9 Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes
Avoid These 9 Mistakes When Renovating Your Dream Kitchen
Creating your dream kitchen is a super exciting renovation project that involves lots of decision-making, from tearing down walls to choosing everything from the floors to the backsplashes to the appliances.
It's a fun process but can also be pretty complicated, with many different parts to consider. If you're not careful, you might miss some critical details that can cause significant issues and even cause you to go over budget.
A kitchen renovation is a big project that requires careful planning and takes time to plan and execute, so planning ahead is super important to avoid wasting money and making avoidable mistakes when you're in the build phase.
To help you out, we caught up with our Managing Director, Rhys Armstrong, for his expert advice and the pitfalls he has seen in his decades of experience renovating kitchens across the Central Coast and Newcastle regions.
Here are Ryhs' 9 common Kitchen Renovation mistakes. So, steer clear of these mistakes for the best results!
1. Underestimating The Cost
Rhys points out that aside from planning ( and we will get to planning shortly!), not creating a proper budget is a big no-no. He advises that whatever you think you'll spend, you should add 15 to 20 percent more to that budget to be safe. It's essential to take your time and research things like flooring, countertops, cabinets, lighting, accessories, appliances, and all that good stuff since many people tend to rush these decisions.
Pro Tip: Read our article How Much Does A Kitchen Renovation Cost In 2023? for a guide on the cost of renovating a budget kitchen to a high-end kitchen and the factors influencing the final price.
2. Not Being Adequately Prepared
When it comes to remodelling your kitchen, it's super important to have a clear vision of how you want it to look once it's done. You'll want to ensure that the design fits well with the existing style of your home and how often and how many people you'll be cooking for.
If you're looking for inspiration, check out Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for great ideas. Creating a mood board is also a fantastic way to gather all your style ideas, colours, tiles, tapware, cabinetry, appliances and materials in one place.
Doing your research is crucial, so take some time to read up on things like expected budgets, timelines for a kitchen renovation, and the different stages of the renovation process. This way, you'll be fully prepared and know what you're getting into.
Remember, having a solid plan is key to any successful kitchen renovation. It doesn't matter how big or small your space is; having a plan will help you stay on track and avoid costly mistakes!
Pro Tip: If you're unsure about the latest kitchen style and trends, get inspired by our article Australian Kitchen Design Trends For 2023.
3. Getting The design Wrong
Each kitchen renovation will be unique and have different requirements, depending on who uses the space. Families, for example, will need lots of storage for crockery, cups and cutlery and a large fridge and pantry or even a butler's pantry. On the other hand, empty nesters may require a more streamlined design with easy access to appliances or more space to move around freely and quickly access frequently used items.
Consider what you need and want in the space when planning your kitchen renovation. Do you want a big farmhouse sink or an oversized island? Are you looking for a large walk-in pantry with plenty of space for espresso machines, air fryers and a Thermomix? Once you have a good idea of what you're after, you can start playing around with different layouts using masking tape (or, better yet, 3D kitchen design software with your kitchen designer!) to see how everything will fit together.
Pro Tip: Rhys says, "At this stage, it's also important to consider your electrical needs, including things like ceiling lighting, strip lighting under the cabinets, exhaust fans, appliances, home automation tech, and most importantly, power points. Remember, the layout and design of your kitchen are entirely up to you, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution!
4. Neglecting the Kitchen Triangle
No matter how pretty your kitchen is, if the essential appliances are too far apart, your kitchen won't be practical to use. According to Rhys, creating a "chef's triangle" between the stove, sink, and refrigerator is key. Keeping these three main work elements close to each other but not too close (all within a few steps) makes the kitchen more efficient, saves you unnecessary steps, and makes cooking and cleaning easier.
Kitchen Triangle
5. Not Having Enough Storage Space in Your Kitchen
Storage space is crucial in every part of your home, but it's imperative in the kitchen. You don't want your kitchen benchtops cluttered with appliances, dishes, and utensils, making cooking and preparing meals frustrating and time-consuming. Therefore, planning and creating enough storage space in your kitchen is essential to keep everything organised and within reach.
