We spend a lot of time in our kitchens. After the pandemic took our restaurant dates away and made many of us rekindle our love for cooking, we're spending more time in them than ever. With summer weather finally rolling in, it's understandable that Winnipeggers and readers from beyond Manitoba would consider doing some work on this specific part of the house. Kitchen renovations are a great way to increase quality of life now and investment value later. But remodeling a kitchen can be a dicey undertaking, one prone to some critical missteps. Avoid the mistakes people make when renovating kitchens by reading ahead for some helpful hints.
Don’t Overestimate Your Space
Kitchen islands are an effective and attractive way to increase storage, surface, and seating in your kitchen. Remember, however, that if you're going to pull up chairs to your island, you need more maneuvering space than the dimensions of the island itself may account for. Make sure to consider the dimensions of your island and kitchen before you commit, as well as determining the viability of rerouting water, gas, and electricity to the island.
Match Décor To Appliances, Not Vice Versa
You've heard of not putting the cart before the horse. Don't put the counter before the refrigerator, either. Kitchen appliances are the backbone of the workspace, the whole room's raison d'être. Countertops and cabinets are important, too, but it's much easier to design those around the fridge, dishwasher, and range than the other way around. Don't back yourself into an aesthetic corner when it's time to pick new appliances.
Consider the Gestalt of It All
Maybe you want to do your cooking in a modern art installation. That's your prerogative. But most renovators would do well to pursue a harmonious design between the colors of cabinets, counters, and flooring. A common mistake people make when renovating kitchens is falling in love with disparate design elements on their own with no consideration for how they come together in the finished product. Such mismatches set the stage for stressful and distracted cooking—the last thing you want when you have dinner to concentrate on.
Don’t Do It All Yourself
Put down that sledgehammer. With the utility connections in your kitchen, a DIY renovation can become a DIY disaster in a hurry. While you may have the design sensibilities to envision a perfect new kitchen in your existing home, you may not have the technical know-how and requisite tools to realize it yourself. Don't be afraid to get the professionals involved for a safe and successful renovation.
About the Publisher
Bo Kauffmann is a residential real estate agent with over 18 yrs experience in helping buyers and sellers achieve their goals. Inducted into the REMAX Hall of Fame in 2010 and receiving the REMAX Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, Bo has sold over 500 houses and condos in the Greater Winnipeg market. He is an accredited buyer representative (A.B.R.) and a Luxury Home Marketing Specialist.
Bo provides exceptional service to First-Time Home-Buyers, Seniors looking to downsize and Home Sellers of all ages.
He can be reached easily By E-Mail or call/text him Call/Text Here
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