Recently, the team at Hestan and I had a deep discussion about the pitfalls to avoid when renovating your kitchen. With their expertise in manufacturing appliances and cookware and my #KKDL experience in designing thousands of kitchens over the years, we rounded up some of our most important tips. We hope you find them useful as you plan your kitchen design.
Planning a renovation project and don’t know where to begin? You’re not the only one. As more homeowners rethink the look and functionality of their kitchen spaces, several questions arise. Fortunately, Hestan Design Partner Kerrie Kelly is here to help you avoid the common (and often costly) mistakes of a remodel gone wrong.
Not planning out your storage: When designing a new kitchen, consider all of the items you will need to store such as pots, pans, cookie sheets, cutting boards, dinnerware and your favorite linens. Measure out your drawers and doors, especially in lower cabinetry to ensure those tall stock pots have plenty of clearance when all is said and done.
Overlooking how the space will be used: In kitchens big and small, it is always important to think about how you will use and move throughout your kitchen on a daily basis. Having room to store all of your items is important but you will also want to make sure you have ample counterspace for work and prep activities.
Forgetting the electrical: Outlets and ample lighting might be the last thing on your mind when considering all of the other decisions that come into play when remodeling a kitchen. However, don’t forget about all of those appliances that you love to use every day. Plan for outlets on the perimeter of the kitchen and if you are incorporating an island, consider placing a few outlets there as well. If you have a pantry, create a countertop area with outlets to be able to hide and use those appliances while keeping your counters free of clutter. For lighting, think layers—recessed lights, under cabinet lighting and pendant lighting—if your kitchen allows. When it comes to these elements, the more the better.
Trying to DIY: There are a ton of DIY and remodel TV shows out there that make doing-it-yourself look easy and glamorous. However, going at it alone could end up ultimately costing you more time, money and mistakes than you bargained for. A good contractor has made the mistakes, learned from them and knows what not to do on your project. They also typically have a team of subcontractors that can address your plumbing, electrical, and crucial details, while they tackle the structural and permitting process. We suggest interviewing multiple contractors and finding one that you trust to get the job done.
Foregoing a design professional: Visiting showrooms and shopping for the “pretty” can be fun for some people, but how those materials and finishes ultimately come together can end up being overlooked. There is true value in hiring a professional designer that has access to thousands of products you may not even now exist. They also have that design eye that can help you see the bigger picture and ensure the project is done right the first time.
Looking for the perfect products to center in your new kitchen? Start building your custom Hestan kitchen today!
