Considering a kitchen remodel?
A kitchen remodel is one of the best things you can do to add value for your home, improve functionality, and regain the joy of cooking in your kitchen. At Reef Builders – one of the best home builders near me – we have designed and remodeled many kitchens, working with dozens of clients over the years. Before you begin the process of a kitchen remodel in Phoenix or Tempe, be sure to jot down these 5 common kitchen remodeling mistakes – and avoid them at all costs:
1. Inadequate Lighting
Many people do not realize the importance of lighting in a kitchen, taking for granted the simplicity of flipping a switch and it appears. Particularly as you are redesigning a kitchen, do not skip the important step of thinking through the layers of lighting your kitchen needs. You’ll want to incorporate overhead lighting for general light, task lighting which would be undercounter lights, cooktop lights, etc. that illuminate your work spaces, and accent lighting such as pendants or sconces. Each of these layers works in conjunction to keep your kitchen bright, beautiful, and functional.
2. DIY Overload
It’s easy to flip on HGTV, watch these DIY home flippers do their thing, and think, “I can do that too!” While some tasks may be very doable for you as a homeowner, it’s important to consider that your contractor or one of the best home builders near me will work each of these tasks together seamlessly as part of a bigger plan. If you haven’t ever attempted plumbing, electrical, tile work, etc. before, then you’re likely to have blindspots that can end up costing you thousands more to fix vs. just having your contractor complete the task in the first place.
3. Beauty Over Function
We all want the drop dead gorgeous, open concept kitchen that is an entertainer’s delight. However, if you plan to cook in it, don’t forget that it needs to be functional too! Functionality can be as simple as evaluating spacing in walkways to makes sure there is adequate space. Does the refrigerator and dishwasher open with ease? Are neighboring cabinets hit by an open refrigerator? Also consider the “kitchen triangle,” keeping the refrigerator, ovens/range, and sink easily accessible to one another and improving flow in the kitchen.
4. Penny Pinching on Small Upgrades
A kitchen remodel is a costly investment, and as you see the numbers climb, it can be daunting to think about adding little extras that will improve the functionality and aesthetics of the kitchen. For example, cabinets are a huge expense, so it can be tempting to cut out any extra customizations like pullouts, drawer inserts, corner lazy susan, spice racks, etc. Instead of focusing on the small numbers, think about the numbers as a whole. Chances are these simple upgrades are just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall cost of the project and will pay dividends down the road.
5. Choosing Appliances Late in the Game
Before you even begin the remodeling process, it’s imperative to go ahead and pick all of your desired appliances so that the design can properly accommodate them. Otherwise, you may fall in love with a refrigerator that simply doesn’t fit into your brand new cabinets, forcing you to settle for something less desirable.
If you’re considering a kitchen remodel in Phoenix or Tempe, give Reef Builders – one of the best home builders near me – a call today! Our team specializes in design-build, which means we thoroughly consider ever single possibility for your kitchen before construction begins, leaving you with less headaches throughout our seamlessly integrated process. And less headaches = to more time to enjoy your beautiful new kitchen.
