12 Remodel Mistakes To Avoid When Renovating a Kitchen Or Bath

As high-traffic, high-profile areas, kitchens and bathrooms tend to receive the most attention when it comes to home remodeling and renovation projects. This is particularly true of homeowners who are planning to put their properties up for sale, as conventional wisdom suggests that new, well-planned kitchens and bathrooms are particularly attractive to home buyers.

Investing in kitchen and bath home improvement can pay big dividends, for its own sake and in the form of an elevated resale value, but it’s essential to avoid pitfalls that could eat into your profits. Common errors can be very costly, so be sure to steer clear of these remodeling mistakes when renovating your kitchen or bathroom.

12 Remodel Mistakes To Avoid When Renovating a Kitchen Or Bath

6 Common Kitchen Renovation Mistakes

These six common errors can sink your efforts to makeover your kitchen:

• Prioritizing form over function. Some homeowners get drawn in by the dazzle of flashy products that aren’t functional. Sure, that marble counter looks great, but what’s the use if you can’t get it wet?
• Overlooking the details. Small details like divided drawers and pull-out pantries can add a great deal of efficiency and value. Don’t forget to include them in your plans.
• Failing to honor the kitchen “work triangle.” The sink, stove, and main counter area should form what’s known as the “work triangle.” This proven layout is so effective that it’s a virtual auto-include in any renovation plan.
• Wasting valuable storage space. Most homes simply don’t have enough storage space, and that’s more true of kitchens than any other room. Look for ways to transform unused or open space into storage areas without cluttering up your work space.
• Not enough lighting or counter space. Bright, overhead task lighting is crucial in the kitchen, and it should be prioritized above mood lighting that’s purely stylistic. Also, it’s a critical mistake to skimp on counter space—a kitchen can’t function properly without it.
• Renovating before choosing appliances. Choose your appliances before you start the actual renovation to make sure they’ll fit in their assigned spaces, and that their styles and finishes match your other design choices.

Be proactive during the planning phases to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes that have cost other homeowners thousands of dollars.

6 Bathroom Renovation Errors To Avoid

Here are a half-dozen common errors people make when renovating their bathrooms:

• Emphasizing trends at the expense of practicality. Many homeowners have jumped on a trendy bandwagon, only to see their choices fall out of favor and attract the scorn rather than the admiration of home buyers. Always put practicality ahead of trendiness.
• Inadequate task lighting. Make sure to have plenty of bright overhead light in task areas, such as the main vanity mirror and shower.
• Wasted space. A pedestal sink might look nice, but wouldn’t it be better to make the most of the unused room beneath the sink by having a storage cabinet occupy that space instead? If space and storage are at a premium, be sure to plan accordingly.
• Failing to create “zones.” Choose materials based on their specific function in the bathroom. For instance, your shower area will see more water and humidity than the toilet area. As such, you’ll need to make a different set of choices. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to bathrooms, so don’t try to force something where it doesn’t fit.
• Cluttering the bath or shower. It’s always a bad idea to crowd the entryway to your bath or shower. Aim to keep this area as open as possible.
• Poor color and pattern choices. Bathrooms should imbue a sense of cleanliness and calm, which is why white-dominated black-and-white schemes and cool colors like blues and greens are ever-popular. If in doubt, stick to these classic options for your paint job.

As with your kitchen, plan ahead when planning a bathroom remodel to make sure you account for these possible pitfalls.

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