14 Common Kitchen Design Mistakes You Should Avoid at All Costs

After watching all those celebrity features on Architectural Digest and discovering how one can elevate a kitchen, we’ve all felt inspired to channel our inner architects and make our dreams come true. But a perfect kitchen is hardly achieved, especially when you’re quick to make decisions and pick aesthetic over practicality. Here are some kitchen design mistakes you’ll regret making if you don’t think before you design.

Breaking The Triangle

Kitchen designers call the placement of the fridge, the stove/oven, and the sink the triangle. You’ll find almost every kitchen has a closely-placed triangle, but now and then, some are tempted to break it. While it might seem aesthetically pleasing, you’ll find breaking the triangle is impractical. If either (the fridge, the stove, or the sink) is too far apart or in opposite directions, you’ll be scurrying around, leading to a bigger mess.

Poor Lighting

Never be tempted by those fancy lighting fixtures that you’ll find only in fancy restaurants. You might think you’re elevating your kitchen’s look, but you’re only setting yourself up for a dark future. You need to place the lighting carefully, highlighting the stove and cupboards but not letting your shoulder fall in the way of your cooking.

Choosing The Wrong Materials

Marble and other natural stones are among kitchen countertops’ most commonly chosen materials. While they certainly look the part, they wear out quickly. Most natural stones are highly porous, making them easier to break down, crack, and stain permanently. You’re better off with more practical materials, especially after consulting with a professional.

Ignoring Ventilation

A kitchen that isn’t aired out frequently allows all sorts of odors to linger, so you’ll be dealing with a smelly and stuffy kitchen with no way to fix it. Ensure you’ve got a ventilation system that sucks up all the heat and takes it away from the kitchen because the longer your appliances are exposed to heat, the quicker they’ll wear out. It’s best if your ventilation system is spread out to avoid any grease and heat buildup.

Not Planning Proper Space

Never design a kitchen without considering your appliances and cutlery. Most appliances are bulky, while cutlery requires sturdy and harmless storage to preserve its delicateness. If you’re going for a vast counter space but don’t apply the same design concept to cupboards, you’ll be dealing with a messy kitchen and counter for the rest of your life.

Skipping Outlets

You might think outlet placement matters little, but having as many strategically placed outlets as possible is best. We recommend adding at least one outlet in each direction so you don’t have to be restricted to a single counter while using multiple appliances. It’s also best to be a little distanced from hot spots like the stove so you don’t damage your electrical appliances.

Overcrowding With Furniture

It’s not only the triangle that matters; many big kitchens come with enough space to add furniture, like a dining table and chairs. While it’s certainly attractive to add furniture like this, you must ensure you’re not interfering with the kitchen’s practicality with the furniture. Don’t force furniture placement; only go for it when you know it won’t make the kitchen look cramped and uncomfortable.

Creating Cramped Walkways

Speaking of cramped, ensure you’ve got plenty of space for at least 2 people to walk through the kitchen. Even if you’re the only one cooking, you should have enough space to easily maneuver through the kitchen or make it easier for others to walk through if needed. Cramped walkways only hurt you and anyone else who steps into the kitchen while you’re cooking.

Going For Open Shelving

Open-shelf kitchens are all the rage nowadays, but don’t let the trends swoop you off your feet. Open-shelf kitchens look cute and trendy and might even be practical because you don’t have to dodge cabinet doors to take out stuff, but they have other cons up their sleeve. They make dangerous appliances easy to reach for children and make any kitchen messes more obvious.

Choosing The Wrong Colors

Not many people know that the color they choose can impact the way their kitchen feels. Sure, dark cabinets and dark walls fit the aesthetic, but it won’t take long before you feel suffocated because the dark interior overpowers the entire space and makes it look cramped. It’s best to paint a small kitchen with bright colors to make it look spacious, and choose dark colors when dealing with too much space.

Poor Dishwasher Placement

Not everyone places the dishwasher under the sink, but that doesn’t mean you place them several meters apart. It’s best to place the dishwasher close to the sink for easy rinsing and storage. That’s not all; never place the dishwasher anywhere it can hurt you; remember, opening the door makes the space small, so putting it in cramped corners only increases the chances of running into it.

Forgetting About Trash and Recycling Bins

It’s easy to forget about where to put your trash and recycling bins when planning your kitchen. But if they end up in a weird spot or just sitting out in the open, it can mess up the whole flow and look of your space. A great way to avoid this is by using pull-out bins hidden inside a cabinet. This keeps your kitchen looking tidy, organized, and free from clutter.

Neglecting a Dedicated Pantry Space

Not having a pantry or enough food storage can quickly turn your counters into a mess and overfill your cabinets. Even a small, well-organized pantry can make a huge difference in keeping your kitchen neat. If you don’t have much room, try pull-out shelves or tall, vertical storage options. Having a dedicated place for your food makes everything easier to find and keeps your space feeling organized.

Not Planning The Corners

A common yet small mistake many kitchen designers make is ignoring corners with drawer designs. If you’re placing drawers adjacent or parallel to each other, they must have enough space between them to open without colliding. It’s also best to avoid placing drawers in the corner because they only get stuck with the wall or scrape it every time you open them.

More For You

While you try to avoid these common mistakes when planning your kitchen design, you should check the latest trends, too. These tips will allow you to plan your kitchen that will look modern and stylish.

This article was first published on RB ITALIA Blog.