5 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Tucson Kitchen Remodel

Whether you’re just dreaming at this stage or ready to start swinging hammers, remodeling your kitchen is an exciting time! But it can also come with stress, headaches, and elevated blood pressure. Isn’t that true of any worthy pursuit? To ensure the success of your kitchen transformation, let’s go over some common mistakes that I see people make. In this article, we'll explore five mistakes to avoid during your kitchen remodel, including a critical Tucson-specific consideration, to help boost your confidence that your investment will bear the fruit you are hoping for - a kitchen that improves the quality of your life, is uniquely you, and causes zero future regrets.

Mistake 1: Overlooking Storage and Organization

Generally speaking, people want more storage, not less. Rarely do I hear, “yeah, we just have too much storage. I can’t stand it anymore!” One of the most common mistakes in kitchen remodeling is underestimating the importance of storage and organization. It's easy to focus on the big-ticket items like cabinets and countertops while overlooking the smaller details that contribute to efficient daily use. Spice racks, pull-outs, and other organizational features are often neglected but can significantly enhance the functionality and daily enjoyment of your kitchen.

Some cabinet shops put a bunch of stock cabinet sizes together and fill in the gaps with dead space. What about adding a spice rack like this instead?

My personal kitchen at home is a testament to this. I dream of a home where everything is perfectly organized. Maybe I just need a giant gift card to The Container Store…alas, I’m not there yet. But I have done a lot to maximize storage in my relatively tiny midtown Tucson kitchen. We have spice racks and pot racks and drawer organizers and pull-outs. Each one has made life in the kitchen dramatically better, and the best part is I get to be reminded of those little pleasures every single day.

When planning your remodel, take the time to assess your storage needs. Consider the items you use most frequently and how you can optimize space to keep them easily accessible. Investing in well-designed cabinets and drawers with built-in organizers can transform your kitchen into a clutter-free, efficient, and fun space!

Mistake 2: Tile Floor Errors

In our dry Tucson climate, tile floors are a popular choice for kitchens. However, improper preparation and installation can lead to buckled floors. The most common tile installation mistake in Tucson is not including expansion joints. This is required by industry standards, but often missed, and can be very costly to rectify. To avoid this mistake, prioritize proper tile floor preparation and installation. This is not the place to skimp.

This is how severe the damage can be from improper tile installation.

Ensure that your substrate is stable, clean, and level before laying tiles. Plan your layout and identify where the expansion joints need to go. Hiring a skilled professional for the installation is highly advisable. Taking these precautions will not only prevent buckling but also ensure the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your kitchen floor.

Mistake 3: Missing Creative Layout Opportunities

The kitchen is no longer just a space for cooking; it has evolved into the heart of the modern home, a hub for family activities and socializing. Do millennials even know what a dining room is? Just kidding - this one does! Despite the importance of the kitchen to the modern household, many homeowners overlook creative layout opportunities during their remodel, sticking to traditional designs that may not maximize the potential of the space.

Even partially opening up a wall or two can make a huge difference for how a kitchen and its adjacent rooms feel.

Don’t be afraid to open up a wall or two (or four). Consider re-imagining your kitchen layout to create a more inviting and functional space. Think about how your family uses the kitchen and tailor the layout to accommodate those activities. That annoyingly narrow space between the island and the fridge that keeps causing you to bump your hip into the counter? That’s still going to be there even if the counter is quartz and the fridge is shiny new stainless steel. Even small changes in the floor plan can make a significant difference in the overall flow and atmosphere of the room. Remember, like the bathroom, you probably use the kitchen multiple times per day. If you’re already going through the trouble and expense of a remodel it may be worth the extra effort to customize your layout.

Mistake 4: Lack of Planning

Perhaps one of the gravest mistakes in kitchen remodeling is a lack of planning. In particular: leaving finish selections to the last minute. Neglecting to create a fully comprehensive plan can lead to delays, budget overruns, and disappointment with the final result.

Start your planning by selecting finishes early in the process. Create a detailed timeline that outlines each phase of the remodel, from demolition to the final touches. Budgeting is also a critical aspect; be realistic about costs and set aside a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses. A qualified general contractor can work directly with you or your interior designer to create a well-thought-out plan. This will serve as your roadmap, guiding you through each step of the remodel with clarity.

Mistake 5: Cheaping Out on Appliances

Your kitchen appliances are the workhorses of the space, and cutting corners on quality can have long-term consequences. While it can be tempting to allocate more budget to visible elements like countertops and cabinets, I highly recommend investing in reliable and efficient appliances.

Consider your appliances as long-term assets that contribute to the overall enjoyment and functionality of your kitchen. These could even see you through a subsequent remodel! Quality appliances not only last longer but also perform better, saving you money and frustration on repairs and replacements in the future. You don’t think you REALLY need a dishwasher until it stops working. Or perhaps worse, it kind of works but always leave 30% of the dishes not quite clean. Prioritize durability and energy efficiency to make the most of your investment.

Bonus Tip: Soft-Close Hardware for Cabinets

In the midst of a kitchen remodel, it's easy to get caught up in the grand decisions and overlook the finer details. One such detail that often goes unnoticed but adds immense value is soft-close hardware for cabinets. Whether you opt for custom cabinets or quality stock cabinets, incorporating soft-close features is a small investment that pays off in daily convenience.

Imagine how happy your silverware will be when it gets softly tucked in every time you close the drawer - rather than jolted and thrown around each time. Now imagine how happy you will be!

Soft-close hinges and drawer slides prevent slamming, reducing wear and tear on your cabinets and ensuring a quieter kitchen environment. Even if you're working within a budget, many stock cabinets now come equipped with soft-close hardware, making it an accessible luxury that enhances the overall experience of your kitchen.

