Renovating a kitchen is no mean feat, so the last thing you want is to get to the end of the renovation only to find that it doesn’t live up to your expectations in either form, functionality or both.
There’s a lot to consider when designing a new kitchen, so it makes sense that mistakes happen. But if you want a kitchen that truly deserves the title ‘heart of the home’, it’s important to stay engaged throughout the kitchen design process.
But how do you know what to look out for if you’ve never designed a kitchen before? Well, one way is to learn from other people’s kitchen renovation mistakes.
Here are 13 of the most common mistakes people make when renovating, updating and reconfiguring their kitchens.
1. Prioritising form over function
A kitchen should be functional, just as much as it is beautiful. This will make your life easier, and increase your joy when you’re in the space. Consider how you’ll use your kitchen. Do you love to entertain? Where are the entrances and where is the household traffic flow? What challenges have annoyed you in the past (eg, a dishwasher folding out in front of a sink, blocking two people from efficiently cleaning up!).
Next, think about materials. You may fall in love with the look of a material, but consider its convenience. Think about durability and cleanliness. For instance, matt surfaces make fingerprints harder to see. Easy to clean and maintain products such as porcelain tiles save time on sealing and cleaning compared with marble or terracotta.
2. Going over your budget
A kitchen reno can quickly become a budget blowout if you don’t plan wisely. You can use the free Witzer project management app to keep your budget on track, and easily manage progress payments with your tradie. When it comes to your project, keep these following hidden costs in mind.
- Electrical and plumbing upgrades – Moving the position of sinks or appliances will likely require rewiring or new pipes.
- Custom cabinetry – Custom-made joinery can be significantly more expensive than modular options.
- Demolition in older buildings – This could unearth challenges such as asbestos in older homes or structural deterioration.
It’s helpful to factor in a 10-20% contingency buffer on your budget to account for unexpected costs.
3. Starting without a good plan
Plan your kitchen renovation well in advance. Decide on details such as handles, taps and power points to avoid stressed and hasty choices at the eleventh hour. It pays to stay organised and communicate clearly with your tradies. Tools like the Witzer app help streamline the process by allowing you to manage finance and project timelines in one place.
With Witzer’s secure milestone-based payment system, you can ensure work is completed to your satisfaction before releasing funds. It also offers peace of mind for tradies, as they know money is there to pay them.
4. Failing to consider the working triangle
Having your kitchen appliances too far away from each other can interfere with your cooking.
According to interior designer Rebecca Poutney, “One of the things to think about with kitchen layouts, and it’s often talked about, is the working triangle.”
“It’s about the placement of your key appliances. So your cooktop, your fridge and your sink. One of the things that people get wrong is having those things too far away from each other, so you are constantly walking around your kitchen,” Poutney said.
5. Not leaving enough room for cabinets to open freely
If you’re installing a new kitchen it’s important to allow enough room between drawers, doors and appliances to cater to handles and knobs, as well as how much space you need to open a fridge or dishwasher drawer.
Ideally, you want enough space that every drawer and door could be open without any one hitting the other.
63. Trying to fit too much in
Getting the most out of your space is important, however, a common mistake is trying to fit too much in.
Daniel Bertuccio, Marketing Manager of Eurolinx says, “You need to be realistic with the space you have available.”
Ignoring this can ruin the flow in your kitchen, leaving the space cramped and unusable.
“There needs to compromise,” says Bertuccio, “sometimes there are things you just can’t have.”
WATCH: How to design a kitchen with Pete Colquhoun
7. Not thinking about the backsplash early
The right backsplash can really make a kitchen pop.
Think about it early on in the design phase so you can decide if you’re going for a statement material, an experimental finish or tiles, and if you want it to be tall, short or cover the entire wall.
8. Choosing the wrong bench top
Marble and natural stone are luxurious and gorgeous options for kitchen bench tops, but let’s be honest, who has time to clean up every spill as soon as it happens to stop it staining a marble bench top?
On top of that, natural stone will quickly show signs of wear and tear if it often has bowls, plates, pots and pans sitting on top of it. Try laminate, granite or engineered quartz materials instead.
9. Installing cabinetry that doesn’t reach the ceiling
Leaving a gap between the top of your cabinetry and the ceiling not only creates a space that gathers dust and dirt, but it can make you ceiling feel lower and the room more cramped.
For a more polished look that won’t create dust-catching nooks, extend your cabinetry all the way to the ceiling.
10. Poor lighting
Kitchens need excellent lighting for cooking and cleaning, so don’t skimp on it. If you’re going for a pendant light, bigger is better.
If your kitchen doesn’t have a window (like some apartments) or is poorly lit, invest in some bright LED downlights or strip task lighting.
11. Not making the most of your island bench
Adding an island bench to your kitchen is a great way to increase space, as long as you keep it free from clutter.
Managing Director for Sub-Zero and Wolf Australia, Andrew Mumford, says adding appliances to the island bench will reduce your workspace.
“Personally I think appliances in the island bench, particularly the sink, can be challenging if you are looking for space because it reduces your preparation area.
“If you are limited in size, it’s all about preparation area and bench space is critical.”
12. Going overboard with open shelving
While open shelving is a wonderful opportunity to showcase a beloved stoneware collection or colour-coordinated teaware, it isn’t particularly practical when it comes to the everyday use of the kitchen.
A good kitchen has an even mix of concealed and open shelving and storage, so all the things that are used often then hastily stuffed back away (often in a mess) can be hidden behind doors, while the things that are used for special occasions and easily kept tidy are left on display.
13. Forgetting to include a place to charge electronic devices
Technology is an essential part of daily modern life, but kitchen design has struggled to keep up. Most standard kitchen setups don’t take into account the sheer amount of electronic devices each family member owns – which inevitably leads to a kitchen bench cluttered with cords and chargers.
If you’re on a budget, consider making a DIY charging station out of a $15 Kmart bread bin. Another great budget option is to invest in a slimline All Dock which can charge up to six devices simultaneously while keeping unsightly cords hidden.
Or, if you’re in the process of renovating your kitchen, check out a more permanent option like the Docker Drawer. It’s essentially a kitchen drawer that has built-in power outlets and USB ports, so you can keep devices out of sight as they charge.
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