Studio M Kitchen & Bath

Cabinetry Design in Rio Verde, AZ

7 Tips to Avoid Kitchen Remodel Regrets

The dust has finally settled on your renovation; the paint on your trim has dried and the last lightbulb has been screwed into place. In what should be a moment of joy and relief, the LAST thing you want to find yourself doing while standing in your brand-new kitchen is second-guessing the choices you thought you made so carefully.

Regrets are part of life, but they should not be part of your kitchen remodel!

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a renovation and not take into account the expertise needed to create your dream kitchen. But the fact of the matter is, if you don’t have a design degree or years of experience under your belt, you might need some help.

Now before you get into a frenzy trying to cram 4+ years of design school knowledge into one ill-fated afternoon of internet searches, know that we are here to help! Our Studio M Kitchen & Bath designers have experience and expertise to spare and will guide you through your remodel so that you are left with the kitchen of your dreams AND no regrets.

Today we’ll discuss seven important considerations that will help you avoid common remodel regrets and share how we work to ensure that Studio M Kitchen & Bath clients have no qualms at the completion of their projects.

1. It’s important to discover your “Why” BEFORE you start

Don’t be fooled! What might seem like the most straightforward step in planning a remodel, discovering your “why” has tripped up even the most seasoned of homeowners.

Our designers have found that it is not uncommon for incoming clients to have a general idea of what they want for their remodel but struggle to articulate and prioritize the reasons that have driven them to desire a remodel in the first place.

For example, a client comes in and wants a new kitchen because they “want to get rid of their honey oak.” Of course, we can help with that! While honey oak may be the presenting problem, there are often additional reasons for doing the remodel that will ultimately impact the design direction. If a homeowner is planning to sell the home in a few years, the priorities will be different than if this is a “forever” home. A homeowner may be interested in a design that better suits their active family. Still others may be interested in features that support aging in place.

We recommend that you make a list of your “whys” when you’re planning to remodel your kitchen. This will help you stay focused when you start working with a designer and making decisions. Keeping the “whys” in mind will help ensure that the end result truly meets all of your needs and expectations. It also helps you and your designer stay on the same page.

2. Consider your lifestyle in your kitchen design

When embarking on a kitchen remodel, it’s important to share some lifestyle details with your designer. Kitchen and bath designers are experts in tactfully asking questions that may seem irrelevant (or even too personal) – until you see how the answers brilliantly inform the design of your new space. Here are just some of the questions your designer may ask: Who does most of the cooking in your home? Who does most of the clean-up in your home? Do all family members eat meals at the same time? How frequently do you entertain? If there are multiple adults in the home, do they all work in the kitchen at the same time? If there are children in the home, what accommodations should be made to keep them safe or to allow them to assist when appropriate? How tall are the primary users of the kitchen? Are they right- or left-handed? And the list goes on…

Without considering your lifestyle in your kitchen design, you could be left with annoying issues like shelves you can’t reach, not enough outlets for your appliances, or cramped walkways.

You can probably see where this is going. The more knowledge your designer has about your family and your lifestyle, the more tailored your kitchen will be to your needs. And you will have no regrets about working in your new kitchen.

3. Always check inside your walls before you start your remodel…. you might find something unexpected!

People think about the look of their future space but rarely stop to consider what may be lurking behind their walls that could hinder their project… A weight bearing wall perhaps? Suspicious looking insulation? Or maybe even a previous homeowner’s left behind junk?

While checking the inner contents of your wall may seem insignificant, this information is incredibly important for a designer to know when planning out your new kitchen, as it will ultimately lead to fewer mistakes or regrets in the long run.

In a recent Studio M project, Designer Danee Bohn had already created a cabinetry layout for her client when a pipe was found behind one of the walls. She had to work creatively to reconfigure her design, since it was in the clients’ best interest not to move the pipe.

“I had to think quickly on my feet to come up with a different solution for that area,” commented Danee.

