A kitchen remodel can be an exciting renovation project that may involve knocking down walls, adding a kitchen island, and selecting everything from flooring to backsplashes to appliances. It’s usually a complex process with many components; you can easily overlook details that can result in major problems down the line—and may cause you to go over budget. So, we spoke with nine experts, including architects, designers, and flooring professionals to find the kitchen renovation mistakes you should avoid. From layout problems to budgeting errors, scroll down for 13 of their kitchen design deal breakers.
Failing to plan
According to Michael Menn, architect, homebuilder, and home remodeler based in Northbrook, Illinois, the biggest mistake that most homeowners make during a kitchen renovation is failing to plan properly. A successful kitchen remodel requires an end goal and vision. Menn explains that he’s not talking about a pretty picture of what you want the kitchen to look like. “Decide what your life—and your family’s life—will look like in this new space, because the kitchen must perform to [meet] those ends.”
As with any home-improvement plan, being realistic is as important of a part of the planning process as anything else. Before you start purchasing elements, or knocking down walls, make sure you’re comfortable with what you can realistically accomplish within your budget and within your existing space. Make sure you’re also being realistic about upkeep—if you have children and know you won’t be able to stand constant fingerprint smudges, maybe stainless steel isn’t the best option even if it is the look you like best.
Underestimating the cost
In addition to planning, Menn says failing to create an accurate budget is another huge mistake. “Whatever you think you want to spend, you will spend more, so have a 15 to 20% contingency,” he warns. “Take the time and do as much research as possible on flooring, countertops, cabinetry, lighting, accessories, appliances, etc., since most people rush when making these decisions.”
Choosing appliances after cabinetry
Real estate broker Egypt Sherrod, one of the hosts of the HGTV show Married to Real Estate, tells us it’s a big mistake to choose your appliances after the cabinetry has already been installed. As she explains, “When it comes to designing a kitchen, measurements are crucial, and a one-to-two-inch difference can make or break an installment.” You need to know your appliance measurements before the cabinet specifications are made. Sherrod adds, “This allows for the specs of the appliances to be properly taken into consideration when laying everything out.”
Plus, having your specific appliances on hand will help you pick out materials and hardware that complement the refrigerator and stove, which regardless on the square footage of your space, do a lot to establish the look of your kitchen. If you’re concerned with how all of your pieces will pair, and you have the budget to spare, choose panel-ready refrigerators that can be fitted with custom cabinet fronts to blend in with the rest of the space.
Installing cabinets before floors
The order of installation is also important as it relates to your cabinetry and floors, and Paul Henthorn, owner of Slaughterbeck Floors in Campbell, California, recommends installing the floors after the cabinetry when possible. “If cabinets are installed on top of a hardwood floor, there are at least two potential problems,” he explains. “The floor loses the ability to expand and contract, making cupping or peaking more of a reality, and it makes it very hard to remove the floor without damaging cabinets, should it need to be replaced or repaired.” Also, he says that installing the floors after cabinets also minimizes the risk that the floors will be damaged from the cabinet installation.
Choosing the wrong flooring
If you plan to use hardwood floors in your new kitchen, Henthorn stresses that the wood selection is very important. “Select wood that is treated with the proper finish; a pre-finished sealed hardwood is a good choice.” He also mentions that hardwood can be slippery, whereas a textured finish like hand-scraped, distressed, or reclaimed wood can help provide more traction while also covering up damage from kitchen wear and tear. He recommends selecting a wood with “a high Janka hardness rating (1500+) such as hickory, so it can withstand frequent use and drops while minimizing damage.”
Henthorn also says the kitchen is the most accident-prone area in the house, so it’s important to protect the areas where slips are most likely to happen when deciding on new flooring. “Use rugs or pads in front of the fridge, sink, dishwasher, and pantry.”
What about cork flooring? Henthorn explains that cork is most commonly used in kitchens, since it is soft, sound absorbing, and green. “However, cork does easily fade in the sun, so you may want to consider the sun exposure,” he warns.
Ignoring the kitchen triangle
Regardless of how stylish your kitchen looks, Sherrod warns that it won’t be functional if your key appliances are too far away from each other. “Ideally, you should create a chef’s triangle between your stove, sink, and refrigerator, so that they are all within a few feet from one another,” she says. “Installing those three primary work elements close to each other—but not too close—makes the kitchen more efficient and easier to use, while cutting down on unnecessary steps.” There’s no doubt that a kitchen island is the best way to implement the work triangle in your own space, with a sink forming the point between the fridge and stove.
Improperly wiring kitchen outlets
There’s also a safety mistake you should avoid when designing or redesigning a kitchen: improperly wiring all of your kitchen outlets to 15 amp breakers, according to builder Mike Jackson, another one of the hosts of Married to Real Estate. “Kitchens should have at least two to three accessible outlets on dedicated 20 amp outlets—and preferably, all of the kitchen counter outlets should be on a dedicated 20 amp outlet,” he explains. “These outlets should be on an Arc fault and ground fault circuit protector to prevent electrical fires or injuries.” Though DIY projects are a great way to keep the costs of a major kitchen remodel down, be sure to only take on those that you’re sure won’t result in a long term safety concern.
Trying to find online deals for critical items
Pamela O’Brien, principal designer at Pamela Hope Designs, in Houston, warns against looking for bargains online as it relates to critical items like plumbing and appliances.
