Renovating your kitchen is an excellent home improvement project that frequently yields a high return on investment. Ultimately, you should have a kitchen that looks better, simplifies your life, and you enjoy using every day. However, mistakes or oversights during remodeling can significantly impact the outcome, and you want to avoid being disappointed with the final result.  To ensure you love your new kitchen, here are some common remodeling mistakes to avoid:

Insufficient Illumination

Every kitchen remodel needs three main types of lighting:

• Task lighting
• Accent lighting
• General illumination

Activities like chopping vegetables, preparing meals, and using cooking surfaces become challenging without  proper task lighting. Poor accent lighting can also leave your kitchen looking dark or dull.

General illumination is crucial for everyone using the kitchen. When planning your lighting, consider the impact of natural light from windows. A mix of fluorescent or LED ceiling, strip, pendant, and track lighting can effectively serve various purposes.

Choosing Not to Hire a Contractor

You might believe a DIY approach to a kitchen remodel is viable. However, many aspects require professional expertise to be executed correctly, such as plumbing, electrical, and gas work, permit applications, project management, and coordination with suppliers and contractors.

Attempting this alone could result in a poorly remodeled kitchen or an extended renovation period. Ottawa General Contractors offer kitchen renovations services to avoid the pitfalls of DIY kitchen remodeling.

Misplaced Island Arrangement

Kitchen islands have long been popular in remodeling projects, but improper placement can cause significant issues. Anyone experienced in construction knows it’s crucial to plan the layout before starting any work.

A common problem is when an island disrupts the efficient workflow between key areas like the refrigerator, sink, oven, and stove. This often happens if the island is too close to other kitchen components or if the space is too small.

For optimal functionality, ensure an island has at least 3.5 feet of open space on all sides. Consider this spacing during the floor plan design phase of your dream kitchen. Precise measurements are essential for your ideal kitchen island during the remodel.

Failing to Designate Electrical Outlet Locations

The kitchen is often a bustling center of activity in a home. This results in a lot of foot traffic and requires numerous devices to be plugged in. Major appliances like smaller appliances and other gadgets brought into the kitchen need electrical outlets. Whether it’s a hot plate, standing mixer,  laptop, tablet, cell phone, or other devices, your kitchen remodel will need sufficient and conveniently placed electrical outlets to accommodate them all.

Acting on Impulsive Decisions

Showroom materials might appear more appealing than they would in your home. It’s a mistake to impulsively buy something just because it looks good in a store. Always take samples home first. This is especially crucial for flooring. Wood or ceramic tiles samples let you consider whether a particular style fits your home.

The same applies to colors. Color psychology matters, some colors are calming, others bold, natural, or organic. Since you’ll spend a lot of time in your kitchen, ensure the color is one you’ll be happy with long-term.

Endnote

A kitchen remodel can be complex  and stressful, but it significantly enhances your home’s overall quality when executed correctly. Understanding the most common mistakes in these projects increases your chances of avoiding them.

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