5 Common Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes
Planning a remodel of your kitchen or bathroom is exciting – you’re finally going to have the room of your dreams! But if you’ve ever talked to anyone who’s remodeled, they’ve probably said they loved the results, but that they would have done something differently. Since there are so many factors to consider during a remodel, it’s easy to overlook an important detail – or to get so caught up in the details that you don’t see the whole picture.
Although our team will guide you through your remodel, there are some things you may want to think about before your project begins. Putting careful thought into everything you’d like, space considerations, functional concerns, and the like, will help you have the best results possible. Then when someone asks you how your remodel went, you can answer, “I wouldn’t change a thing!”
Here are some of the most common mistakes people say they’ve made with their kitchen and bathroom remodeling:
- DIY Remodeling
There are a lot of articles you’ll find on the internet talking about how easy it is to remodel areas of your home yourself, but when it comes to remodeling the kitchen or bathroom, it’s best to have it done by a professional. There are a number of things that can go wrong when working on kitchen and bathroom remodels, especially when it comes to plumbing. A professional will know how best to approach everything in order to avoid common mistakes DIY remodelers run into.Professional remodelers have extensive experience handling all the aspects of design and installation, so your project will be completed in less time and generally with much better results than if you attempted it yourself. Since remodeling can be expensive and time-consuming, it’s worth it to make sure it’s done right the first time. The last thing anyone wants is to try a DIY remodel only to have to hire a professional to come in and fix things that weren’t installed properly or that didn’t come out as planned. - Putting form over function
While you’re planning your dream kitchen or bathroom, it’s natural to put a lot of attention into how everything will look when it’s finished. However, be careful not to prioritize aesthetics over having a fully functional space. You’ll be using your space daily, so it’s important to make sure that everything functions in a way that works for your lifestyle.For example, good kitchen design focuses on work zones. To make food prep convenient, the stove, refrigerator, and counter space should all be in close proximity with each other. It may look nice to have your refrigerator on the other side of the kitchen, but you’ll quickly find that it becomes inconvenient while cooking. Another common mistake is not thinking about which way the cupboard or appliance doors open, which could be particularly frustrating! Take the time to think about how everything works together, how to make your space more convenient and efficient – and you’ll have an excellent basis for planning all the aesthetic features you want. - Not adding enough counter space or cabinet space
One very common mistake many people make with remodels is not adding in enough counter or storage space. This can be a problem for bathrooms, as well as kitchens. After spending the time and money on your remodel, it can be depressing to realize that you just don’t have the space you need! Too much counter or cabinet space is rarely a problem, but too little is.Think about what you would like to keep on your counters, how you plan to use them, how much workspace you’ll need, and whether your current cupboard space is sufficient. If you like to cook and entertain, you may want to opt for more counter space than you have currently, or a kitchen island. If you currently keep a lot of small appliances on the counter but would prefer to store them, consider expanding your cabinetry or switching your current cabinetry out for ones with a deeper depth. - Choosing the wrong materials
When choosing materials for your remodel, it’s important to keep in mind that some of them will work better than others, depending on where they’re used. For example, you may love the idea of marble kitchen countertops. However, marble tends to be fairly soft, so it can scratch and scuff easily in the kitchen. It’s also a porous stone that can be prone to staining. As much as you enjoy the appearance of marble, you may be unhappy with it in your kitchen!Before settling for a single material you love the look of, do a little research. Our team is always happy to explain the differences between them, where they can be used, maintenance, and more! Sometimes there are better options for your lifestyle – and sometimes there are more durable materials available that look very similar (as is the case with marble vs. quartz!) - Going big with the latest trends
It might be tempting to have your kitchen remodeled in line with all the latest trends, but this can lead to the room feeling outdated in the future. Some trends disappear from the scene as quickly as they appeared, like kitchen desks or microwaves installed above the range. The safest bet is to utilize timeless design ideas that will keep their appeal and value for years to come. Not only will this provide lasting enjoyment and satisfaction, but it will also make your home more appealing to buyers should you decide to sell it one day.
As experienced kitchen and bathroom remodelers, we can help you avoid these and other common pitfalls to ensure your new space fits your desires, needs, lifestyle, and budget. Contact us today to get started on your project!