There are countless decisions, measurements, plans (and plan changes) 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 remodel was no exception — you may have heard about our huge tile miscalculation on our podcast — and today I’m sharing five other mistakes we made, noticed, and fixed (some just in the nick of time). If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, these are the sorts of issues you’ll want to watch for so they don’t nag you for years.
Mistake #1: An Almost Off-Center Doorway
When we framed the new opening between the kitchen and living room, the doorway looked fine at first glance. A cluster of studs on one side, though, signaled something was off. After measuring, Sherry discovered the opening was nearly three inches closer to the wall on one side. It was an easy fix the next day, but if we’d left it, our built-ins on the other side would have looked noticeably unbalanced. Little shifts like that can make a big visual difference.
Mistake #2: Fridge Placement That Looked Off
We originally planned to position the refrigerator right next to the back door to keep the pantry wall uninterrupted. Once the cabinets were installed, however, the fridge sitting next to the door looked visually heavy and unbalanced because of differing heights. Sherry mocked up an alternate placement and asked the installers if we could switch the cabinet layout. They made the adjustment in under 15 minutes, and the new arrangement looks much more balanced. The lesson: speak up if something feels off in the moment — changes are often easier than you expect.
Mistake #3: Pendant Lights That Were Too Delicate
We chose simple glass globe pendants over the island because they were classic and affordable, but over time they started to look too slight compared to the chunky island. They didn’t feel wrong, just underwhelming. We searched for a fixture with more visual weight that still offered a polished nickel stem and ultimately had custom pendants produced to meet our needs. The final lights provide the presence the island deserved without losing the finish we loved.
Mistake #4: Stools That Didn’t Fit
We ordered stools we thought were perfect, including white-glove delivery and setup, but when they finally arrived we realized the armrests were too tall to tuck under a standard-height counter. That would have been annoying every day, so we returned them for a full refund and searched until we found stools that both matched the look and fit the space. The takeaway: always test the actual dimensions and clearance with your counters before committing.
Mistake #5: Repainting—Twice
We first painted the room Simply White by Benjamin Moore to keep things bright while finishes were in progress. Once we saw the finished surfaces, the white felt too stark. Installing the backsplash and expanding it around the garage door helped us decide on a warmer, more cohesive wall color. We repainted with Irish Mist by Behr, a soft gray that created the contrast we wanted between the walls and the white trim and cabinets.
We also repainted the garage door twice. The first blue we chose read too bright once the whole door was painted, so we switched to a more muted shade that fits the nook better and harmonizes with the tile. Paint tests are essential — colors can shift unexpectedly once applied to larger areas.
Bonus: Three Things We Avoided
Here are three planning choices that could’ve become regrets but didn’t, because we addressed them early in the process:
Bonus Tip #1: Leave Space for Tile
We wanted the backsplash to extend to the ceiling and wrap around the windows for a cohesive look. That required leaving enough space on each side of the windows so the tile could continue uninterrupted from countertop to crown molding. We chose a 7″ gap on each side to accommodate standard upper-cabinet sizes and avoid custom work. It narrowed the cabinets slightly but created the visual effect we wanted.
Bonus Tip #2: Try Horizontal Outlets
Instead of the usual vertical outlets centered in the backsplash, we rotated them sideways and placed them lower and closer to the counter. This makes them easier to hide behind small objects and far less visually intrusive against the tile. Carefully mark outlet locations before the electrician arrives so the final look is clean and unobtrusive.
Bonus Tip #3: Don’t Settle for the Default
We worked with a local cabinet company for the main cabinetry but didn’t like the stock option for the exhaust hood. Instead of accepting the default, we ordered a 30″ wood vent cover from a different supplier and had it painted to match the cabinets. Most cabinet makers provide touch-up paint that makes integrating an outside piece seamless. Don’t be afraid to source a single element elsewhere if it improves the overall look.
There are always details that can cause headaches in a major renovation. We nearly placed the dishwasher where it would have stuck out beyond the island and been visible from the front door — a small change in placement made it both hidden and more convenient. My advice: plan thoroughly, be willing to make small course corrections, and check clearances and sight lines at every stage so the finished kitchen feels intentional and balanced.
- Choosing a new layout (planning is everything)
- Gutting and rebuilding (expect surprises)
- The big reveal (how all the decisions come together)
- Cabinet and drawer organization (practical details)
- Adding built-ins around openings (framing and symmetry)