Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

If you’re planning on updating your kitchen with a renovation or even a remodel, then there are some pitfalls you really should avoid before you start planning and getting kitchen renovators in. Avoiding these mistakes will make the process smoother and quicker, but mainly less expensive, so let’s take a look at the most common ones.

Maximise the Space

If you have a large kitchen then you will have more options but more space to waste, a smaller kitchen means you definitely want to maximise that space. Don’t try and fit in a seating area or breakfast bar or an island if they won’t fit. There will be compromises that mean nothing functions perfectly and you’ll end up either living with it or paying for it to be undone. Don’t try and squeeze in too much.

Always Think About the Footpath

For your kitchen to be truly functional, you need to consider the walkways for your foot traffic. Who will be using the kitchen and how? Obviously, cooking is the major aspect so keep your countertop, cooker / stove, sink and fridge in a small triangle. Sinks and counters are often next to each other, ovens often below stovetops and fridges at the end of worktops. If you place these too far apart the person(s) cooking will be constantly crisscrossing the kitchen whilst others are potentially using it, causing more bumping into each other and accidents. Plan this first and the rest will fall into place.

Aisles Too Tight

This mainly becomes a problem if you have an island and you make it too big. You should leave about 40 to 48 inches (1 metre minimum) around it so that your aisles can accommodate 2 people passing, or seats and the cook being able to move behind them. Consider this a work aisle. Make these spaces too short and you’ll create one-way systems or dead ends and end up causing accidents. It might sound like a lot of wasted space, but trust us, every kitchen renovation company will tell you the same for a good reason. A walkway (a passageway through the kitchen can be narrower (36 inches) but be sure to know the difference.

Changing Your Design After Work Starts

This is a no brainer as it will cost more and extend the completion time. If you have followed the above rules then you shouldn’t need any major adjustments. Your kitchen experts will help you with the right decisions if you are unsure, but having a decent plan to begin with will maximise your success and budget.

Maximising Storage

This isn’t as simple as just having plenty of cupboards that are all the same. Dedicated storage options are almost infinite. Think about what needs to be stored close to where it might be used. Custom cabinets and the right storage options will maximise the space you have which is especially important in smaller kitchens.