When designing your kitchen, consider your storage needs, such as putting pots and pans, plates and cutlery in drawers, and use drawer dividers to keep everything organised. Get creative with your drawers; pull-out shelving can be a great way to store canned goods and spices.
A combination of cabinets, drawers, and shelves can provide ample storage space. Use innovative storage solutions, such as corner cabinets, pull-out pantry shelves, lazy susans and hanging racks to maximise your storage space. By planning ahead and incorporating enough storage space into your kitchen design, you can keep your kitchen clutter-free and functional.
Pro Tip: Rhys highly recommends a butler pantry, space permitting, of course. A butler's pantry can provide that extra storage space for kitchen appliances, dishware, and other kitchen items freeing up space in the main kitchen area and helping keep the kitchen organised and clutter-free. It's also a great place to store all your bulk food items, canned goods, rice, pasta etc., on open shelves giving you a good visual of what food you have on hand.
6. Choosing Cheap Tapware & Drawer Hardware
When it comes to kitchens, opting for cheap fixtures can lead to wear and tear in as little as 6-12 months, especially in households with a large number of members. Since kitchen fixtures are frequently touched and handled by all household members multiple times daily, investing in quality products is smart.
It's best to select high-quality finishes for tapware, fixtures and drawer hardware that fit within your budget. We suggest choosing well-known brands and items from reputable hardware stores such as Reece and Blum. Also, take the time to measure twice and consider practicality to ensure that your fixtures are functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Pro Tip: Smart mixer taps with integrated measuring cup functions, instant boiling or chilled water and soda water out of the tap are becoming the must-have splurge item of 2023!
7. Not Enough Clearance
Having insufficient clearance can cause issues in your kitchen. You'll probably have appliances on your benchtop, such as air fryers, espresso coffee machines, or fancy stand mixers like a KitchenAid. To ensure you have sufficient space for your appliances, it's recommended to leave at least 500mm to 650mm of height between the benchtop and the bottom of the upper cabinets.
It's important to consider other types of clearance as well. Rhys advises making sure that opening the dishwasher won't block access to the sink and that opening the oven won't disrupt the flow of your kitchen. Furthermore, cabinet doors opening against each other can cause clearance issues, which can affect the functionality of your kitchen.
8. Poor Ventilation
Poor ventilation in kitchens can cause many problems that are often overlooked during renovations. Without adequate ventilation in the form of an appropriately sized range hood for the size of your cooktop, you will not remove smoke, steam, grease, and other airborne particles that result from cooking. These particles can accumulate on surfaces in your kitchen, making it challenging to keep your kitchen clean and fresh.
Additionally, a good range hood can help to improve indoor air quality by filtering out harmful pollutants and odours. It can also remove excess moisture from building up in your kitchen, preventing mould growth and other problems.
The growth of mould and mildew can lead to the degradation of paint, grout, and metal and even adverse health side effects.
Prioritising ventilation in your kitchen renovation can help maintain the health and longevity of your space. Installing an appropriately sized exhaust fan and range hood is essential to ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen. Additionally, it's beneficial to have a window that you can crack open to let fresh air in, bringing natural light and fresh air into your kitchen.
9. Forgetting About Family and Friends
The kitchen serves as the central hub of any household, where members gather around as delicious meals are being prepared. It's common for friends, family, and the kids to spend time in the kitchen. The latter often finds it a great spot to complete their homework on the island bench while you're cooking dinner.
It's important to remember that the kitchen may need to accommodate more than just a few people, particularly if you love entertaining. Therefore, planning for additional space is advisable to ensure everyone can comfortably enjoy the kitchen experience.
Envision Kitchens prides itself on being the Central Coast and Newcastles' Kitchen Renovation Specialists.
We love designing and building kitchens using new and innovative products to turn your kitchen dream into reality. We give each customer their own personal and custom Kitchen Renovation to their needs and taste! Envision Kitchens takes the time to get to know our customers personally to provide and suggest the best products to achieve your dream kitchen.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions about installing a new kitchen or kitchen renovation.