Who would not want a new kitchen? Even though I would have done things differently, I certainly do not want my old kitchen back! It seems you have done everything right. You are lucky to have found the forum in your developing stages. It is hard not to second guess and over think such an important project. You will be happy with yoour finished kitchen.

On our last remodel, for a house we only stayed in for 2 yrs :( , i thought the kitchen was well worth it! We are at the start of our current reno and I had flashes of worry when i started paying out all this $$ for stuff but now I am super exited. And our financial situation is less than stellar right now. But it will add so much to the quality of our homebody life.

My only regret is that we moved so quickly from our last house and that no one (it is renting now) will appreciate all the detail and expense that went into that kitchen.

Good question and I wonder that as well......we're 80% complete. Finishing the painting this weekend and cabinets to be delivered Tuesday. Like you second guessing everything but as things have come together I am feeling a little more confident. In this redo we added the main bathroom and powder room which are complete but for cabinets and I am pleased with those decisions. Good luck as has been suggested on many occasions on this forum keep a stocked wine cellar!

Just me but 2 remodels in last 5 years behind me. Only regret is not doing more. Only WOW check, double check, triple check, see-it-all-in-person, research feedback, believe the conventional wisdom and don't think you'll be the exception. It will not be perfect, problems will arise, compromises will be made. If it's been well planned, checked and thought through it will be fine.

IT IS ALL WORTH IT! This is a major investment and the payback is in the enjoyment of the kitchen and enhanced value of your home. I researched and agonized over every decision (I had thought it would be easier), but in the end I love cooking and being in my kitchen. In retrospect there are a few things I would have done differently, but am comfortable knowing that I didn't make any hasty decisions.

Like you, I waited to decide on the backsplash (and island pendants). Good idea to get that perspective and feedback from forum.

It sounds like you have planned well...take a deep breath and good luck in June.

Thanks everyone! I'm about all decided out, but still trooping along. I LOVE my other remodels (master bath, basement) and would never go back. Thanks for the reminder. I'm about to get furloughed by the state of NY which will reduce my paycheck by 20% until the mafioso dip$hits in our legislature pass a budget. NOT good timing AT ALL.

LOL @ debpic1. I'm not much of a drinker, but I may need that LOL. My husband is a hobby winemaker. We turned a basement bedroom into a wine cellar when we finished our basement. So 'check' on the wine ;-)

The joy I get from our reno (and all the other work we've done and are doing on our house, including furnishing and decorating it finally!) are well worth it to me. :-)

I now EXACTLY how you feel!! I was ALL about the research and the choices. But once that was done and the installation was beginning, I was a wreck! Im such a visual person and not being able to actually see what I picked out was killing me!!
In the end, I am SO happy with it all. I walk into this kitchen every morning and just feel happy, calm, organized and grateful. You will too.

Good luck!

My "new" kitchen is now five years old and I have to say it is SO worth it. The only thing I would say contrary to that is that some of the obsessing I did about some of the decisions was really over the top and not warranted. However if you're kind of anal it's hard not to do that when you're spending a ton of money and particularly if like me, this is a once in a lifetime situation.

I haven't learned by the experience though - now I'm obsessing over a bathroom remodel. In fact I've worn myself out to the point that I've taken a break from the whole idea.

great post! It is nice to know that others feel as I do....very conflicted, doubtful, overwhelmed and excited all at the same time

jem199
While you are doing it, it is rather daunting and difficult. I have buyer's remorse all the time.

I have done 4 separate large phases of remodel in the past 13 years of marriage. I have picked countless color samples, tiles, etc etc in that period. I have spent so much money that I am embarrased to admit to myself how much. We have embarked on yet another remodel.

I painted my kids playroom using true red and periwinkle blue, and it came out fabulous. My TV room is dark eggplant color. It has been exciting and scary at the same time taking these bold steps. People always say that paint is cheap. Well it's not when you are paying someone else to do the painting! Every decision locks in the choice and closes other possibilities and that is not a comfortable place to be for most of us because we are not certain of the outcome until we can see it!

