitude of problems. It can also lead to more costs as you may not be ready for unforeseen costs associated with the renovation.
Even if something seems easy, it’s best not to make adjustments after the work has started. Your contractor will be frustrated with the changes and it could disrupt their timeline and schedule, resulting in delays.
To save time and money, it’s important to review your plans before beginning any remodeling project and make sure all changes are communicated before starting the job.
It’s also best practice to establish a budget for your remodeling project ahead of time so that changes can be discussed and agreed upon from the start—this way you won’t have sticker shock when you see the bill or surprise charges due to last-minute changes at the end of your renovation.
Taking these steps will ensure that all parties are on board with what is expected throughout each phase of your kitchen remodel and leave you feeling prepared when it comes to costs down the line.
Not Planning Enough Storage
When planning you’re remodeling, you want to design your kitchen cabinets to meet all of your family’s needs. This means that you should plan for enough storage space for all of your cooking utensils and food items. Not planning enough storage can lead to having a chaotic kitchen in the long run, which causes a lot of stress during meal prep and clean-up.
Think about what tools or gadgets you use most often and what storage is available nearby when planning your kitchen cabinet layout. Designate cabinet sections according to sizes and grouping like shelves for pots/pans/goblets, drawers for utensils/cutlery, and pull-out shelves for condiments, and herbs & spices racks if needed.
Consider leaving extra space at the top or bottom in case you need more room down the road. Installing drawer dividers can be beneficial if you need further compartmentalization that way everything is organized and easy to locate when needed most. Doing this will save time and hassle when it comes to preparing meals!
It is also wise to ask for professional advice from a reputable kitchen cabinet provider for maximum efficiency.
Forgetting Friends
When remodeling a kitchen, it’s easy to get wrapped up in planning and making sure everything looks perfect. However, one of the most important things to consider is your friends – or that is, storage spaces for your kitchen tools and dishes. Not establishing the proper cabinet features can lead to added stress and wasted time if you’re struggling with an ill-fitted kitchen design.
Single-door cabinets are great for pots, pans, and other items that rarely get used. Single-door cabinets don’t provide as much storage capabilities but they do provide more countertop space due to minimal drawers being needed for opening them; it also doesn’t detract from the aesthetics of the room decor as much as deep drawers have a tendency to do so.
Pullouts or Lazy Susan’s provide better access for everyday items such as utensils or spices and really help clear up floor space due to their ability to fit into corners. These can also modernize any kitchen’s look with their smooth swivel action plus make use of dead spaces by allowing you access on either side of a cabinet door allowing you to store multiple items in half the space required otherwise if they were stored separately elsewhere in the kitchen.
Adding sufficient drawer organizers not only adds another layer of aesthetic appeal but makes accessing or organizing small tools or ingredients needs a breeze; built-in organizers such as spice racks can be placed behind doors reducing clutter while making sure that all your ingredients are ready when needed. The design possibilities are limitless however, whatever you decide on don’t forget about building outside-the-box strategies or planning redundantly when looking at cabinetry solutions during your next kitchen remodel—they can save you headaches down the line!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common kitchen cabinet mistakes to avoid during a remodel?
Some common kitchen cabinet mistakes to avoid during a remodel include choosing the wrong size cabinets, not considering the layout of the space, and not considering the height of the cabinets.
What should I consider when choosing the size of my kitchen cabinets?
When choosing the size of your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to consider the size of the room and any appliances you plan to install. Additionally, you should measure the height of the ceiling to ensure that the cabinets will fit.
What are some other mistakes to avoid when remodeling my kitchen cabinets?
Other mistakes to avoid when remodeling your kitchen cabinets include not having enough storage space, not taking into account the style of the home, and not considering the budget.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, your kitchen is a reflection of you and your tastes. Putting together a perfect kitchen remodel requires you to exercise thought and precision in every step from choosing materials to designing cabinetry.
Though it may be tempting to rush through these decisions or take shortcuts, it’s important to consider quality over cost and put careful thought into each step of your remodel. Failing to do so can end up costing you time and money down the road, so it’s best to plan wisely.
By avoiding common kitchen cabinet mistakes, such as incorrect measurements, unpainted wooden cabinets, and mismatched hardware, you can ensure that your kitchen looks beautiful for years to come. Given the importance of any kitchen addition or change, taking the time now to properly plan and design is essential for a successful and lasting result.
