Remodeling your kitchen is oftentimes a big investment and the last thing that you should want happening are costly mistakes. Before you begin your remodeling project, you should have a solid plan to guide you, as well as skilled and reliable contractors to get the job done right. If it’s a DIY job, know-how is important, and so it’s necessary to do your research if you are unsure about how to go about doing particular tasks. Here are a number of kitchen remodeling mistakes that you don’t want to make, which could cost you a lot of headaches, time, and money.
Image by Denise Husted
- Wasting Space and Steps
Regardless of the size of your kitchen, it’s important to optimize your space and waste as little as possible. When working in your kitchen, you want everything to be within reach so that you don’t have to walk a distance that is necessary to reach an item or perform a task. You should aim to create an adequate step-saving workspace and avoid having dead space within your kitchen that serves no particular function. Your workstations should not be top spread out if you have a large kitchen, and you want to maximize every inch when the space is limited. Have a use for each space and make it efficient.
- Not Enough Aisle Space
Limited aisle space can make your kitchen feel cramped for working and make foot traffic bump. You need enough aisle space that is adequately wide to accommodate all the activities that go on in your kitchen. Proper clearance space is essential when it comes to designing kitchen layouts.
The aisle space should be easily navigable to dine, cook, schedule, talk, or for just about all that goes on in the kitchen. All kitchen aisles, including those between walls, appliances, and islands should be between 42 inches and 48 inches in width. The last thing you want in your kitchen is the risk of serious injuries, and inadequate space to support all your kitchen needs efficiently.
- Not Visualizing Your Kitchen in 3-D
The best kitchen remodel should provide you with a space that provides functionality and visual aesthetics. You don’t have to go into your kitchen remodel blind, so to speak. During the planning stage of your kitchen remodel, think of the size of the space, the direction of doors, kitchen cabinets, and appliances in order to determine the right clearance width for everything. Perform a walk-through of your kitchen space to have an idea of the location of all items and how best you can allow effective maneuverability while creating a kitchen design that is also beautiful.
- Overwhelming a Small Kitchen Space
Making a small space look even more small is a big mistake when working with a small kitchen space. Know what to add to your kitchen in terms of items, like furniture and appliances, and also how to place them for space optimization and effectiveness. For example, rather than getting an island for your small kitchen space, opt for a small peninsula instead. Minimum fit doesn’t mean that you cannot achieve the kitchen design you wanted. You simply have to work within the space that you have and keep size and layout in mind. Overwhelming your small kitchen space will compromise functionality and make your kitchen less than appealing.
Before you get started on your kitchen remodeling, carefully plan out your project. Get the help of professionals if you have a specific task that requires a particular set of skills, or questions about the best RTA kitchen cabinets. Avoid these and other costly mistakes when doing your kitchen remodeling.
