The Do's & Don'ts of Kitchen Remodeling (Mistakes to Avoid)

DON’Ts: Avoid These Remodeling Mistakes

We’ve seen the following kitchen remodel mistakes trip up homeowners before:

• DON’T Neglect Your Budget.
• When you start your research into how much a kitchen remodel might cost, you’ll find lots of helpful cost ranges. A kitchen renovation is one of the most customizable home improvement projects you can take on in terms of price, so you’ll need a flexible budget that can maintain a structure in spite of changes.
• Here’s a general idea of how costs might break down that you can use to guide your decisions: 
• 35% - Cabinets
• 20% - Labor
• 20% - Appliances
• 10% - Windows
• 5% - Fixtures
• 3% - Fittings
• 7% - Other
  
  
• DON’T Place Elements in the Work Triangle Far From Each Other.
• The work triangle is a kitchen layout concept that’s highly praised for being both aesthetically pleasing and functional. In a work triangle layout, your stove, sink, and refrigerator form a triangle with sides that are not that far apart from each other, making it easy to move around your kitchen. There are exceptions, but the work triangle is a very useful tool for kitchen design. 
  
  
• DON’T Position Essential Appliances Against a Wall.
• Placing your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or another important appliance next to a side wall might look beautiful on paper, but it often frustrates homeowners in real life. You’ll likely regret not being able to move all the way around the appliance while performing routine tasks. 
  
  
• DON’T Emphasize Inspirational Wants Over Practical Needs.
• If a beautiful design feature negatively impacts you or your family during daily use in some minor way, you’ll regret adding it.
  
  
• DON’T Rush the Process.
• Kitchen renovations usually require homeowners, their families, and their pets to live without a kitchen for a while, which can be stressful. Make sure your temporary kitchen is fully stocked and keep a list of the reasons why you decided to remodel so you’re prepared to last through any frustrating delays.

DO’s: How to Renovate the Right Way

Here are some kitchen remodel “do’s” you should embrace as you research, plan, and prepare.

• DO Consider the Timeless Over the Trendy.
• Kitchen trends posted on social media can tell you a lot about what will be popular in the next few months. But, you’ll likely be more satisfied with your choices in the long run if you consider trends that have lasted decades, like timeless cabinet colors and design elements.
  
  
• DO Account for Surprise Costs.
• There are a lot of moving parts in a kitchen renovation, including decisions about appliances, paint colors, hardware, electrical wiring, and plumbing. It’s a good idea to create a cushion in your budget—at least 7%—in case you need funds to cover surprises.
  
  
• DO Remember Storage.
• If you’re removing or changing up your cabinets, make sure you build in enough storage for your needs. You’ll want a system that still works efficiently when you and your family are tired and don’t have the energy to wrestle with stacks of pots and pans.
  
  
• DO Browse Kitchen Remodelers’ Portfolios.
• Some of the best sources for inspiration are kitchen remodelers’ portfolios (or even famous TV shows).
  
  
• DO Think About Walkways & Paths.
• Make sure each path is at least 36 inches wide so you won’t bump into anything or anyone moving around your kitchen.
  
  
• DO Add Plenty of Lighting.
• Illuminate your kitchen’s workspaces and countertops with lots of lighting, including natural lighting, under-cabinet lighting, recessed lighting, and more.

Request a Quote from NJ’s Top Kitchen Remodelers

Our team at Oceanside Painting & Refinishing in New Jersey has years of experience helping homeowners build kitchens they love. 

Whether you’re just starting your kitchen remodeling research or are ready to hire contractors, we have resources to help you: useful advice on our blog, design inspiration on our Instagram, and a free estimate for our kitchen remodeling services when you reach out below. 

Call Oceanside Painting & Refinishing today at 732-818-0092 or fill out the quick form below for your free estimate!