Has a kitchen makeover been on your to-do list for long? If so, you must consider investing in a brand-new set of kitchen cabinets.
Besides increasing storage, cabinets help set the tone for your kitchen. In fact, you can create vibrant, classy, or minimalistic space simply by tweaking your cabinet choices.
However, replacing kitchen cabinets is no easy task, especially if you’re an amateur remodeler. Don’t let the beautifully staged magazine photos fool you: this type of kitchen renovation is brimming with potential pitfalls. Needless to say, almost all of these setbacks can throw your project off balance.
There are many ways to bungle a cabinet installation. Let’s explore a few of these kitchen remodel mistakes, as well as how you can avoid them.
1. Messing Up the Measurements
First things first, it’s never a good idea to eyeball cabinet dimensions. Cabinets with pre-set stock sizes don’t work for all kitchens. Unless you’re careful, you’ll be left with wrongly sized, mismatched kitchen cabinets that don’t fit in your space at all.
Every kitchen is unique, which is why you should take the time to measure each element in detail. To do this:
- Start with making a rough sketch, outlining the new layout of the room.
- Take horizontal measurements, including the entire wall space.
- Take vertical measurements, from the floor to the ceiling at each corner.
- Locate the center point of fixtures, such as appliances and sinks, among others.
- Account for doorways and windows that may break up the cabinetry.
- Record the distance between objects on the wall and the floor/ceiling.
Once you have the accurate dimensions, you’ll be better prepared to select cabinets that blend into your kitchens hassle-free.
2. Choosing Fashion Over Function
Cabinets play a huge part in determining the overall look of your kitchen. But they should be functional as well. Far too often, homeowners settle for eye-catching kitchen cabinets, only to be disappointed with them in the long run.
When mulling over your cabinet choices, think about what you expect of them, functionality-wise. For example, if you cook a lot, you probably have multiple appliances, utensils, and foodstuff to stow away. In that case, you’ll need cabinets that are big enough to accommodate all your essentials.
If you’re opting for knobs and pulls, make sure they are easy to grasp with wet, greasy hands. Additionally, everyone in your family (including those with bigger hands) must be able to reach through them. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself trapped in an endless cycle of removing knuckle marks.
3. Installing Cabinets on Drywall
This is by far one of the most pressing kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid. Truth be told, drywall isn’t made to handle the weight of loaded kitchen cabinets. Although it may hold up initially, your cabinets will most likely come crashing down as soon as you pile on the dinnerware and appliances.
Since collapsed cabinetry is probably the last thing you want to deal with, it’s best if you refrain from hanging your kitchen cabinets on the drywall. Instead, you should install them on wall studs. Studs are the strongest points on your walls and are sturdy enough to carry the weight of loaded cabinets. If you don’t know where your wall studs are, take the time to mark them out as carefully as possible.
4. Not Thinking About Wiring and Plumbing
Remodeling gets trickier when you’re overhauling your kitchen cabinet system. For starters, you may accidentally interfere with the wiring and plumbing of your kitchen, covering up important outlets.
Imagine how frustrating it’ll be to discover that you’ve planted a cabinet over where the recessed light was meant to go.
To prevent this, map out your cabinet arrangement way in advance. Be sure to make a note of exact appliance locations, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, trash compactors, and garbage disposals. And, if possible, ask your electrician to finish their preliminary wirework before the cabinets go up. Doing this will save you a ton of stress.
5. Misjudging the Design Layout
Regardless of how many cabinets you’re replacing, you need to pay close attention to layout issues. Replacing kitchen cabinets haphazardly won’t do much in terms of visual appeal. Worse still, you may be left with doors that only open partially because the refrigerator is in the way.
To make the best use of your kitchen space, think about where everything should go. Ensure there aren’t any opening conflicts. Also, for tight spaces, check to see if the handles and pulls allow you to open the drawers/doors fully.
6. Disregarding New Appliances
Appliances aren’t what they used to be. Nowadays, most of them are much larger than their previous counterparts. In case you’re getting new dishwashers and stoves, remember to consider their dimensions when replacing kitchen cabinets. This shouldn’t be too hard, as most manufacturers list product dimensions on their websites.
7. Not Buying Spare Parts
Skimping on spare parts is a big no-no. Things will almost certainly break, fall apart, or just vanish completely, meaning you’ll need to hoard up as many spares as you can.
For example, cheap, soft-close hardware is infamous for disintegrating ever so often. In case of any mishaps, you’ll want a few replacements on hand. The same goes for pulls, handles, and other items with movable parts. It’s best if you buy these in bulk, as products in retail are constantly being pulled from the market.
8. Installing Cabinets on Your Own
Replacing kitchen cabinets isn’t a one-person job, no matter how strong you are. Cabinets are large, difficult to maneuver, and awkward to hold. Not to mention, restoring them costs quite a bit of money, should any damage take place. If you’ve ever looked up search results for ‘how much does it cost to replace kitchen cabinets’, you probably wouldn’t want to shoulder this added expense.
It’s in your best interest to seek professional help, instead of Googling ‘how to replace kitchen cabinets’. Better still, you can hand over the reins to a kitchen remodeling company and let them do all the work for you.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know what pitfalls you should avoid, you’ll have no trouble giving your kitchen the makeover of a lifetime. With the right strategy, measurements, and installation processes, your new kitchen cabinets should come together without hassles.
Ready for a kitchen remodel? Or are you just thinking of replacing kitchen cabinets?
Whatever the case, OMG Kitchens can come to your rescue. As a kitchen and bathroom remodeling company in South Orange County, we’re known for our high-quality products and short turnaround periods. You can trust us to revamp your kitchen without breaking the bank. For further information on our services, contact us today!