“Currently there are significant delays and a large amount of damage in shipping,” O’Brien explains. “How will the online vendor handle a dented refrigerator that was dropped off in front of your home?” Another concern is accurate lead times. She notes that “even high-quality vendors are having trouble keeping information up-to-date on their websites and items advertised as ‘in stock, ready to ship’ may not be available for months or at all.”
She recommends ordering from a trusted vendor—ideally, someone you can contact directly if there are delays or the item arrives damaged. “Waiting on a key part or item can waylay your entire construction schedule,” she adds. Whether you’re going for high-end ceramic tiles or classic budget-friendly subway tiles, be thoughtful about where you’re purchasing from before you pull the trigger.
Failing to plan for deliveries
When you’re ordering parts, supplies, and construction materials from various sources, O’Brien says you need a plan for when and how these items will arrive—and where you will store them. As she elaborates, “With timelines extended out for many items, you might end up with a countertop that you have to purchase now, but won’t have appliances for eight months, so what will you do with the countertop in the meantime?”
O’Brien also points out that some items arrive in large boxes, crates, or even on pallets. “Can you accept palletized deliveries at your home? Many of us can’t,” she adds. If a truck leaves your new refrigerator at the curb, she says it’s up to you to get it into your home. Sometimes going this more DIY route can drive up your kitchen remodel cost in the long run, even if you’re able to get a smaller sticker price when ordering direct.
However, O’Brien says you have more flexibility if you order from an appliance, plumbing, and lighting showroom. “They will receive and store your goods and deliver them to you when you are ready, often at no additional cost.” Also, if there’s any damage, she says the showroom is responsible for getting a replacement or substitute.
Assuming you can just paint your cabinets
Painting your existing kitchen cabinets (or even the fridge) can help you save a lot of money. However, Lanna Ali-Hassan, owner and principal designer at Beyond the Box Interiors in Washington, DC, says there are several important questions you need to ask yourself before you go this route. “Is the current kitchen layout functional? Is the door style outdated? Are the cabinets made from a material that can be painted?”
If you compromise on functionality and style, she warns that you may regret your decision in a few years. “If you do move forward, it is important to prep the cabinets properly or the paint might not adhere well,” Ali-Hassan adds. Custom cabinetry can be expensive compared to working with what’s already in place, but it could be a worthwhile spend if you’d like them to be a focal point in the space.
Being too trendy
While we all like to keep up with the latest trends, Ali-Hassan warns that interior design trends, by definition, are here today and gone tomorrow. “It is important to not incorporate too many trendy items into the design unless they can easily be swapped out in a few years,” she says. “Larger items, such as cabinetry and even countertops, should be a style that is somewhat timeless so you don’t have to endure a major remodel once the trend fades away.” Ali-Hassan recommends focusing on tile backsplash, cabinet hardware, and lighting fixtures for your trendy choices.
For example, you may want to avoid using too many open shelves. “They are trendy and look nice and clean when you see them online, but the reality is, you are always going to need more storage than you think. You don’t want to see a lot of the kitchen items displayed on an open shelf,” says Nastaran Mousavi, partner and principal architect at Studio Banaa in San Francisco. She recommends putting a few above the sink or close to a window to hold some plants, but otherwise relying on cabinets with doors for your storage needs.
Using overly trendy pieces may limit the resale value of your home, if prospective buyers immediately envision themselves needing to spend money giving the kitchen a facelift. To help avoid being overly influenced by of the moment kitchen trends, be sure to look at a wide variety of inspiration images from over the decades and pick out the details that feel true to your personal tastes and styles, not just to our historical moment.
Underestimating storage
Most people underestimate storage space in general, according to John Starck, CEO and president of Showcase Kitchens in Manhasset, New York. “Aside from the obvious need for large storage areas for pots and pans and small kitchen appliances, like blenders, most homeowners miscalculate space needed for other items.” He recommends looking for ways to add storage spaces, like pull-out spice racks flanking the range, or under-counter storage in the kitchen island.
When you’re preparing for your kitchen makeover, take stock of the amount of storage you currently use, and if possible, plan in a little extra space should you ever procure additional countertop appliances that’ll take up residence in your cupboards.
Not having enough clearance
More than likely, you’re going to have appliances (an air fryer, gourmet coffee maker, fancy stand mixer, etc.) on the kitchen countertops. “Make sure you allow enough height between the top of the counter and bottom of the upper cabinets,” Mousavi advises. “The typical height is 18 inches, but you may have to go up to 20 inches to allow for some taller appliances, plus some room to access the top of the appliance.”
But that’s not the only type of clearance you need to think about. “Make sure you can open the dishwasher without blocking access to the sink, and you can open your oven without blocking flow in the kitchen,” says Sarah Gaffney, design manager and project designer at Next Stage Design in San Jose, California. “Another issue is cabinet doors opening against each other; clearances are a technical detail that some DIYers don’t consider when designing a space, but it has a huge impact on the functionality of a kitchen.”
Taking these small measurements is important too in the matter of choosing and installing lighting, whether it be pendant lights or task lighting, make sure you consider how height will impact the functionality and feeling in the areas they illuminate.
Scheming up creative kitchen design ideas can be fun, but it’ll prove more stressful than expected if you ignore the practical matters of laying out your space.
