When your kitchen works for you, it becomes the most joyful space to spend time in. It inspires recipes, becomes the cornerstone of happy hosting, and is a place where memories are made with your nearest and dearest. Naturally, you want everything to look great and flow well.

Whether you’re gearing up for a major kitchen remodel or just making some small updates, take note of these common mistakes people make when renovating a kitchen.

Choosing an Island That’s Too Large

A big kitchen island is an amazing perk, but there’s a risk of going too large. “Some are so big you can’t reach the center of them to make use of the area or even clean it,” says interior designer Rainey Richardson. “Don’t go for a ridiculously oversized island for no reason; bigger is not always better.”

She says to consider the usability of the island and how it affects the cabinetry and storage. Also factor in how any appliances need to be accommodated. She adds that the standard overhang used to be 12 inches, but that no longer works with some barstools. Opt for 14 inches instead, which is the maximum overhang before needing corbels and supports.

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Placing the Fridge Too Far from the Sink

A pretty kitchen is great, but catering to utility is goal number one for this high-traffic space. A common misstep people make regarding flow is placing their fridge too far away from the sink.

“The fridge and sink are the most used workspaces in the kitchen. If they are too far apart—or worse, separated by an island—you add constant extra steps,” notes Yvonne Harty, principal designer at Harty Interiors. “Plan appliances according to a typical workflow for better efficiency.”

It should be easy to move between the fridge, sink, and cooking range. You’ll thank yourself for avoiding this mistake many times over.

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Ignoring Outdated Wiring and Plumbing

Electrical and plumbing systems may be hidden behind the walls, but they’re essential to how your kitchen functions every day. Todd Tripp, a general contractor and home improvement expert with JustAnswer, says one of the most common renovation mistakes is failing to update circuits, receptacles, and plumbing connections to support modern appliances.

“If it’s an older kitchen being remodeled to current standards, there can be significant differences in circuit sizes and receptacles,” he says. “Also, new appliances may require different voltage and amperage than what was originally installed.”

Without proper upgrades, you could end up with safety risks, code issues, or appliances and fixtures that don’t work as intended. Tripp says having a licensed professional review specifications before installation can sidestep these issues.

Cobbling Together Old and New Cabinetry

Cabinetry is a splurge-worthy investment, so many try to save money by cobbling old and new together. Richardson says this may reduce the overall spend, but it’ll leave everyone frustrated. In fact, she won’t even take on projects where clients insist on this request.

“Doing a partial tear-out leads to permanent disappointment. It may appear fine in the planning stage, or even under construction. But once the kitchen is complete and in use, the homeowner will always see the old, because the new is so great,” she says. “Everything in the updated cabinetry feels fresh and looks different: the paint, the finish, the hand. Rip out everything.”

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Cutting Corners on Quality

The kitchen is one of the busiest, high-traffic areas of the home, so even when working within the confines of a strict budget, Tripp says it’s important to not skimp on quality.

“You don’t want to shortchange your kitchen upgrade or remodel by installing cheap materials that will not last and are easily damaged," he says. "Using substandard, inexpensive, closeout materials can also leave you unable to replace something if it breaks."

Stick to your budget, but still prioritize the highest quality your money can buy from established manufacturers. Many of these come with warranties, and they’ll ensure replacements are easier should you need to fix anything down the road.  

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Keeping Appliances Over 7 Years Old

If you’re doing a large overhaul, building out a new footprint, or adding new cabinetry, appliances over seven years old should be replaced.

“Technology changes so fast in appliances; functions improve, finishes are updated, dimensions change, and handle shapes fall in and out of favor,” Richardson notes. “In the grand scheme of the project, it’s not a big deal to replace them, especially if you have outdated sizes.”

Updating all the appliances now means you won’t have to deal with the headache of making new pieces fit in your recently renovated space.