3 Kitchen Renovation Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
We get it, sometimes you want to DIY your renovations. But after countless blunders and calls for help, we want to help you avoid common pitfalls that happen oh-to-often in the renovation game. Here’s our top three kitchen reno mistakes – and how to avoid them.
1. Misaligned plumbing and gas lines
One of the most fundamental aspects of a kitchen is having it actually work – there’s no point putting all your effort into an expensive kitchen renovation only to have your stove not turn on, or your kitchen sink fail to spout water. If you’re simply upgrading your kitchen’s style, but keeping the original footprint, you should be good to go with your existing plumbing and gas lines. However, if you’re moving anything around e.g. placing the sink or stove in a different place, you may need to have your lines altered or have new ones created entirely.
It's important to note that plumbing and gas lines need to be fitted by a qualified professional – so no DIY on this one! But it’s also key that you consider this aspect before opting for a complete footprint overhaul. If you do want to change your kitchen layout, make sure you consult a professional prior to finalising your plans, and then get them in to do the work before your fixtures go in. Give everything a test run before you complete your set up – trust us, it’s the worst feeling in the world to finish your kitchen and then realise you need to pull it all apart!
2. Bench height blunders
If you’re getting a fully fabricated kitchen kit, you’ll find that all your benches and cupboards match. However, if you’re putting together a custom set, mixing and matching old cupboards with new, or using a second-hand kit, you could find that there are alignment issues with your benchtops. The biggest problem… having them the same height!
If you’re a perfectionist like us, it will drive you crazy to have one bench even 10mm higher than another. We recommend measuring all your cupboards and benches prior to installation, so you can cut the bottom off any cupboards or frameworks before they’re set. Have a look in the box before you do this though – some kits will come with adjustable feet. Win! Keep in mind that any uneven or sloped ground will also affect your final bench height. Remember, measure twice, cut once!
3. Doors stuck shut
Have you ever seen the home improvement memes where someone has installed a cupboard or door, only to find that they can’t open it? This is all too common in kitchens, where lots of cupboards means lots of room for error. To avoid ending up in our Thursday meme round-up, make sure that all your cupboards are able to be opened and used easily, before making final installations. Our advice:
Triple check your plans to make sure that you haven’t put a cupboard in an area that just plain won’t work
Give your drawers and doors a test run before drilling them in
Make sure you drill all your doors on the right way!
Do you have a renovation blunder story to share? Comment below – we’ll have a laugh and help others avoid your mistake! And, if you’d rather avoid the hassle altogether, get in touch for a FREE consultation and site assessment today, for any room in the house.
Peter Trama | Founder & Operational Manager
Trama Restorations is Goulburn's leading historic restoration specialist. From historic work to modern renovation, our aim is to renovate, restore and renew spaces.
Ready for your next home-improvement or commercial property project? Get started with a free consultation today!