Prioritizing Your Kitchen Needs

Before diving into your kitchen remodel, take a moment to reflect on how you use this space. Understanding your priorities will guide your decisions throughout the process. Ask yourself:

• How often do I cook, and what types of meals do I usually prepare?

• Is the kitchen primarily a social space for family and guests?

• Do I require ample storage for specific kitchen tools or appliances?

By answering these questions, you can tailor your remodel to suit your lifestyle, ensuring that the final result aligns with your practical needs and aesthetic preferences.

From maximizing storage to investing in quality appliances, each decision you make now will play a crucial role in your future enjoyment of your kitchen. By addressing these potential pitfalls and incorporating our tips, you can navigate the remodel process with confidence, and creating a space that exceeds your expectations.

If you're ready to kick-start your kitchen transformation, schedule a consultation with us to find out more about how we can help you create the kitchen of your dreams!

How to Fix A Faucet With Low Water Pressure

Your kitchen faucet was a champ, but suddenly you realize the water pressure isn’t what it used to be. What can cause this and how can you fix it?

This is a problem I see pretty regularly, especially for clients who have kitchen faucets where the whole head is detachable, as in the photo below.

This Delta kitchen faucet has a detachable sprayer head - these types of faucets are particularly vulnerable to getting clogged with debris.

For one, Tucson’s water is very hard and can be rough on the delicate internal parts in modern faucets. Second, if you have had plumbing work done recently and the water was shut off to the house for a period of time, debris that had settled in your pipes may have been disturbed and made its way to your fixtures when the water was turned back on, clogging sensitive parts.

Here are the two main likely culprits for the low water pressure you are experiencing with your faucet:

Debris in the aerator. Every faucet comes equipped with a small part at the end of the faucet where the water comes out. This part is called an aerator. It is what determines the flow rate of the water, and gives the water a nice stream when you turn on the faucet.

The white honeycomb piece in the center is the aerator.

The aerator can easily get clogged with debris, so the first step to fixing your water pressure issue is to remove the aerator and inspect it. If you see visible debris once removed, it is usually worth replacing the aerator. If you are not sure how to remove your faucet’s aerator, see “Tips for removing an aerator” at the end of this article.

If you do not see visible debris, try turning on the faucet without the aerator and assess the water pressure. If the pressure looks good, try soaking the aerator overnight in a solution of vinegar and salt (pickle juice works perfectly for this), or replace it.

Most aerators can be purchased for around $5, though those with special finishes or spray modes can cost as much as $60 to replace. If that still does not solve your issue, or the water pressure without the faucet head is still low, read on.

Debris in the check valve(s). If your kitchen faucet has a detachable sprayer head, it likely has a check valve (or two) located either where the head attaches to hose, or where the hose attaches to the rest of the faucet under the sink. Check both ends of the hose for a small plastic piece.

Here is an example of a check valve that is placed right where the sprayer head connects to the faucet hose. There may also be a similar looking check valve where the hose connects to the rest of the faucet under the sink.

The purpose of a check valve is to prevent water from coming back up through the faucet and into your water lines. The only way this would happen is if you left the whole sprayer head submerged under water; for example, in a pot you are soaking. For most people that is not an issue, so if you find that the check valve is the problem, it may be worth simply removing it. Use a pair of needle nose pliers if required.

Tips for removing an aerator:

Some aerators are held in by a trim piece, and others are screwed into the faucet or faucet head directly. Either way, some part must be unscrewed, and the threads can sometimes be difficult to loosen, especially if the faucet has not be serviced in a long time.

• If you have a standard faucet, as pictured below, grip the aerator or trim piece with either a rubber strap wrench, or slip joint pliers (Channel Locks) and a rag or rubber pad to avoid marring the metal surface. From the perspective of looking into the faucet pipe (as if you would get water right into your eye if the faucet were on) turn counter-clockwise.

For this standard faucet, use Channel Locks or a rubber strap wrench to unscrew the aerator/trim piece.

• Other aerators screw in, but require a notched key that fits around the circumference of the aerator. This is usually the case if you have a detachable faucet head. First, check if there is a slot in the middle of the aerator to use a flathead screwdriver; some models include this feature for ease. If not, you will need the proper key. Check the original faucet box if you have it, as the key may have been included. Otherwise, you can either locate the key in stores or online, or take the whole head to a local plumbing shop that would have the key (we recommend Bonnets, Stems & Accessories in Tucson). The head should easily unscrew from the hose. Note that each manufacturer makes different keys, so make sure to find out which one you need before ordering one.

Some styles require a key to unscrew the aerator. Unfortunately, these keys are not standardized across manufacturers.

The slot in this aerator is designed to allow use of a flat head screwdriver for installation and removal. A very helpful feature!

Wrapping Up

Issues with these two parts, the aerator and the check valve(s), are the most common causes for your faucet’s low water pressure.

If you are in Tucson, I strongly encourage you to head to Bonnets, Stems & Accessories for these type of small plumbing parts and associated issues. We are not affiliated with their business, just appreciative of what they offer to the community. They keep most standard aerators and keys in stock, and will happily take a look at any parts you bring in. Sometimes they can even replace or clean the parts for you themselves - with pickle juice!

The easiest way to prevent this issue in the future is to remove all aerators prior to shutting off the water supply in your house. Ask your contractor or plumber to do this if you are not comfortable doing so yourself.

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We hope this article was helpful. If you have gone through these steps and are still having issues with your faucet, or you would rather not do this yourself, it may be worth hiring a professional. Click the link below to get in touch with us.