Kitchen renovation: top 10 mistakes
We are often asked to break down the most common mistakes in DIY renovation without a designer. I decided to dedicate several articles on my blog to this topic — let's start with the kitchen and the typical mistakes most people make. Our projects are used as photo materials to illustrate how to do it right.
At the very beginning, I would also like to add that a good kitchen is a unified system where everything is interconnected. It is very important to choose the full set at once: the right decorative finishes, cabinetry, home appliances, etc. Do not assume you can "painlessly" purchase the missing elements later; believe me, integrating them into the system will be far from easy. So, read my top 10 mistakes in kitchen design and renovation.
1. Inappropriate Handles
I really dislike protruding handles that reduce the door opening angle (for example, from 90 degrees to 87); it might seem like a small detail, but because of it, the drawer can no longer slide out properly. Therefore, in a small kitchen, it is better to choose concealed handles for base drawers — as shown in the photo.
2. Huge Ductwork.
Yes, sometimes the cooktop is located far from the ventilation shaft. But why build such bulky, awkward structures — it is much simpler and more aesthetic to purchase a range hood with a carbon filter.
3. Marble in the Kitchen
Believe me, as a designer, I truly respect and love natural materials. Especially natural stone... Yet, despite all its aesthetics, you should not choose marble for kitchen finishes (neither for the floor nor for the backsplash). Marble has a very porous structure, and dirt that inevitably penetrates the surface will stay there forever. It is much simpler and better to use marble-look porcelain stoneware — as shown in the photo.
4. Sides of the Working Triangle Are Too Long
I think everyone has heard of the notorious kitchen work triangle (cooking area, prep area, and storage area). It is crucial that even in a spacious kitchen, the sides of this triangle are not too long. In other words, running to the refrigerator in the farthest corner of the room makes no sense.
5. Narrow Walkways
A few words should also be said about this issue. Remember that the distance between the island and other surfaces must be at least 120 cm. Only then will you be able to fully use the drawers and move around comfortably.
6. Gloss Finish
Undoubtedly, glossy cabinet fronts look very striking in certain settings, but you cannot imagine how many fingerprints they collect and how visible they are under certain lighting. If you really want a glossy kitchen, look into textured gloss — fingerprints are much less of an issue there.
7. Choosing Between Shelves or Drawers
So, my advice is to replace all base shelves (wherever possible) with pull-out drawers. Drawer contents are very easy to see and access without having to bend over backward to find what is deep inside a shelf.
8. Don't Make Drawers Too Wide
I am sure you have seen 120 cm kitchen drawers that glide open effortlessly with a gentle push. But typically, you saw them in a showroom where the drawers were empty... Now imagine filling such a drawer with jars of grains, preserves, and tableware... Do you think it will still open just as smoothly and easily?
9. Insufficient Lighting
My advice: design several lighting scenarios for your kitchen. You will definitely need task lighting for the work area and the dining table, along with ambient general lighting.
And be sure to place light switches where they are easily reachable from anywhere within the work triangle.
10. No Space Left for Small Appliances
Of course, it is impossible to fit everything into a kitchen. BUT! Remember that this is a space with more small appliances than anywhere else. Built-in appliances are great, but a kitchen is not a kitchen without countertop appliances.
Allow space on the countertop and provide additional power outlets.
And as the biggest mistake, I would highlight cutting costs on a designer. After all, you are not renovating a kitchen for 1 year or even for 5 years... Is it worth skimping on such a long-term investment?! Agree that it is far better to allocate a proper budget once and do it right than to cut corners and redo everything year after year?
I hope my article has convinced you that you cannot do without a professional. Follow the link, calculate the design project cost, and consider whether that amount is worth sparing yourself future trouble.
