There are a lot of decisions, measurements, and plans (and inevitable change-of-plans) that go into a kitchen remodel. It’s unrealistic to expect to navigate everything without hitting a few speed bumps or needing course corrections along the way. Our remodel was no exception — you may have heard about our huge tile miscalculation on our podcast — but 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 common pitfalls.
Mistake #1: An Almost Off-Center Doorway
During demo we framed a new opening between the kitchen and living room. At first glance it looked fine, but a cluster of studs on one side was actually there because the opening had been built a few inches off center. We did the usual “Is it? No, it’s not. Wait, maybe a little?” dance, but a quick tape measure check confirmed it was nearly three inches closer to the wall on one side.
It was easy to correct the next day, and we’re so glad we caught it. Leaving the opening off by a few inches would have made the built-in bookcases on the other side look lopsided, with one cabinet needing noticeably wider filler pieces than the other. Little things like that become obvious over time.
Mistake #2: Bad Fridge Placement
Our original plan placed the fridge right next to the door. In theory that kept the pantry run uninterrupted, but once the cabinets were installed we realized the differing heights of the fridge and the door looked visually off. The two large rectangles didn’t line up and the composition felt unbalanced.
Sherry mocked up an alternate layout where the pantry cabinet moves between the fridge and the door to give each some breathing room. I was skeptical about inconveniencing the installers, but she asked anyway and the crew agreed to the swap in under 15 minutes. The change made the wall feel much more balanced, and it’s a good reminder to speak up if something looks off during installation.
Mistake #3: Lights That Were Too Subtle
We originally installed simple glass globe pendants over the island because they were classic and affordable, and we liked that they didn’t block sightlines. Over time, especially at night from the living room sofa, they began to look too delicate compared with the chunky island beneath them. They were fine, but lacked the presence we wanted.
We wanted something larger with more visual weight but still with a polished nickel detail we liked. After searching, we worked with a lighting company to design pendants that matched our needs. The replacements give the island better balance and are now favorite pieces in the room.
Mistake #4: Stools That Didn’t Fit
We splurged on stools that looked perfect in mood boards and paid for white-glove delivery. They arrived early and sat in the garage while floors were refinished. When we finally brought them in the day before the counter install, we discovered the armrests were too tall to tuck under a standard-height counter. In other words, counter-height stools that wouldn’t push in under the counter.
We returned them for a full refund and ended up finding a different style that fit perfectly under the counter while still matching the look we wanted. It was frustrating to return the “perfect stools,” but now those seats are comfortable, practical, and less expensive.
Mistake #5: Repainting—Twice
We initially painted the room Simply White to keep things bright and neutral while other elements were added. But once the backsplash, counters, and cabinets were in place, the white felt too stark—like the room wasn’t finished. Installing the backsplash around the sink and garage door helped point us toward a warmer, grayer option.
We selected a light gray that created subtle contrast with the trim and cabinets and tied the wall color into the tile tones. That small shift made the space feel more cohesive. We also repainted the garage door twice: first with a powdery blue that read too bright in the space, then swapping to a softer, slightly grayer blue that worked much better within the nook.
Bonus: Three Things We Avoided
While we made our share of mistakes, there were a few potential regrets we prevented through planning. They might help you avoid the same pitfalls.
Bonus Tip #1: Leave Space For Tile
We wanted the backsplash tile to run from counter to ceiling and to wrap around the windows so it felt intentional rather than two disconnected bands. To accomplish that, we left a 7-inch gap on each side of the windows. That allowed a generous band of tile without forcing custom cabinet sizes. It meant choosing slightly narrower stock cabinets, but the finished look was worth it.
Bonus Tip #2: Try Horizontal Outlets
Instead of the typical vertical outlet placement higher on the backsplash, we turned our outlets on their side and lowered them closer to the counter. This keeps them accessible but much less obvious in a wall of tile. A small detail, but it helps the backsplash read more cleanly and frees the visual field from obvious “surprised faces.”
Bonus Tip #3: Don’t Accept the Default
We worked with a local cabinet company but didn’t like the stock vent hood option they offered. Rather than accepting it, we sourced a 30-inch wood vent cover from another supplier and had it painted to match. Most cabinet companies supply touch-up paint, which made it easy to blend a non-stock piece into the design. Small custom choices like this can make a big difference.
There were many other small decisions that could have turned into regrets — for example, we almost put 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 it’s hidden behind the island, which also makes unloading more convenient.
Major renovations are full of details, and no matter how much you plan, a few surprises are inevitable. The key is catching the issues you can and being willing to make changes when something doesn’t feel right. My hope for you is that none of your fixes require tearing down a wall to recenter an opening by three inches — but if it does, measure twice and have a snack while you decide.