Despite the change in design plans, Danee was able to use her expertise in design to work around the problem pipe and still gave the client their dream kitchen. But while she was able to fix this client’s problem, it’s easy to see how failing to check behind the sheetrock/plaster could be problematic when starting your renovation.

4. Over communicate with your designer and contractor throughout the process

One common mistake many people make when embarking on their kitchen renovation is not communicating enough with their designers and contractors throughout the process. There are many moving parts in your renovation and even though every member of your team is a rock star at his or her job, you can’t assume that everyone is always on the same page you are. When in doubt, always err on the side of over communication!

And if communicating isn’t your strong suit, don’t fret! Here at Studio M, we pride ourselves on our relationships with contractors and our ability to communicate efficiently with you and the whole team from start to finish.

Our Kitchen and Bath designer Danielle’s communication ability shined through when completing a recent out-of-state job in Arizona. Even though she couldn’t physically meet with the client or the contractors, she was able to execute the project with excellence and make sure the client was always informed and on the same page throughout the entire process.

Modern Scandinavian Kitchen Design

Project: Transitional Chic Kitchen

One of our most important pieces of advice when it comes to communication, is that if you feel that something is not right, at any point in the project, SPEAK UP! Our designers have many skills, but unfortunately, mind reading is not one of them. It is in your best interest and ours that you communicate your concerns as soon as they come up.

5. Be smart when choosing materials and appliances

To save or to splurge; that is the question!

This is a predicament many homeowners find themselves in when it comes to choosing which materials and appliances belong in their brand-new kitchens. And with hundreds of brands, products, and styles to choose from, all at different price points, the last thing you want to end up with is buyer’s remorse.

The simplest ways to avoid regret when selecting materials and appliances for your kitchen include doing your research, utilizing your designer’s expertise, minding your budget, and making choices based on your specific wants and needs. This approach will help you gauge where you can save money and where you can spend it.

As an example, Studio M offers several lines of cabinetry to choose from. While each line offers excellent quality, some lines offer more options than others. If you like what is offered in a lower-cost line, that might be a great way to save and still get the look you want. That same decision process can be used for many of your kitchen selections.

Another tool that can be used for these decisions is ranking the choices for each selection into “Good, Better, and Best” categories. Prices generally (but not always) follow this same pattern. Decide what your budget will support and refer back to your “Why” (See Tip 1) as a gut check. You might want to pay more for a specific countertop because it is your statement piece. If that countertop is a “best,” then perhaps you balance that cost out with something else that is “good.”

And if you’re unsure where to start, the Studio M showroom is the perfect place to explore many cabinetry and countertop displays and see a variety of plumbing, hardware, flooring, and appliance options for your new kitchen. Our designers are always on hand to provide expertise and point you in the right direction.

6. Consider integrated storage solutions

There’s no point in having a kitchen that’s designed for professional baking if the extent of your cooking is pasta and grilled cheese sandwiches. Just as there is no point to have a coffee bar and drawers dedicated to K-Cups^TM when all you drink is tea! You are the person that’s going to live and cook in your kitchen, so it should be designed with elements that are specific to you and your lifestyle.

If you have a kitchen that’s designed to suit someone else, chances are you won’t be happy with it in the long run.

When considering storage design, it’s important to think critically about how you want your space to function. Use a lot of spices? Consider installing a spice rack pull-out to keep your seasonings organized and accessible. Have a lot of clunky appliances? Then an appliance garage is a great solution to keep items like toasters and mixers on hand but out of sight!

Other popular storage solutions include integrated trash/recycle stations, pull-out drawers, tray dividers, cutlery dividers, and blind corner cabinet storage. But that’s not all.

There are many more options for further customization of your kitchen storage. Your designer can suggest creative storage solutions that meet your needs and fit your space. Some lesser-known options include stand mixer lifts, base cabinet pullouts with a knife block or utensil bins, U-shaped under sink pullouts, pullout towel bars, and a variety of wine organizers. While some of these can be added after your project is complete, most are best installed with your cabinetry to ensure proper fit and finish.

