1. NOT PURGING YOUR STUFF BEFORE YOU REMODEL
There's never a bad time to declutter your kitchen, but a good purge before you renovate is as good a time as any.
2. NOT CHOOSING A DURABLE COUNTERTOP MATERIAL
Our kitchen countertops arguably work harder than any type of surface in the home, so it's crucial you don't cut corners by opting for a non-durable material. While natural stones like marble have a certain degree of luxury, they can be seriously hard to maintain since they're highly susceptible to staining and etching. For a longer-lasting countertop, consider more durable stones like quartz, or an engineered stone that's made to last.
3. NOT CHOOSING A DURABLE MATERIAL FOR YOUR PLUMBING FIXTURES
In a similar vein, make sure you choose a long-lasting material when it comes to plumbing fixtures such as your kitchen sink and faucets. As much as we love the trend for unlacquered brass, these untreated materials are notoriously difficult to maintain since they naturally tarnish over time.
4. CHANGING THE ENTIRE LAYOUT
'When renovating an existing kitchen or setting up a new one, a substantial cost contributor involves relocating plumbing, electrical, and gas connections, as these tasks necessitate the expertise of a professional,' explains Ronke. This means that unless you absolutely have to, it's best to avoid remapping your entire kitchen.
5. SKIMPING ON CABINETRY
Kitchen cabinets often come as an afterthought, seen as a purely aesthetic contribution rather than valued for the practical purpose they serve, but choosing the best quality cabinets can make all the difference to the overall functionality of your space.
6. INSTALLING ENERGY-INTENSIVE APPLIANCES
'The kitchen is often the highest traffic area in the house, offering day-to-day functionality as well as an area of relaxation, socializing, and entertainment, and can therefore be a big drain on energy and water resources,' explains Ronke. 'With sustainable, water-saving kitchen and bathroom products now more affordable and accessible than ever, we encourage homeowners to think of the long-term savings that such fittings provide, as well as being less impactful on our environment.'
7. NOT USING SPACE-SAVING STORAGE SOLUTIONS
'Kitchens are inherently about storage, so ensuring that the essentials have a spot that's easy to access is absolutely critical for functionality,' says Ashley. We're often too quick to prioritize the aesthetic aspects of a kitchen that we overlook the bare bones of kitchen storage, but getting it right is key to having the most efficient culinary space you can.