3 Kitchen Renovation Traps You Should Be Aware Of
When it comes to renovating in Australia, kitchens are prime targets. According to a 2017 survey completed by Houzz, the kitchen is the space most likely to receive a renovation. This isn’t surprising when you think about how much time is spent in the kitchen by every member of the family.
But while there’s nothing quite like a freshly renovated kitchen, there are some common kitchen renovation pitfalls that every homeowner should be aware of.
Avoiding these 3 renovation traps can save you time, save you money and help you achieve the ideal kitchen renovation:
1. Kitchen Renovation Trap #1 – Bad Design
Designing a new kitchen may seem like a straightforward process – after all, it’s your kitchen and you know what you like. But it’s essential that your kitchen renovation strikes a balance between style and functionality. You’ll quickly forget how amazing your new kitchen looks if it lacks some essentials, such as adequate bench space, good lighting and sufficient storage.
Kitchen design used to focus heavily on the ‘work triangle’ concept: the idea that you should be able to trace a triangle between where you store the food, cook the food and prepare the food. But this principle has slowly started to evolve, with a stronger emphasis now on creating usable zones within the kitchen.
The easiest way to avoid this renovation trap is to consult with a kitchen design expert right from the beginning.
2. Kitchen Renovation Trap #2 – DIY Reliance
If reality TV has taught Australian’s anything it’s that just about anyone can pull off a successful DIY project. But the true reality is that there are still a few essential elements that you need to consider before you embark on a DIY kitchen renovation: time, skill, cost and responsibility.
Taking on a full-scale kitchen renovation is a big job. You’ll need to order materials, coordinate licensed trades (for work which legally needs to be completed by a plumber, electrician or gas fitter), carry out demolition work, buy tools…not to mention the actual work of installing the new kitchen.
Some homeowners will rely on flatpack kitchens to make this process easier, but there’s still the flooring, the splashbacks, the benchtops and the appliance installations to consider. If you’re unsure about your ability to take on such a big project, then it’s often more cost-effective to engage a professional.
This will avoid any costly mistakes or lengthy delays which could result if you’re not 100% sure of what needs to be done.
3. Kitchen Renovation Trap #3 – Changing Your Mind
There’s nothing wrong with changing your mind early on in the design phase. After all, someone may recommend a fantastic new product, a gorgeous colour or an ingenious design feature that you weren’t previously aware of. But changing your mind once the work is underway could end up totally blowing your budget.
Even seemingly small design changes could be costly if they require alterations in the plumbing and electrical or if products have to be returned to suppliers.
This is another reason why it’s beneficial to have kitchen renovation experts on board from day 1, as they can talk you through the entire process and make sure you’re 100% happy before work gets underway.
