Kitchen Remodels are a substantial financial commitment and can quickly go up to thousands of dollars if you’re going for a premium kitchen design. Since the whole project can suck in loads of cash, it is essential that you do things right to end up delighted with the project once it is done.

Unfortunately, since most people attempt to remodel their kitchen on their own, without using expert help, they make a lot of impractical decisions and end up getting something they never wanted in the first place. To prevent you from making the same mistakes, we have put together this list of 7 kitchen remodeling mistakes that can be easily avoided. Read on to find out what these seven mistakes are.

1. Doing everything on your own.

The DIY approach can indeed save you cost, but doing everything on your own is simply not the best option. Designing and building a kitchen requires expertise, and unless you are a professional in the industry, you are prone to make mistakes.

Remodeling your kitchen can cost you more time and money than any other part of the house, so you need to be very smart with all your decisions. If you want to plan the project on your own, go for it. But make sure that you’re always consulting an expert on all decisions you make. This will not only give you a second opinion on your plans, but they will also be able to point out any mistakes or points you’ve missed.

Besides the planning part, some specialized work such as plumbing or electrical work is too dangerous to be carried out by a newbie. You should hire professionals who can do the job better, in lesser time, and in a much safer way than what you will do on your own.

You can hire remodelling experts, such as AC Remodeling and similar companies, to help design a functional kitchen suitable for your modern lifestyle. These companies employ the right design strategies to accomplish your kitchen’s best aesthetic appeal and functionality.  This way, you can maximize your kitchen space to cook more hearty meals for your family.

2. Wasting space.

If you don’t plan out an optimal way of utilizing the space you have, you may end up wasting a lot of it. This includes all kinds of space, whether it be storage space, countertops, or merely the aisles. 

To avoid this mistake, you need to think carefully about all the tools and equipment that you use and store in the kitchen. Think about what tools will sit on the countertops and require immediate access, and the ones that will be in the storage and will be used less often. You will also want to have enough space around appliances and fixtures such as ovens or the sink so that you can operate them easily without any hassle. Once you have all these factors in mind, you will automatically optimize the use of space.

3. Selecting appliances last.

Most people leave appliances to the last since they only need to be brought in and installed. This is not the best way of carrying out a kitchen remodel. 

Pick your new appliances earlier on instead of putting this off until the very end. Plan the construction of your storage cabinets and countertops with these appliances in mind such that they fit snugly in the spaces allocated to them. 

You can also look up the exact dimensions of the appliances over the internet and then plan things accordingly. This way, you can still delay your purchase while also making sure that there is no misplanning.

Make sure to choose kitchen appliances that’ll not only fit the style and theme of your kitchen but especially the space allotted for it. Before purchasing new ones ensure that you’ve thought through if it’s suited with your floor plan. Moreover, if you’re planning to retain your old kitchen appliances, make sure that they’re working properly and won’t cause fire hazards.

4. Not measuring twice.

This is the silliest yet the most harmful mistake most people make when doing construction or renovation projects of any sort. Not getting the dimensions right or picking things the wrong size can cause many hassles, so make sure you get them right the first time.

Use the right tools to measure the sizes and dimensions and double-check everything before you start the project. Keep a measuring tape handy and get in the habit of measuring every little inch before you make the final calls. Once you’re in, there is a small room for any changes or edits and making any can be costly. 

Even professional kitchen remodelling companies also measure the dimensions of countertops, kitchen shelves, and other important structural elements more than once to ensure proper fit. Keep in mind that it’s better to double-check and be sure than to neglect and regret in the end.

5. Inadequate lighting and ventilation.

Lack of lighting and ventilation can affect the usability of the kitchen a lot. If there isn’t enough lighting, you won’t be comfortable chopping vegetables, preparing meals, or even using your cooking surfaces. The kitchen will look dark and gloomy, and you won’t be able to enjoy this space at all.

There are many unique kitchen lighting ideas for your cooking space. Generally, dome-shaped, flush-mounted, or semi-flush mounted lights are perfect to light up small- to medium-sized kitchens. Use warm white light bulbs in flush-mounted fixtures to create a homey and inviting atmosphere in your kitchen. A slightly red-light hue is also a good option, as it stimulates a good appetite and nice conversation.

Ventilation, on the other hand, is necessary as you’ll need a lot of fresh air when cooking. There will be smoke and odor which you’ll want to remove from the kitchen, or it will escape to other parts of your house. Investing in a decent ventilation system will increase your comfort and improve the working life of your kitchen appliances. It will also keep the temperature in control so that you can enjoy the kitchen experience to its fullest.

6. Prioritizing aesthetics over functionality.

Prioritizing the looks or design over usability can be a big mistake, particularly when it comes to custom kitchen remodeling in Houston. This may lead to a kitchen that looks absolutely beautiful but is a complete hassle to work in.

The rule of thumb is to keep the kitchen triangle in mind. This includes the refrigerator, the stove, and the sink. Arrange all the design elements and other appliances around this triangle to maximize functionality. Also, if at any point you have to make a compromise on the aesthetics for the usability, do not hesitate at all. This will help you in the long run as you will be spending hours in your kitchen and you would not want to be stuck in a kitchen that is not easy to cook or eat in.

7. Going over your budget.

Spending more than you initially planned is probably the biggest worry people have when remodelling any living space. This can be prevented by setting realistic budgets for everything, sticking to the plan on every point, and forecasting any significant deviations from the budget so that you can arrange the funding in time.