It’s exciting to plan your kitchen renovation and finally having all of the inclusions you once dreamed of. However, there is more to think about than what’s on your wish list. It’s incredibly important to think about functionality and how your kitchen designs will impact this.
By knowing what these considerations are, you can avoid making common kitchen design mistakes.
Poorly Designed Kitchen Island
From a design point of view, a kitchen island is an essential feature of your kitchen. The benefits of a good kitchen island range from offering more functional spaces for storage and meal preparation to providing a venue for socialising and informal family snacks, lunches and gatherings. Despite these advantages, many homeowners and buyers are faced with poorly designed kitchen islands that neither fit the space nor the purpose they’re intended for.
Like much kitchen cabinetry, installing a kitchen island is an expensive project in cost, time, and energy. Once done, you are unlikely ever to have it changed, so it is crucial to do it during your kitchen design stage! Take the time during your kitchen renovation or design to consider including kitchen islands with a balance of style and use. Pick a layout that complements the work zones of your kitchen and promotes good easy movement within the space. Selecting an extensive Island bench will restrict movement through your kitchen, particularly at busy periods such as mealtimes.
Not having adequate bench space
One common mistake homeowners make in their kitchen design is not including enough kitchen benchtop space. A benchtop, especially premium ones like a stone benchtop, is necessary for every modern kitchen if you consider the range of kitchen activities and appliances housed within that space. Most homebuyers seek an open horizontal surface area such as a kitchen island or breakfast bar to maximise space in their kitchen. More space is utilised by adding under bench appliances like an oven or a microwave and using much of the available kitchen space to house other kitchen cabinetry.
Inadequate storage space in your kitchen
Modern appliances and equipment take up much space, and if you should add the critical need to store food, you will find that your kitchen requires a lot of storage space. On the other hand, failing to include enough vital space means that appliances and cooking items have to take up space on your kitchen benchtops, cramp your kitchen, and limit areas to prepare and cook food. Such situations could result in your kitchens becoming unsafe and too cumbersome to clean or manage.
When planning your kitchen design or remodel, ensure you provide sufficient room to store the items and appliances you have at hand and the ones you intend to purchase shortly. You can also invest in drawers to build additional space in your kitchen and provide better accessibility and workability to your kitchen. Whether big or small, it is essential to keep your kitchen spacious enough for the activities you intend to carry out within its space.
Failing to install a splashback
It is common for many homeowners to try to save money during the kitchen design stage by installing a low-quality splashback or omitting it altogether both in the design and kitchen renovation. Including a quality stone splashback in the design of your dream kitchen will cost you extra at the outset but will save you time and effort in the future and repay you with a much better value on your kitchen and property. A premium item like a stone splashback is a strong visual element in any kitchen design. It should be included as an essential element during the planning of the design and not after.
Grease, grime and steam are constant during cooking and meal preparation in the kitchen. An advantage of installing a stone splashback, or one of tile or glass, above your kitchen benchtop, is that it reduces the ease of your cleaning. Therefore, a splashback is a more efficient and cost-effective option than simply having a painted wall above your counter benchtop.
Splurging on an excessively fashionable kitchen
The primary goal of any renovation to your home, including your kitchen renovation, should be to increase the comfort and value of your home for use and resale. For many homebuyers, the kitchen is an essential feature and usually is marketed as such, so pay attention to the styling and care of your kitchen. In picking colour mixes for your dream kitchen, think long term to get value for your investment. Avoid those trends and fashionable styles usually marketed on the pages and covers of magazines, as they tend to have a very short lifespan and go out of style quickly. Instead, consider a bold and clear colour scheme in your kitchen design. A common kitchen design mistake fails to match your kitchen remodel to complement the look and style of your home.
Conclusion
Every homeowner and buyer requires confidence in their homes’ design and a greater value in investment over time. Get in touch with our stone benchtop experts who can offer you some of the best advice to ensure you avoid these common mistakes we’ve mentioned.