A kitchen or bathroom remodel is an exciting opportunity to make your house feel more like home. It gives you the chance to design a space that meets all your unique wants and needs since you are in control.

However, even though most homeowners do tons of research before making major remodeling decisions, some areas tend to get overlooked.

There is no shortage of advice on what you should “do” during a kitchen or bathroom renovation. But not much about what you should avoid.

Here are some things we don’t recommend doing in a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Don’t put aesthetics above functionality

You have probably scrolled through a billion pins on Pinterest and know what you want design-wise, but your focus should be on creating a more functional space. In the kitchen, your sink, stove, and refrigerator should be close together to make cooking more efficient.

You'll also want to make sure you have easy access to heavier items like a stand mixer or crock pot, so including an appliance garage or appliance lifts should be considered, even if it detracts from the picture-perfect image you have in your mind.

In the bathroom, of course, you want a spacious and luxurious space, but it also needs to be practical. Above anything else, the layout must be considered to optimize space and privacy.

If you don’t have a separate toilet closet, you should make sure your toilet is not the first thing you see as you walk in the door. You could also consider nixing the tub and opting for a larger walk-in shower to maximize floor space.

Don’t underestimate your storage needs

One of the biggest regrets and complaints we hear from homeowners is that there needs to be more storage space for all of their belongings. This is especially true in the kitchen and bathroom, so don't underestimate your storage needs while you are remodeling.

Installing cabinet drawers in the kitchen is one way to maximize your storage space and can be designed to give you plenty of room for your pots, pans, dishes, and kitchen gadgets. Including a pantry is another great idea to ensure all your food items and extras have a designated home.

Insufficient storage in the bathroom can lead to clutter, which is not what you want to see in what's supposed to be a relaxing spa-like space. Simple storage solutions include floating shelves or a recessed medicine cabinet where you can keep beauty products and other essentials.

You could also include a closet with plenty of shelving for towels and bath items or an oversized vanity with under-sink storage space.

Don’t ignore ventilation

Ventilation is not exciting, but it is an important health component in the kitchen and bathroom.

A range hood is needed in the kitchen to control odor, smoke, and grease. Without it, your kitchen could feel dirty, and your indoor air quality could be impacted. Fortunately, decorative range hoods are a huge design trend we will be seeing more of, so it should be easy to find one that works with your kitchen design.

Ventilation is just as important in the bathroom since the bathroom is a high-moisture area. Without proper ventilation, you could be faced with mold and mildew, which can damage your home and impact your indoor air quality. Choosing an exhaust fan that is large enough for your space is pretty easy and will make a big difference.

We can help!

If you have an idea of what you'd like in your kitchen or bathroom remodel, we can bring it to life! We will also guide you through the parts that you may have overlooked, like ventilation and storage. Give us a call so we can get started!