There’s nothing standing between you and your dream kitchen. A new kitchen may be a big ticket purchase, but it is also a worthwhile investment. It will always add value to home. Of course, there is a lot to consider when choosing a new kitchen. Furthermore, these are decisions you need to get right. After all, you are going to be stuck with the results for years to come. So, yes, there are lots of things to think about. Moreover, there are lots of mistakes that are easily made. These are the new kitchen mistakes to avoid at all costs.
New Kitchen Mistakes: Never forget the finer details
As we all know, the devil is often in the detail. So, when it comes to designing a kitchen, you should never forget the finer details. Strangely, it’s often the most obvious things that are forgotten or overlooked when designing a kitchen. Simple things like where the bins go or making sure there is enough space for the chopping board can slip the mind. But these are new kitchen mistakes to avoid.
A kitchen can be and is much more… but never forget its primary function is to prepare and cook food. Therefore, a kitchen has to be practical and functional above all else. This means that the design process should really begin with careful consideration of how you intend to use the kitchen when cooking and preparing meals.
Of course, functional doesn’t have to mean boring. There are so any ingenious design solutions you can use in the kitchen. However, never lose sight of the fact that the kitchen is a working space.
Don’t forget countertop space
A very common mistake in kitchen design is not planning enough counter space to work with. It’s easy to make the mistake of only thinking about how much space you need to prepare meals. There are several other things that need to be factored in too. For example, you need to have enough counter space to put all your appliances out, wash up, and possibly even to eat or socialise. Not having enough countertop space is a major new kitchen mistake. It is one you are sure to regret for a long time.
You can never have enough storage
It’s easy to underestimate how much storage space you are going to need. What’s more, you can never really have too much storage space anyway. Of course, proportion is important. You certainly don’t want to have to pile things on top of other or squeeze items into a drawer. On the other hand, sparse and bare spaces can look awkward too.
The answer is somewhere in between the two, by creating a sense of balance. To achieve this, you need to plan accordingly. Try to allocate a space for every single thing you currently have in the kitchen. Factor in new and future items – without overdoing it.
The trick to having enough storage space is to make clever and effective use of the space you have. For example, magnetic panels are a great way of making best use of the space between your kitchen wall units and kitchen base units. Pull-out corner storage is another clever solution. Another idea is to incorporate a trolley into your kitchen design. Floor space is often forgotten. However, a trolley can be useful in creating additional space when you are preparing food. It can also double-up as a drinks trolley when you are entertaining.
Don’t overlook lighting
With all the focus on choosing countertop styles and cabinet design, it’s perhaps not a surprise that lighting is often overlooked. The thing is that adequate lighting makes all the difference. In fact, not having suitable lighting can make even the most impressive-looking kitchen feel decidedly lacking.
You need to get the lighting right from two angles. Firstly, from a functional point of view. Secondly, in terms of aesthetics. Food preparation and cooking areas need bright and direct light. Ambient lighting is best suited to dining areas. The most popular choice of task lighting are spotlights. These can be concealed under wall cabinets. Dimmer switches can be used for lighting in other areas of the kitchen. This means that you can change the mood and atmosphere of the space, literally, at the flick of a switch. Inadequate lighting is definitely a new kitchen mistake to avoid.
New kitchen mistakes: Doing it all yourself
DIY is great and if you are that way inclined and a confident DIYer there is absolutely no reason why many aspects of new kitchen installation can’t be taken on as a DIY project.
However, sometimes the temptation to do it yourself clouds your judgement. It’s easy to forget the level of expertise that is necessary in the planning of a major home improvement, such as designing a new kitchen. There is a reason that tradespeople are professionals. You should always seek advice and guidance on any project from the experts. Registered tradespeople can be helpful when it comes to planning and project managing, as well as completing the actual work. Especially when starting a new kitchen from scratch, expertise is vital. When you are dealing with plumbing, ventilation, and wiring, these are things that you simply can’t afford to get wrong.
Don’t go over budget
This is an obvious one. However, it is perhaps also the easiest new kitchen mistake that people make – and one of the most common. Project spends can rise sharply if you are not careful. The easiest way to avoid over-spending is to create an inventory list. And you should never start any kitchen renovation without a budget and plan. Even if you have plenty of cash, having a set budget and sticking to those figures will help you to keep things in check. Don’t spend money on things that aren’t practical, regardless of how much you like them. Remember, that at the end of the day the kitchen has to be a functional and practical working space.
New kitchen mistakes: Don’t think short term
Sometimes you might need a short-term fix in the home. However, designing a new kitchen is not the time for short-termism. A good quality kitchen should see you through for at least ten years, so it’s vital that you get things right. Choosing the cheapest option in terms of materials and products is false economy, as these items are rarely built to last. At the same time, this doesn’t mean that your new kitchen can’t be affordable. However, the chances are that this will be one of the biggest investments you make in the home. Think about its re-sale value. Even if the moving home isn’t on the agenda right now, things can change.
Some designs can date quite quickly. Although, you might like a particular style now, how sure are you that you will still love it five years down the line? A big new kitchen mistake is not thinking about the future enough. A kitchen is a long term thing. If you would like any further help or you have any questions about designing your new kitchen, get in touch with the Kitchen Warehouse team.
