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January 2012 - Upcoming Events :: 5 Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid :: Latest Project Photos - Kitchen & Fireplace :: Someone You Should Know

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5 Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes to Avoid

11.22.11, BuildDirect

The thing about transforming spaces as important as your kitchen is that there are a lot of details that go into to ensuring success. And with details often come complications and oversights that a homeowner may not have taken into account while dreaming of the ideal kitchen remodel.

Luckily, kitchen remodeling expert Tracy Tesmer is here to outline 5 common pitfalls that arise during the process, with a view of helping you avoid them.

The kitchen may be the most used room in your home. Whether you're preparing meals, helping children with homework at the table or talking about your day at the island or bar, the kitchen serves as a versatile space. This room's versatility makes its design all the more important and, of course, there are some mistakes to avoid when it comes to designing your kitchen. Here are 5:

1. Beginning construction too soon

There are some home improvement projects that you can start right away. Designing a kitchen is not one of them. No matter how much you may like that kitchen design displayed in the store or showcased in the pages of a magazine, you must plan, plan and plan some more.

This careful planning should not only include how you would like your kitchen to look and features to include but also measurements. By taking some extra time in the planning phase, you'll save time and money in the end. Call your design and remodeling experts if you need help.

2. Doing it all yourself

Perhaps the easiest way to add to the cost of a design project is by having to go back and fix or change aspects of the project. That's why certain details of a remodeling project are best left to professionals.

For example, if you have never installed countertops, don't start now. While you may think your time and budget will be better off, it will be far more costly when a professional has to come in and rectify mistakes. This does not mean you can't perform many tasks yourself. Maybe you enjoy painting; if so, paint your kitchen's walls or customize aspects of your kitchen with your artwork. Or maybe you have experience installing floors; if so, undertake that job in your own kitchen.

3. Not leaving enough space

Space is a top priority for an open, comfortable kitchen area but, considering all the appliances, furniture and many other items that come to call your kitchen their home, it may be easy to find yourself with limited walking space.

Leave plenty of room for traffic, particularly if your kitchen is large enough to include an island. Three to four feet is the ideal space between your counters and island. And, while on the subject of islands, don't install a sink in an island. Islands should be used as a workspace or sitting area. Most islands are not large enough to include a sink.

4. It's too dark

In addition to the standard overhead light or lights, opt for special lighting in your kitchen's workspace. If you're unable to install lights above the countertops, then place pot lights or track lighting even with the edge of the counter to ensure the lights hit where you are working. Make sure you have lighting over the sink, too. If your kitchen has an island, be sure the island is well lit.

5. Underestimating drawer and cabinet space for kitchenware

While some kitchenware can be placed above in a pot and pan hanging rack, you'll undoubtedly have more utensils that need a space to stay when not being used. Plan for plenty of drawer and cabinet space, of all sizes, when designing your kitchen. Helpful tip: drawer organizers and smart storage utensils can help you best utilize your drawer and cabinet space.

source: http://blog.builddirect.com/5-kitchen-remodeling-mistakes-to-avoid/

 

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Solid Wood Floors, Inc.

Solid Wood Floors has over 50 years combined experience in the hardwood flooring industry; in both new contruction and remodeling. They specialize in traditional sand-in-place flooring with solid hardwoods. They also refinish or add to existing floors. Solid Wood Floors, Inc. is happy to serve you with the installtion of solid pre-finished or engineered flooring.

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