When you put alot of thought into it, it almost always turns out great. There may be a few minor details that you are not completely satisfied, but in the whole, it is so much better than what you started out with that it is all worth it.

I wish you the best.

Like gibby3000 I did the once in a lifetime kitchen and now I'm on to the bathroom. Did I learn anything while choosing every item I put in the kitchen? No. I'm laying awake at night rethinking everything I chose before I went to bed. So far I've changed my mind on the floor 4 times. The remodel is scheduled for July. Either it will get here too soon or it won't get here soon enough. I suppose it will end up being whatever I've chosen that day. The good news is GW is so full of information I can learn about things I'd never heard of before. And the bad news is GW is so full of information I can learn about things I'd never heard of before.

If I were asked if I'd to it again, the answer is YES. Even spending the money, I would do it again. My kitchen is beautiful! My kitchen is wonderful! My kitchen is a real kitchen!

I like my new kitchen, but don't love it because I deeply regret the effort and expense that went into creating it. In fact, working in it makes me feel a little sad; I feel like it was such a waste of time and money.

I LOVED my kitchen... did it all according to all the good advice on here, moved a wall, got custom cabs, stainless steel, quartz, new hardwood, etc, etc... and enjoyed it for 4 years until we chose to move for a job rather than drive a long commute. Better for our lives, but I wish I had that money back now, as we are in a house with builders grade everything and no equity or extra money to change it. I hope the new owners are enjoying all my goodies. I know the kids are enjoying their dad being able to get home in time for their games and events, and in the big picture, doing the kitchen helped sell my house, so it might even out.

Cheril, yours is a sad post, but I understand your feelings. We just redid our bathroom due to a shower pan leak. It was a struggle, and at times I was near tears, but I am happy with the way it turned out. However, if it had not been necessary, I would feel the same way that you do...all that anxiety and money just for a new bathroom?

Its definitely a hardship taking out all your savings to remodel your kitchen, but in the end I agree it is all well worth it. It has brought the value of our home up, but more so it has made me so much happier to live, cook and enjoy company in my kitchen and enjoy it for many years to come. I look forward to tax season next year to remodel our bathroom.

jem199 - this is a great site to learn to budget yourself. There are so many kitchens here that are so beautiful .. great example momtoboys wow for under $2000 I'm so impressed with what they di, but it looks like you're already prepared. I put off my backsplash for almost 2 months now. I finally made my decision and got my "friend contractor" back to do the install next week!

Good Luck!

I remember being exactly where you are now. One moment I was excited to finally see my horribly disfunctional little kitchen finally go, the next I was convinced the reno was going to be a disaster and a huge waste of money!

For me all of it was definately worth it. I love my new kitchen - I still hum to myself when I am in it! I never did that in the old k itchen. I'm not saying it was easy, and there were many days I was sorry to have started the whole thing (Don't tell my DH) Just stay the course and get through this part and I hope you will be as happy as I am when you get to the other end.

And compliments help too! Don't forget to have a little party to celebrate when you are done. Now that we are a few months post reno our friends all rave when they see all the work finally finished.

Cheril27, hopefully time will ease the regret and you will feel the joy you were hoping for when you first launched your kitchen project. ((((hugs)))

I seconded guess myself all the time and it took a lot of fun out of the task. Also, somehow I researched and researched and ended up changing my mind at the last minute or made decisions too quickly. I really thought it would be more fun and less stress than it ended up being. Am I happy with the result? Yes, but sometimes I ask myself how I ended up where I did; it was certainly not what I thought I would end up with but I like it nonetheless. Am I crazy about? No. If I could do one thing over, it would be to spend less money. In this economy, I probably didn't make a good investment. Would I do it again? Yes and now I have a pretty good idea how to make it less stressful.

Cheril,

If you would like to share, what specifically makes you feel this way? Could anything have been done differently so you wouldn't have so many negative associations with the room? Yours was certainly a thought provoking post.

Doraville,

How would you make it less stressful if you started another remodel?

Thank you both.