Are you dreaming of a kitchen where friends and family enjoy mouthwatering meals and also love your entertaining style? Many homeowners undertake poorly planned renovations and end up with inefficient kitchens, thousands of dollars wasted, and have to hire a professional to fix their mistakes. We sat down with 5 Designers and asked them for their best tips to avoid a kitchen renovation nightmare. So before you get started, take a look at these designers’ tips and see how to plan, before you start demolition!

5 Designers Share How to Avoid a Dream Kitchen Renovation Nightmare

A well thought out kitchen takes planning and professional advice

Image via: Cheryl Kees Clendenon – Interior Designer, In Detail Interiors

Ensure You Aren’t Remodeling For Only Today’s Trends

“When planning a new kitchen renovation, take a good look at your family’s current lifestyle needs, rethink old habits and design the kitchen with an eye to the future.” – Susan Serra – President, Susan Serra Associates, Inc.

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is to only follow current trends. Unless you can afford to remodel your kitchen every year or two, steer clear of designer trends that are unconventional. Trends are always changing, and what may be popular today will not be popular tomorrow. Renovate your kitchen to suit your habits and lifestyle and you’ll never regret your decision. Often times bright colors, new materials that haven’t been tested expansively, and new technologies need a chance to have stayed the test of time in kitchens. Consider hiring a Kitchen Designer who can help you weed out today’s trends but still stay modern and classic.

Remodel your kitchen according to your lifestyle.

Image via: Susan Serra, President, Susan Serra Associates, Inc

Prioritize Functionality in your Kitchen Remodel

In the past kitchens were considered just for their functionality. Today, they are multifunctional rooms where homeowners prepare food, entertain, the kids hang out and of course eat. Kitchens are the focal points in homes and a large part of modern households. When refurbishing your kitchen, give priority to function. The layout you choose should be determined by the way your family uses your kitchen on a daily basis. Keep in mind that you won’t renovate your kitchen again for many years to come so it is important to make it functional. Interior Designer Linda Merrill from Linda Merrill says it best, “Kitchens can be beautiful spaces, but never forget that they are workspaces first and foremost.”

Thoroughly Plan in Advance

Interior Design Consultant, Michelle Cortizo of Cortizo Interiors says, “A kitchen renovation can require more thoughtful decisions than any other room in the house, planning is key!” A kitchen remodel is a big undertaking. Before you start the project, strategize. Note down what you want it to accomplish for you and your family and guests. You can write a detailed list specifying your goals for renovating and create an idea folder that you collect kitchens, products, and architectural details you find appealing.

For the best kitchen renovation prepare in advance and think through your options

Image via: Michelle Cortizo – Cortizo Interiors and BLANCO.

Invest in the Best Sink

According to Interior Designer, Cheryl Kees Clendenon from In Detail Interiors, you should “Buy the best sink you can afford because you are not replacing it without replacing the countertops too!” Her words hit home because the sink is one of the most overlooked kitchen fixtures. When most homeowners refurbish their kitchens, they replace their cabinetry and countertops but forget to replace the sinks. While the kitchen is the heart and soul of the home, the sink is its centerpiece. It handles most of the daily chores as it is the only workspace used to prepare meals and to clean up. Consider what type of sink will grow with your family and will help make prepping and cleaning easier than your current sink.

A quality sink from BLANCO is a worthwhile investment in your kitchen remodel

Image via: Cheryl Kees Clendenon, In Detail Interiors

Don’t Just Replicate your Kitchen from a Magazine

Many people find it easier to copy other kitchen designs when renovating their kitchens. But interior designer Jamie Gold, Kitchen & Bath Designer from JGKitchens, warns against it. Jamie says, “Before you renovate your kitchen, know that the latest fad you loved in a movie or magazine may not look right in your home or work well for your household.” The design you want to replicate can be out of your price range or be incompatible with your home’s structure. While interior design websites and magazines are full of ideas, the design you choose should be perfect for your space. Consider hiring a design professional who can look at your specific space and help you choose what fits your needs.

Kitchen renovation mistakes come in all sizes. Some are small and unnoticeable while others are big and visible. But they all have one thing in common: they can be avoided. If you are remodeling your kitchen and want to avoid a renovation nightmare, look to these designers’ tips to help you save money, energy, and time. Your kitchen is the heart of the home – take the time to make it right for you and your wallet.

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