Dreaming of a fancy new kitchen? A great kitchen can make or break a renovation, but it’s important to follow a few rules so you don’t end up making costly mistakes. 

Don’t overspend

It’s tempting to make your new kitchen design as high-end as possible, but take care not to overcapitalise. When in doubt, use the percentage rule –  a kitchen renovation shouldn’t cost more than 7 per cent of the purchase price of your home.

Discounted appliances

It’s a great idea to take advantage of discount sales of major appliances such as dishwashers, fridges and ovens. But before you fill up your garage with boxes of new appliances, be sure to have your kitchen layout firmly in place. That way you can be sure everything will fit into your design perfectly, instead of being too large or small.

Sweat the small stuff

The overall look of your new kitchen plan is obviously important, but don’t overlook the little details – things like the number and location of power points and the positioning of light fittings to ensure well-lit working spaces. (You can read our guide to how to design an electrical plan, here.) It’s the small details that make a kitchen a joy to work in. Things like having all your utensils ready at hand, the prep bench being close to the stove, and plenty of room for your favorite serving platters. So put as much thought into the details as you do the big, expensive decisions.

Form or function?

Following trends is fine, but don’t get caught up in the pressure to conform to what celebrity stylists tell you. How something looks in the finished room is important, but don’t let looks alone determine every purchase you make – it’s more important that an oven, sink or glass splashback performs well and offers the functionality you need.

Benchtops

A great benchtop is expensive, but don’t be tempted to choose an inexpensive material just to save money. The benchtop will suffer more bumps and scrapes and scratches than any other surface, so it has to be able to withstand anything you throw at it – including scorching hot cast-iron cookware to a spill from Friday night’s curry. Save yourself some heartbreak and opt for the most expensive – and durable – finish you can afford.

Contact an kitchen designer to help you avoid costly mistakes when you redesign your kitchen.