When you are planning on doing anything to your home, there can be an overwhelming sense of excitement , immediately followed by feelings of dread and anxiety. The drastic shift in emotions is perfectly normal. Especially when you consider all that goes into any given project. Here are 5 tips to help you get through your kitchen remodel.

Pinterest

Remember that everything you see on Pinterest may or may not work in real life or in your situation. Ideas are great. Images of Ideas are even better, however a common mistake is thinking that just because it works in someone else’s kitchen and looks beautiful it will work in your kitchen. There are things that are just not practical and although they look pretty , the homeowner knows more than the picture reflects. Function plays a huge role. Think about how any of these particular elements will work on a day to day basis before you implement something you found on line.

Appliances

Of course when you are remodeling your kitchen, changing out those old and dingy appliances is usually the first thing on your list . With good reason. Hello convection steam oven , hello perfectly chilled veggies, hello beverage center. We definitely have been dreaming the dream about our “dream” kitchens for some time for sure. So its easy to get carried away in our dreams vs reality and what makes sense in real life. Not all appliances are created equally. The biggest mistakes that homeowners make is buying something just for the name. We all want the big name appliances with their signature designs and trademark features, but depending on how we use our kitchen everyday , different brands offer different benefits.

Spend the time asking yourself what are the 3 things I do in this kitchen the most, or would do if my kitchen functioned better. Ask if these brands offer any of the features that would make how you use the kitchen the most work for you. You will be amazed at where this road will lead you.

Islands

The Island seems harmless in and of itself but too small and you think its one of those apartment style roll away islands and too big and it’s a deserted island. The island needs to be proportionate to 2 things: The size of your kitchen and the size of the walkway between the island and perimeter cabinets. When the island is too large everyone knows it , because they immediately start to wonder , what am I going to do with all of this space , or how will I reach the middle of this thing? The island is best used for prepping food and entertaining your guests. Try to avoid, if possible, putting your cooktop in the island. In some kitchens it cannot be avoided, but if you can , by all means please try to.

Hardware

The style of hardware is becoming more and more important in a kitchen remodel. The main mistake that is made with hardware is in 3 distinct areas. The style , the scale and the placement. Often times the style and color of hardware is selected simply because it was seen in another kitchen and looked great , so lets order it. Oops there is a mistake waiting to happen. There are a number of factors that make hardware look good in any particular kitchen. So when making your selection, think what sort of look are you trying to accomplish . Would something chunky and dark add or take away from this look. The placement or application can make your hardware look wonky. Do not use regular pulls on large appliances. Hardware is designed for certain applications. It is not a one size / placement fits all. This is a common mistake made. Scale is what you see when you look across the kitchen and notice various items that are either too big , too small , or just right. Designers will play the roll of Goldie Locks in selecting things that are “juuuuuussst right” . So it will require a review of several options to get this correct.

Copy Cats

When making changes to your home wether you are building from scratch or renovating, trying to replicate a copy of what you have seen is a way to stress you out beyond compare. Each project will be unique by nature. The same space , material , and light may not be available or in range and when this happens you spend countless hours trying to find a “copy cat” replacement. It is nice to gather inspiration from other kitchens and take elements from one place or another , however, stay focused on your needs and wants to get a result that is true to you. Its a Cliche but Cliches are Cliche’s because they remain commonly true. So we encourage you to be you. Pick your favorite colors, pick your favorite cabinet style. You will be much happier with the outcome!!!

Renovating your home should be fun, even through some of its challenges which is why we exist here at La Casa Azul Design. 

We specialize in Custom home builds and renovating older spaces and turning them into your dream.  If you’re looking to start a building or home renovation project and don’t know where to start, we’d love to help!

We offer complimentary calls to anyone looking to begin a build or renovation project that doesn’t know where to start.  We’ll talk with you about your vision and the goals for your home, and offer our best services to get you on the way to your well-appointed home.

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