Designing your dream kitchen will be an thrilling renovation challenge that will contain pulling down partitions, and deciding on all the things from flooring to backsplashes to home equipment. It’s normally a enjoyable however advanced course of with many elements; you possibly can simply overlook particulars that may end up in main issues down the road—and will trigger you to go over finances. So, we spoke with 9 specialists, together with architects, designers, and flooring professionals to seek out the kitchen renovation errors it’s best to keep away from. Scroll down for 13 of their absolute deal breakers.
Failing to plan
Based on Michael Menn, architect, homebuilder, and residential remodeler in Northbrook, Illinois, the largest mistake that the majority householders make throughout a kitchen renovation is failing to plan correctly. A profitable kitchen transform requires an finish aim and imaginative and prescient. Menn explains that he’s not speaking a couple of fairly image of what you need the kitchen to appear like. “Determine what your life—and your loved ones’s life—will appear like on this new area, as a result of the kitchen should carry out to [meet] these ends.”
Underestimating the associated fee
Along with planning, Menn says failing to create an correct finances is one other large mistake. “No matter you assume you need to spend, you’ll spend extra, so have a 15 to twenty % contingency,” he warns. “Take the time and do as a lot analysis as doable on flooring, counter tops, cabinetry, lighting, equipment, home equipment, etcetera, since most individuals rush when making these selections.”
Selecting home equipment after cabinetry
Actual property dealer Egypt Sherrod, one of many hosts of HGTV’s new present, Married to Real Estate, tells us it’s a mistake to decide on your home equipment after the cabinetry has already been put in. As she explains, “With regards to designing a kitchen, measurements are essential, and a one-to-two-inch distinction could make or break an installment.” So, it’s worthwhile to know your equipment measurements earlier than the cupboard specs are made. Sherrod provides, “This enables for the specs of the home equipment to be correctly considered when laying all the things out.”
Putting in cupboards earlier than flooring
The order of set up can be vital because it pertains to your cabinetry and flooring, and Paul Henthorn, proprietor of Slaughterbeck Floors in Campbell, California, recommends putting in the flooring after the cabinetry when doable. “If cupboards are put in on high of a hardwood ground, there are at the very least two potential issues,” he explains. “The ground loses the power to develop and contract, making cupping or peaking extra of a actuality, and it makes it very arduous to take away the ground with out damaging cupboards, ought to it should be changed or repaired.” Additionally, he says that putting in the flooring after cupboards additionally minimizes the danger that the flooring can be broken from the cupboard set up.
Selecting the incorrect flooring
If you happen to plan to make use of hardwood flooring in your new kitchen, Henthorn stresses that the wooden choice is essential. “Choose wooden that’s handled with the correct end; a pre-finished sealed hardwood is an effective alternative.” He additionally mentions that hardwood will be slippery, whereas a textured end like hand-scraped, distressed, or reclaimed wooden might help present extra traction whereas additionally protecting up harm from kitchen put on and tear. He recommends deciding on a wooden with “a excessive Janka hardness score—1500+—comparable to hickory, so it will possibly stand up to frequent use and drops whereas minimizing harm.”
Henthorn additionally says the kitchen is essentially the most accident-prone space in the home, so it’s vital to guard the areas the place slips are most definitely to occur. “Use rugs or pads in entrance of the fridge, sink, dishwasher, and pantry.”
What about cork flooring? Henthorn explains that cork is mostly utilized in kitchens, since it’s mushy, sound absorbing, and inexperienced. “Nonetheless, cork does simply fade within the solar, so you might need to contemplate the solar publicity,” he warns.
Ignoring the kitchen triangle
No matter how trendy your kitchen appears, Sherrod says it received’t be purposeful in case your key home equipment are too far-off from one another. “Ideally, it’s best to create a chef’s triangle between your range, sink, and fridge, in order that they’re all inside just a few toes from each other,” she says. “Putting in these three main work parts shut to one another—however not too shut—makes the kitchen extra environment friendly and simpler to make use of, whereas slicing down on pointless steps.”
Improperly wiring kitchen retailers
There’s additionally a security mistake it’s best to keep away from when designing or redesigning a kitchen: improperly wiring your whole kitchen retailers to fifteen amp breakers, based on builder Mike Jackson, one other one of many hosts of HGTV’s Married to Real Estate. “Kitchens ought to have at the very least two to a few accessible retailers on devoted 20 amp retailers—and ideally, all the kitchen counter retailers must be on a devoted 20 amp outlet,” he explains. “These retailers must be on an Arc fault and floor fault circuit protector to forestall electrical fires or accidents.”
Looking for on-line offers for essential gadgets
Pamela O’Brien, principal designer at Pamela Hope Designs, in Houston, warns in opposition to in search of bargains on-line because it pertains to essential gadgets like plumbing and home equipment.
