There are countless decisions, measurements, plans (and reworked plans) involved in a kitchen remodel. It’s unrealistic to expect the whole process to go perfectly without a few speed bumps or course corrections along the way. Our renovation was no exception — you may have already heard about our huge tile miscalculation on our podcast — and today we’re sharing five other mistakes we made, noticed, and fixed (some just in the nick of time). If you’re planning a kitchen reno, keep an eye out for these potential pitfalls so you don’t have to deal with long-term regrets.
Mistake #1: An Almost Off-Center Doorway
When we framed the opening between the kitchen and living room it looked okay at first glance, but a tight cluster of studs on one side hinted something was off. After measuring, Sherry discovered the opening was nearly three inches closer to the wall on one side. It was a quick fix the next day, but if we’d left it that way our built-in bookcases and surrounding millwork would have looked noticeably asymmetrical. Lesson: always measure and trust your instincts when a layout feels off.
Mistake #2: Bad Fridge Placement
We originally planned to place the fridge right next to the exterior door to keep the pantry wall uninterrupted. Once the cabinets were installed, however, the difference in height between the fridge and the door felt visually unbalanced. Sherry mocked up an alternate layout in Photoshop, moving a pantry cabinet between them to create breathing room. I was skeptical, but the installers made the change in under 15 minutes and the new placement reads much better. Moral: if a design choice looks wrong to you in person, speak up — small adjustments can make a big difference.
Mistake #3: Barely There Lights
We initially installed simple glass globe pendants over the island because they were classic and affordable. From the living room at night, though, they looked too delicate compared to the chunky island below. We wanted something with more presence but still liked the polished nickel stem. After searching, we collaborated with Shades of Light to design pendants that fit our size, shape, finish, and budget needs — and they ended up being a favorite feature of the room. If your lighting feels disproportionately small, consider dialing up scale and weight rather than sticking with the first option.
Mistake #4: Ill-Fitting Stools
We fell for a set of Restoration Hardware stools early in the design phase and paid for white-glove delivery. They arrived before the counters and were stored in the garage, so we didn’t see them in place until the day before the countertop install. Their arm rests were too tall to tuck comfortably under a standard-height counter. Rather than living with stools that wouldn’t function properly, we returned them and found suitable World Market stools that fit and complemented the space. Takeaway: always test scale and clearance in person before committing.
Mistake #5: Repainting. Twice.
We initially painted the walls Simply White by Benjamin Moore to keep things bright while the room came together. As finishes were installed, that white felt too stark, like the space still needed paint. Installing the backsplash and deciding to continue tile around the garage door helped point us toward a better wall color. We chose Irish Mist by Behr, a light gray that provides subtle contrast with trim and cabinets and ties into the tile tones. The garage door color also went through revisions: an initial pick felt too bright when painted, so we tested more swatches and landed on Lime Light by Behr, which reads more muted and complements the nook without competing with the tile. The lesson: paint samples and test patches are worth the extra effort.
Bonus: Three Things We Avoided
Here are three small but important details we planned carefully that could have become regrets if neglected.
Bonus Tip #1: Leave Space For Tile
We wanted the backsplash to run to the ceiling and wrap around the windows, so we planned 7″ gaps on each side of the windows to allow a continuous tile run without custom cabinetry. That choice meant selecting slightly narrower upper cabinets, but it provided a cohesive, intentional look that was worth the trade-off.
Bonus Tip #2: Try Horizontal Outlets
Instead of placing outlets vertically at standard height, we turned them on their side and set them lower and closer to the counter. With covers that match the tile and careful placement, the outlets are easy to access but far less visually obvious on a large tiled wall. It’s a small detail but it keeps the tile field cleaner and less interrupted.
Bonus Tip #3: Don’t Settle For The Default
Our cabinet supplier offered a stock hood valance we didn’t love. Instead of accepting the only option, we sourced a 30″ wood vent cover from another vendor and had it painted to match the cabinets. Many cabinet companies provide touch-up paint that can tie in parts from different sources, so don’t be afraid to mix vendors when it results in a better overall look.
There were plenty of other details we considered — for example, we almost placed the dishwasher on the right side of the sink where it would have stuck out beyond the island and been visible from the front door. Instead we positioned it to the left of the sink behind the island, which hides it and makes unloading more convenient. Ultimately, the devil is in the details with big renovations. Expect a few course corrections, measure carefully, test finishes in place, and don’t be afraid to change something if it doesn’t feel right.
*This post contains affiliate links*