When your kitchen’s layout and lack of counter space is just not working for you anymore, it may be time to consider remodeling.
While it can be an expensive undertaking, if the heart of your home is not functional it creates a drag on the rest of your house and how everyone feels while they’re there.
Given the expense involved, this kind of overhaul is something you’ll want to get right the first time, and some traps are all too easy to fall into, particularly if you don’t have a lot of room.
Working with a professional kitchen designer is one way to avoid these blunders. Even if you are, though, it’s a good idea to keep track of what they’re doing so you’re certain everything will function the way you want it to.
Changing the layout when it isn’t necessary. You may feel so frustrated with what you have that you can’t wait to blow it up and start from scratch, but take some time to consider some less drastic options. If storage is the issue, consider what roomier cabinets, hooks and shelves will do.
Not measuring your new appliances. Consumers do this surprisingly often, assuming there are standard sizes or they have more (or less) room than they actually do. Make sure your new range or refrigerator won’t jut into your pathway and make your space more cramped.
Putting an island where it just won’t fit. This coveted feature can supplement your workspace, and in some cases double as a kitchen table, but don’t try to shoehorn one in if there isn’t going to be at least 40 inches of clear space around the front and back, especially if the kitchen gets a lot of pass-through traffic.
Leaving the lighting for last. Having the right mix of task and ambient lighting is more important in the kitchen than virtually anywhere else in your home, so keep illumination in mind every step of the way.
Choosing designs incompatible with the rest of your home. Unless this is the first phase of a long-term plan to transform your overall décor from traditional to contemporary or vice versa, choose a scheme that harmonizes with your overall décor.