One way to help ensure that you have adequate storage in the places you need it is to do a kitchen inventory. Make a list of the things you need to keep handy in your kitchen, along with any special size constraints (e.g, the size of your stand mixer if you want to store it in a cabinet). And make sure to share this list with your designer.

To ensure that your new kitchen functions well for your home, your Kitchen & Bath designer will work with you to evaluate your specific needs and suggest appropriate storage solutions.

7. Get creative with lighting!

Here’s a bright idea (pun intended): Get innovative with the lighting in your kitchen!

If you don’t put enough thought into your kitchen’s lighting, you might end up with a dark workspace or stuck with a blasé overhead pendant that doesn’t suit your style.

When looking for the right lighting for your space, it is essential to consider functionality. Remember, your kitchen is more than just a beautifully designed room; you must actually be able to live and work in this space! And trust us, if the lighting in your kitchen is so dim that you can barely see your cutting board while you chop, it’s not functional.

Some options to consider are under-cabinet lighting, lighting within your cabinetry, and adequate overhead lighting to illuminate your sink area and any dark corners of your kitchen.

This upcoming Studio M project has a dark and moody color pallet, but in order to keep it bright and functional, the space is adorned with numerous creative lighting elements. This kitchen features integrated lights inside the panels of the cabinetry and drawers, and there are even lights embedded in the base of the island. These lighting elements not only add to the aesthetic of the space but increase its functionality by illuminating dark or dim areas of the kitchen so that the homeowner can cook with ease.

Whether it’s brightening up a dim workspace or adding visibility to your spice cabinet, your kitchen and bath designer will help you incorporate the perfect lighting features into your new space and make sure you’re not left in the dark.

Like we said, regrets are part of life, but here at Studio M, we want to ensure that they are never a part of your kitchen renovation! For more information on cabinetry design or to start a project with one of our Kitchen & Bath Designers, contact us!

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Leave a Comment:

Thomas Clarence says

It’s great that you mentioned that it is important to be smart when you are picking materials for a kitchen renovation. I would think that hiring a contractor would be a good thing to do before you plan anything else. A remodeling contractor would be able to help you figure out what materials would be best for your project.

beverly minyard says

I like your tip of considering storage design and how it will affect the overall look of your kitchen. My parents put their microwave under the counter of their island and so they don’t have to look at a microwave all the time and it saves storage. I want to do storage saves like this in my new home.

mingleteam says

That is great to hear that your parents did that! Our designers are creative and are able to design many different storage solutions to elevate your space. Thank you for checking out our blog!

Levi Armstrong says

It’s great that you mentioned that it’s important to share some lifestyle details with your designer when embarking on a kitchen remodel. I’m helping my best friend remodel her kitchen to make it much more convenient to cook. I’ll share this with her and help her research to come up with the perfect design. Thanks!

mingleteam says

Awesome, Levi! It’s always important to us to design your space for YOU! That way it will be functional and even more enjoyable. Thank you for checking out our blog!

Ariana Joseph says

Amazing tips! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Those are the great & useful tips that you have shared with us that are an important need to know before buying kitchen renovation accessories. Keep update more with us!

mingleteam says

Thank you for checking out our blog, Ariana!

Patrick Beverly says

Smart! Every person whose planning on remodeling should read this. Avoid hassle and regrets!

susan dowdy says

Thanks for telling us about the importance of solvency. Keep sharing this post more and more.

Kitchen Design says

A successful kitchen, in our perception, should be well-ventilated, practical, and spacious.

Eve Mitchell says

My husband and I are planning on remodeling our kitchen and bathroom because they are super old. It’s good to know that you should always check the interior of the walls before knocking them down. We’ll hire a professional to help us with this!

