5 things to avoid when renovating your kitchen

Planning your kitchen renovation can be significantly stressful and overwhelming. While it can be a considerable investment for most homeowners, a quality kitchen renovation can last you for decades to come when done correctly. We’ve gathered the five mistakes you should avoid while remodelling your space to ensure your time, effort, and money has been well spent. 

1. Using Low-Quality Materials

Some people tend to compromise on the quality of goods they use in order to save money. For the kitchen, make sure to choose durable materials. Limestone is attractive, but it is susceptible to water rings. High-quality products will improve the versatility of your kitchen while still ensuring that it continues to look nice for years to come. Also, avoid trying to save money by buying cheaper appliances. You may feel inclined to not consider an expensive light fixture in order to remain under budget, but making energy-efficient and reliable purchases is more essential for functionality. These materials and equipment may have a high initial cost, but they will pay for themselves over time. To learn more about kitchen renovation costs, read our latest guide. 

2. Focusing on Aesthetics Only

People are often distracted by the aesthetics of a kitchen redesign and fail to consider the realistic aspects, such as functionality of the overall design. This should be the primary concern during a kitchen remodel — paint colours, cabinetry hardware, and faucet styles should be secondary. If you don't, you'll end up with a gorgeous kitchen that's difficult to use and move around in. You may have some fancy ideas on how the kitchen might look, but consider how practical they are. When creating a plan, you must think about things like who will be using the room and how certain changes will affect the selling price if the time comes to list your house on the property market. 

3. Trying to DIY Everything

DIY can be the way to go if you’re giving your cabinets a quick coat of paint. However, unless you are an expert, modifying the structure of your kitchen, replacing all your tiles, or even changing the lighting scheme is not a task that can be completed alone. Finding the best people to do the work for you is also crucial. A renovation project cannot be done on your own because you risk destroying the space or getting injured. 

It's critical to pick the best tradie for the role, depending on the task at hand. If you're replacing the kitchen sink, you'll need to hire a plumber. If you’re redesigning your whole space, you’ll need a builder or kitchen reno expert. Regardless of how big or small your project is, you should always choose a licensed and insured professional. Don’t necessarily select the first one— consider at least three no-obligation kitchen renovations quotes and then make your decision based on quality of past work, reviews, budget, and timeframe. 

4. Not Thinking Long-Term

A kitchen renovation project is both emotionally and financially demanding. It's impossible to keep readjusting things every couple of years. So, when it comes to renovating your kitchen, pay attention to the colour of your walls, tiles, and cabinets. Although a popular trend might be appealing to you now, think about what would happen if you plan to sell — will buyers like the combination of a vibrant kitchen and designer tiles? A low-key colour scheme focusing on white, grey, or beige will be more likely to age gracefully. But that doesn't mean they have to be dull; if you like vivid colours, invest in any eye-catching accessories like a highly decorative appliance or a striking vase with flowers that can be left out on the benchtop.

5. Not Planning for Storage

Cabinets will take up much of the visible wall space in a kitchen, making them a popular item to upgrade. Sufficient storage space is crucial for your new kitchen. Create a list of all you'll be storing and allocate a spot to each item to guarantee you'll have enough space. Make sure you have enough room for your appliances, pots and pans, kitchen utensils, cutlery, and other items. 

You'll still want to make sure you'll have enough pantry space, so consider your current pantry and any improvements you'd like to make. If you're short on space, consider having cabinets and storage solutions custom-made for you. Try to be as realistic as possible and add some extra drawers to add all the new bits and pieces you might buy in future.

Avoiding these common mistakes when renovating your kitchen will help ensure your space is functional and stylish well into the future. It will be a room that you’re proud to share with guests, and that makes everyday living as comfortable as possible.

Further Reading

• Doing a Kitchen Renovation on a Budget
• Kitchen Renovation Ideas That Make Your Space Easier to Work In
• 4 Things to Remember for Your Next Kitchen Renovation
• 5 Things You Should Not Do When Repainting Your House