November 4, 2010
Common Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes You Can Avoid
A common home improvement gaining popularity these days is kitchen remodeling. One of the major reasons is that homes with recently remodeled rooms or kitchen have high resell value. Like any home improvement though, kitchen remodeling can be stressful especially if you are not prepared. Here are some tips on how to avoid remodeling mistakes.
Mistake #1- You don’t have a game plan.
Although experimentation may be a delight, and often yields creative results you wouldn’t have thought possible- it is important to at least have an initial kitchen remodeling plan. Not having any basic idea will make the kitchen end up looking like a cluttered mess, or a mash of different themes. Changing one’s mind in the middle of everything could also sweep the costs sky-high.
Mistake #2- You think only of today.
When planning the project, consider possible innovations in kitchenware and technology in the future. If you choose to design the kitchen without considering if it could still be used in the future, in a couple of years you may find yourself back at square one- remodeling yet again.
Mistake #3- You tend to get carried away.
It can be quite tempting to get carried away with the renovation procedures we see on TV. Remember that the whole kitchen remodeling process is played fast forward, may tempt the prospective homemaker to tear the whole place apart and start from scratch. Remember, you are remodeling, not building a whole new kitchen. Some of your old kitchen stuff, such as tables and counters, can be spruced up to match the new theme and reused. This way, you can also save a lot of money.
Mistake #4- You overlook the lighting.
It may be more thrilling to think of trendy kitchen cabinets and bar stools, but no matter how well put-together the whole kitchen design is, bad lighting can completely change the effect. Set aside a part of the budget for this purpose before going wild with the rest of the furniture.
Mistake #5- You sacrifice your own convenience.
Take the kitchen’s users into careful consideration. Walk yourself through your usual routine in the kitchen. If you think that, for instance, the sink is too far away, make it easier to get to. Sometimes, with too much of a creative design in mind, kitchen remodelers may not be aware that they are actually making the layout difficult for themselves.
Mistake #6- You think you can handle it all by yourself.
If you are a housewife or house-band with all the time to themselves, then go ahead, do it singlehandedly. However, if you do have a day job or other activities during the day, it would be unrealistic to handle the whole remodeling process by yourself. Seek the advice of a professional- he or she can help you get it right the first time, instead of going through the exasperating trial-and-error process. Even if one stays at home the whole day, professional advice would still be wise to take.
These are just some of the many common mistakes people make when kitchen remodeling. Just remember, the kitchen is an essential place of the household where you and your family will be spending time in for years and years, so give it your best shot.
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Filed under Kitchen Remodeling by Stephen Healy