Jeff Carbine says

I loved it when you said that one common mistake many people make when embarking on their kitchen renovation is not communicating enough with their designers and contractors throughout the process. My wife plans to open a cooking blog. He wants me to look for a contractor to install it. I will be looking for the best home remodeling services in town.

Mats Wolff says

I want to get my kitchen remodeled as I just bought a new house. Its great when you said to communicate enough with designers and contractors throughout the process of remodeling. I would need to speak to a professional who can help me find a good kitchen remodeling service near my area. Thanks for the article!

Alfie Rowley says

Excellent blog you have posted. Thanks for sharing this informative blog with us.

Amy Saunders says

Oh my God! You know what? My favorite part of the article is when you said it is better to store a trash bin inside a cabinet as this would save valuable space in the kitchen. My parents are thinking of remodeling their kitchen and are looking for a complete setup to fulfil their daily needs. I’ll forward this article to them so that they make the right installation later.

Brenda Schrier says

A good kitchen design not only incorporates top-quality products and materials but also enhances the lifestyle of everyone who uses the kitchen, so we should research before choosing the appliances and materials.

But before doing any research, we should ask ourselves some questions like, What does a kitchen design mean to us? Do we need a luxurious kitchen? What is our budget?

Once we have answers, it will be much easier to research and pick the products like refrigerator, range hood, grill, microwave, or whatever we like to incorporate in our kitchen.

BTW, Great read. Thanks for posting! Keep writing quality stuff.

Eve Mitchell says

I loved your tip about thinking critically about how the storage would most benefit you. I’m hoping to remodel my kitchen in the next few months, and I seriously need more space. I’m sure there are smart hacks I can use to make it look and feel bigger.

Henry Killingsworth says

I like how you mentioned that it is a good idea to make a list of whys when you are wanting to remodel your kitchen. It could be a good idea to have a contractor inspect your kitchen when you are wanting to renovations. The contractor could help you figure out what things you might want to improve.

Amy Saunders says

Oh, yes. I definitely have to attest to your remark about opting for materials and appliance with solid durability as well as lengthy lifespan so we won’t have to remake our kitchen all over again. I’ll try to remember this trick so the end result will be something I truly love. My husband and I have been considering renovating our kitchen this fall to accommodate more food substances and ingredients.

Mats Wolff says

Its interesting when you said that a kitchen inventory is one approach to ensure that you have enough storage in the places where you need it. I want to get my kitchen remodeled as I just bought a new house. I would need to speak to a professional who can help me find a good kitchen remodeling service near my area. Thanks for the article!

Mats Wolff says

It’s interesting that you said that keeping a kitchen inventory is one way to make sure you have enough storage in the locations you need it. As I recently purchased a new home, I want to redo my kitchen. I’d want to speak with someone who can assist me in locating a reputable kitchen remodeling company in my neighborhood. Thank you for writing this piece.

Anna Collins says

My aunt’s kitchen was badly damaged last week when her microwave blew up, so she plans to have the area remodeled soon. It was truly helpful when you advised us to properly do our research and plan out our budget well to avoid regrets when selecting the materials to use for the kitchen remodel. I’ll be sure to take note of this and inform my aunt before she contacts a remodeling contractor for her kitchen soon.

Kitchen Remodeling Orange County NY says

Designing a kitchen that fits into your lifestyle is crucial to building a lasting kitchen. Thanks for sharing!

Elina Brooks says

I’ve always wanted to remodel my house since it’s quite old now, so I’ve decided to start with the kitchen after the holidays. I’m thankful that you advised us to do our research well, utilize the expertise of the designer, and mind our budget if we don’t want regrets during the remodeling. I’ll be sure to follow what you said while I look for a remodeling contractor to hire for the project soon.

Sam Andrews says

Hey, what’s up? Now, my wife has an aunt in Florida who dreams of having her kitchen redone this summer. Thank goodness you made us realize how fundamental it is to prioritize functionality when remodeling such space. Okay, I’ll ask her to examine this matter when employing a contractor to manage the project.

