Avoid these kitchen design mistakes when renovating

 

The kitchen is one of the first places that homeowners look to renovate. Unfortunately, a lot of people make

common design mistakes that could be costly or downright unattractive. If this is your first time, there are a couple

of things you should know before starting your kitchen renovation project. What you do to your home can make or

break the potential it has to be resold at a higher price. Of course, even if this isn’t your ultimate goal, you should

still want the value of your home to increase after a successful remodeling project.

 

1.       Installing your sink in an unattractive location: It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but where you install your

kitchen sink can make a big difference in the design of your kitchen. Since plumbing is already installed in your

home, you would think that you’d have to install the kitchen sink in proximity to where the pipes are. But if you really

want to revamp your kitchen, you can instead hire a plumber to relocate the plumbing. This will give you more

flexibility for redesigning your kitchen. If you don’t like the location of your kitchen sink, then this is definitely great

news.

 

2.       Not forming a work triangle: The position of your oven, sink and refrigerator should be carefully placed, so

that you can get to all three seamlessly. This can definitely be a deal breaker when it comes time to showcase

your home to potential buyers.

 

 3.       Having a confined or isolated design: No matter what size your kitchen is, having it proportional and

spacious is key. There is such a thing as being too spacious (isolated) or being too confined. Try to be

somewhere in the middle. Even the smallest of kitchens can feel open and spacious.

 

4.       Not making use of kitchen space:  A lot of kitchens have unused space that can easily be transformed into

something desirable. For instance, if you have a small kitchen, you can make up for the lack of space by installing

an extra-long upper cabinet. You can decorate it with lighting or plants along the molding. The empty space above

your fridge is a great place to have one installed as well.

 

 5.       Insufficient counter space: Most homeowners tend to upgrade their cabinets with popular stones, but don’t

think to add additional countertops. If you don’t have enough cooking space or could use more, you should

definitely add more around the sink and stove.

 

 6.       Insufficient storage space: There are two levels of space commonly found in kitchens, upper level and

lower level cabinets. If either or are insufficient, use empty wall space to add more. This would go perfectly with

additional countertops you have had installed.

 

 7.       No dishwasher: If you live in a home that isn’t equipped with a dishwasher, potential homebuyers may

quickly overlook it. If you don’t have adequate plumbing or electric, you can hire a contractor to set everything up for

you.

 

 8.       Small refrigerator space: When a home is first built, it caters to the appliances that are going to be in it

initially. If you’re ever going to upgrade to a double door refrigerator or one that is taller, it is important that the

space around it accommodates. If it doesn’t then this should be remodeled.

 

 9.       Not enough lighting: The kitchen should be a place that is filled with natural and artificial lighting. Installing

additional windows and decorative lighting like hanging lights and recessed lights can definitely add spunk to your

cooking space.

 

 10.   Not having a backsplash: For some, this is all about the design, but for many, it’s about cleanliness.

Backsplashes can be installed behind the stove and bordered throughout the kitchen above countertops. It’s easy

to clean off grease and food particles that splash on it, which is desirable for many.