Few events are more disruptive, stressful or costly in life than remodeling one’s home. In my career as a professional kitchen designer, I have observed, assisted with and managed numerous residential kitchen remodeling projects throughout the Northern Virginia / Washington DC region. Here, in no particular order, are the top mistakes I see homeowners making when embarking on a kitchen remodeling project:
1) Not having a plan.
A kitchen remodel is a multidimensional process that requires far more advance planning than most homeowners realize in order to proceed smoothly.
Elements that must be considered and decided upon beforehand include:
- who will be using the kitchen,
- how will they be using the kitchen,
- designing a floor plan that will support workflow patterns,
- optimal configuration and placement of appliances and cabinetry,
- product selections, fixture selections, color and finish selections, and
- coordinating delivery and installation with multiple suppliers and workmen.
An expert kitchen designer understands all the elements that go into a planning a successful kitchen remodel and can save you considerable time, money, stress and headaches throughout the remodeling process.
2) Not being educated about the product
Just as you wouldn’t pair running shoes with an evening gown when dressing up for a special event, the cabinetry, fixtures, appliances and other elements of your kitchen remodel should all be of similar style and quality.
3) Not understanding the impact that appliances have on design
Appliances drive the kitchen design, period. Serious consideration should be given to what appliances will go into your kitchen, why they are there and where they will be placed, or you may later regret your choices.
4) Not understanding the importance of lighting
Lighting is key to everything in your kitchen remodel. The sun’s changing angles throughout the day and the seasons and the way the sun reflects in your kitchen will affect the look and feel of your space. I have seen too many clients commit to finish selections only to discover after all is installed that the color they thought was “beige” looks “pink” under the kitchen’s actual lighting.
5) Not understanding cabinetry construction.
All boxes are not created equal. Cabinetry construction affects its longevity. The cabinet’s finish is another important aspect of a cabinet’s quality. Examine both the construction and the finish of your cabinet selections to ensure your satisfaction with the final product.
6) Not subscribing to the “less is more” theory”
Kitchens do not have to be elaborate to be beautiful. When in doubt, do less, not more.
7) Not committing to a budget range.
This will most certainly get you into trouble. Homeowners are often reluctant to confide their true remodeling budget to the professionals assisting them. They may not be sure of their budget or they may not feel comfortable entrusting that information to the professionals who will be managing their kitchen remodeling project. If you are uncertain how much you should budget for your kitchen remodeling project, ask a trusted professional kitchen designer to educate you about your options.
Knowledge is power. The more knowledgeable you are about your remodeling options, the more likely you will make informed and sound decisions.
Call Sandra today at (703) 801-6402 to schedule a kitchen remodeling consultation. Sandra will help you get the most value out of your kitchen remodeling budget and ensure that all the details of your kitchen renovation proceed smoothly, on time and within budget.