Lily Bridgers says

I appreciate your emphasis on the significance of making wise material choices when undertaking a kitchen renovation. It appears to me that engaging a contractor should be the initial step in the planning process since this will allow them to consult with an expert on the best materials to use. By doing so, a remodeling contractor could assist you in determining the most suitable materials for your project like countertops, tables, and other stuff.

Elina Brooks says

I appreciate your warning when you told us to inspect the inside of our walls first before proceeding with remodeling since we might find something unexpected and suspicious, which can lead to mistakes in our project. The kitchen is the one area in the house that looks terribly worn out, so I was hoping to give it a makeover soon. I’ll be sure to remember this while I look for a remodeling contractor to hire for my kitchen soon.

Elle Jones says

Last week, my aunt’s microwave blew up, causing significant damage to the room, and she plans to remodel the kitchen soon. When you advised us to properly conduct our research and carefully plan our budget to avoid regrets when choosing the materials to use for the kitchen remodel, it was incredibly helpful. Before my aunt soon contacts a remodeling contractor for her kitchen, I’ll make sure to note this and let her know.

Olivia Smart says

Thank you for pointing out how you can be a bit more creative with your kitchen lighting. We’ve been wondering what kind of features we may want to add to our kitchen. I’ll be sure to look into these different lighting options to see what we may like to add.

Sam Andrews says

Hi! Last night, I talked to my neighbor and he expressed his wish to redo his home cooking area. I suppose he just has to reach out to a contractor to manage the project. I like how you encouraged us to opt for long-lasting materials when remodeling our kitchen to ensure better quality.

Elle Jones says

Last week, my aunt’s microwave blew up, causing significant damage to the room, and she expects to renovate the kitchen shortly. When you encouraged us to properly do our research and carefully manage our budget in order to prevent regrets when choosing the materials to utilize for the kitchen makeover, it was really beneficial. Before my aunt soon approaches a renovation contractor for her kitchen, I’ll be sure to record this and let her know.

Elina Brooks says

It was a good piece of advice when you told us to consider our lifestyle when we plan out our kitchen design for the contractor working on the project to be able to tailor the place according to our needs and minimize annoying issues for us. I recently started enjoying baking as a hobby, so I wanted to give my kitchen a makeover soon to make me more motivated to use the place for my self-taught baking lessons. I’ll keep this in mind and look for a contractor to hire for my kitchen remodeling needs this summer.

Jeanie Manser says

These are some great tips, thanks for sharing! My brother and sister-in-law wrecked some wiring in their walls during their renovation so we made sure not to make the same mistake! Our renovations turned out awesome, from getting new floors to getting our cabinets refaced, I’m really happy with how it turned out, and a lot of it had to do with your advice! Thank you!

Alissa Brad says

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and experience. I’m reading another blog similar to it. If you want to learn more about this, you may visit this website for knowledge.

Quinci says

This is an inspiring post! Our kitchen has been needing remodeling for a few years and we are finally starting the process. We are not sure how much everything will cost, did you use a dumpster rental for your remodel or simply make trips to your local dump? Thanks!

Olivia Smart says

Thank you for explaining about integrated storage. We’ve been thinking about updating our kitchen this year. I’ll have to consider our lifestyle to see what kind of storage we should get.

David Roger says

This article offers invaluable advice for anyone considering a kitchen remodel. The author provides seven thoughtful tips to help homeowners avoid common renovation regrets. What I particularly appreciate about this article is how it emphasizes the importance of clear communication with designers and contractors throughout the process. It’s a reminder that a successful renovation requires collaboration and open dialogue.

Furthermore, the article’s focus on understanding one’s “why” before starting the remodel is crucial. Many people embark on such projects with a vague idea of what they want, and this article encourages readers to dig deeper and consider their long-term goals and needs.