The kitchen is the heart of every home. It’s where all meals are cooked and prepared—where guests and families congregate to swap recipes and stories over dinner or Sunday lunch. It is important to design your kitchen to be as spacious and welcoming as possible, and make sure it is conducive not just for cooking, but will also allow space for all the activity that’s going on.
Despite your good intentions, however, not all kitchen improvement projects end up well. Layout planning may be an issue, or the choice of paint colour, type of cabinetry, and furniture do not match. Here are some kitchen renovation tips and things you should avoid:
1. A bigger kitchen is not always better
A carefully planned kitchen is often better than a haphazardly designed bigger one.
Almost every kitchen remodeller’s dream is to get a bigger kitchen. But bigger does necessarily mean better. If a professional advises you to improve your home’s entire floor to free up space for a bigger kitchen, take their advice with a grain of salt and try getting a second opinion from a different firm. Sometimes, a small but well-designed kitchen with high-quality materials and carefully planned details is enough. Remember to keep in mind the kitchen work triangle to manage the workflow and maximise the efficiency in the kitchen.
2. Skimping on storage and cabinets
Cheaper is definitely never better. Your kitchen storage should be durable enough to last your kitchen’s lifetime.
Investing in a strong and durable cabinet is a must for any kitchen. You’ll be opening and closing those drawers every day so they’ll be subjected to a lot of wear and tear. Make sure you get hardwoods with a good finish and strong hinges to get the best value out of your remodelling efforts.
3. Relying too much on the design fad
Green can veer towards trendy and seasonal. Balance it out with neutral colours to make it more timeless.
Fads always come and go. Because of this, trendy homes can easily become dated in just a few years. Be careful when allowing current trends to influence the design of your new kitchen. It is still more important for the kitchen to match the rest of the rooms in the house and reflect the personality and activity of the family or individuals living there. Opt instead for good space planning and timeless kitchen designs.
4. Getting distracted and going against the original design plan
Stick to the plan. This will not only makes sure that the process of remodeling is smooth, it also ensures you stay within budget.
The key to a successful remodelling project is following a well-organised design plan. If you have already declared a budget, selected a colour theme, purchased materials and furnishings according to the said plan, follow it. Avoid getting distracted by “newer and shinier” kitchen gadgets and furnishings as well as kitchen layouts that seem to look more exciting that the one you planned. Stop second-guessing your initial choice and stick to it.
5. Trying to be your own designer despite lack of experience
Designing your kitchen isn’t as easy as painting one colour and mixing it with the other.
Remodelling the kitchen, even if it’s one room, requires a good eye, creative design skills, and ability to produce layouts that consider the function of the kitchen and the flow of people around the house. This project is definitely time-consuming and complicated, and when done incorrectly, it could even be more costly than what is necessary. According to Denise Dick, a CMKBD and NKBA member in Carrollton, Texas. “Just like you go to a doctor specializing in a part of the body the specialist for that part of the home is the kitchen designer. We understand how it all fits together and why the parts are necessary. You’re going to do it right the first time with a designer.” Hiring a professional such as Badel may seem more expensive, but with the level of skill and experience they have, it will be worth it. They’ve had years of experience doing kitchen makeovers in Sydney and know the quickest yet most cost-effective solutions to every problem.
Kitchen remodelling is a huge and daunting task, but it is far from impossible. At the end of the day, it’s best to consult with professionals who can help you bring your ideas to life. Badel Kitchens & Joinery is the leading expert in kitchen makeovers in Sydney. Call us today and discuss your kitchen makeover.