Avoid mistakes in kitchen remodeling
“Oh, I wish I had done that, or I wish I had done this …” Shouts could be heard from many homeowners who have just completed their kitchen remodel. We have all been there. I remember going to a friend’s house and telling her how much I liked her kitchen island. She said, “I hate it.” She couldn’t imagine why, it gave her a lot of counter space and food prep area, but she didn’t like it and she wished she would never have it as part of her plan. “It is on the way!” She screamed. “I can’t go from the sink to the fridge without having to walk around the island,” he was right, it looked beautiful, but the benefit of having more counter space wasn’t enough to combat the hassle of having to walk. around that big piece of furniture. And although she warned me, my wife and I did the same, but with us, the benefit of the island far outweighed the extra steps to get to the fridge. “To each his own.”
Many of us want the dream kitchen we saw in the magazine, or the model home we just visited, but in most cases, those kitchens are not designed as a conveniently planned workspace. We love our island because my wife likes to bake and it is an excellent counter for the mixer and all the ingredients. In addition, we have children and they are always collaborating around the island.
First, use a competent designer who will give you what you want rather than what you want to sell to you. The overall design should be functional and look good.
If a designer says he can’t do that, make sure it’s because he can’t, not because he can’t.
Second, plan. It’s that easy. How do you use your kitchen? What are your morning rituals and how can you make your life easier in the kitchen? Plan a kitchen that suits your culinary needs. If you bake a lot, make sure you have flat racks near the oven.
Third, compare the cabinets. Most people are purely looking for price, not quality, fit, and finish.
Look at construction methods, materials, hardware and solid door materials vs. laminate. Check the construction of the drawer box; look for full extension drawer sliders.
And make sure there are interiors with full finishes, not laminated particle board.
Buy cabinets with recessed doors so there are no exposed hinges.
Explore crown molding and custom sizes, not pre-made boxes with built-in dropouts, most pre-made base cabinets have built-in dropouts, quality engineering kitchens use a common tip.
And finally, don’t be fooled by looks and exterior fluff. Read between the lines for the correct materials, a good kitchen looks good after years of use.
Good luck with your kitchen remodel … and be sure to plan well before the dust flies.