We’ve made it to part 3! If you missed the other two blogs, check out Part 1 and Part 2 in the previous posts.

Without further ado, onto mistakes 11-15…

NOT CONSIDERING SPECIFIC APPLIANCES DURING THE LAYOUT AND DESIGN OF THE KITCHEN

You don’t necessarily have to order them right away, although with timelines it might actually be the first thing you want to do, but knowing which appliances you want will help you make the most of your layout and design. It’s a lot simpler to create cabinets to surround a range vs. having to find a range to specifically fit your kitchen layout after it is complete. Want panel-ready appliances? This needs to be decided at the very beginning in order to integrate seamlessly into the design.

SPLURGING WHERE YOU SHOULD SAVE AND SKIMPING WHERE YOU SHOULD INVEST

Splurge on the sofa, and skimp on the side tables. Other examples of items I would consider investing in are: windows, window treatments, labour and management (you will never regret a great contractor and designer), lighting, millwork, and meaningful artwork.

BUYING HOME DECOR AND FURNITURE TOO EARLY

It’s easy to get excited when you see something on sale, or that you really love. However, we’ve found that intentionality and patience, especially in the foundational pieces, helps ensure everything stands the test of time both from a style and a usability perspective.

UNDERESTIMATING COSTS AND NOT HAVING A REALISTIC CONTINGENCY

Just like you don’t go on a vacation to save money, you shouldn’t embark on a home renovation project with a singular goal of saving money. These projects are investments and need to be considered accordingly. Do your research, ask around, roam the aisles of home depot and get your head around the general cost of materials and fixtures. Although I adore the shows, home improvement networks have perpetuated a false reality that a whole home inclusive of labour, design, and all the materials & furnishings can be done for 100k in 6 weeks. This is just not reality. It’s important to know what to expect before moving forward. Contingency budgets very rarely go unused (we like to bank ~20% for unexpected costs) and the older the home the higher the risk of finding surprises.

RENOVATING PIECE BY PIECE WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE WHOLE

Even if you can only afford to renovate one space at a time (this is totally normal by the way), you should try your best to at least plan and have a vision for the cohesion of all the spaces. This includes the spaces that will be renovated later on down the road. By doing this, you can take your time but still have a finished home that works well together!

Well, that’s it! We hope you enjoyed this series and found it valuable!