Make your kitchen both visually pleasing and practically useful!
Designing a kitchen can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to making choices about the layout, colour schemes, and appliances.
Many people focus too much on contemporary design trends, and forget to consider the kitchen’s workflow and the style of the rest of the home.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the most common kitchen interior design mistakes and how to avoid them.
Let’s begin!
Ignoring details, especially the workflow
When it comes to designing a kitchen, every little detail counts.
Like we said, it’s easy to get carried away by what you’ve seen in magazines or on TV, and forget about the functionality of your kitchen.
One of the most significant design mistakes is not taking into account your unique workflow and how you’ll be using each area of your kitchen.
Think about creating zones that serve specific purposes. For instance, storing your spices and oils in the same area where you’ll be cooking can simplify food preparation, while keeping your dish and flatware storage near your dishwasher makes cleanup easier.
Workflow is a key consideration in choosing kitchen flooring materials.
Not considering how much storage space you need
In kitchen design, it’s crucial to consider how much storage space you’ll need.
A lot of people opt to prioritise aesthetics over storage capacity when planning the design, which leads to the kitchen looking disorganised and cramped.
Just as an example – while open shelving and glass cabinets look nice, having too many can create a messy look.
So, make sure to prioritise closed cabinet space before adding open shelves or glass cabinets.
Poor lighting
Lighting is an important aspect of kitchen design that is often overlooked. Good lighting can make a big difference in how your kitchen looks and functions.
It’s important to have both task lighting and ambient lighting in your kitchen.
- Task lighting is used for specific tasks like cooking and food preparation.
- Ambient lighting is used to create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your kitchen.
Make sure to have overhead lighting on dimmer switches so you can adjust the brightness level as needed.
This is especially important for evening and night time use. Dimmer switches can create a softer, more relaxed atmosphere while still providing ample lighting.
Want to remodel your kitchen? Here’s how you can prepare for a kitchen remodel.
Getting a kitchen island without considering whether it will fit
A kitchen island is undoubtedly a luxurious addition to a kitchen, and will add to its visual appeal.
However, it does take up a lot of space, and you really need to consider whether the island fits your overall kitchen layout.
In reality, many homes don’t have enough space to accommodate an island. And even if it just about fits, it will make it difficult for people to walk freely around the kitchen.
So, talk with your kitchen designer whether your kitchen space can accommodate an island. If not, discuss alternative options.
Cluttering the countertop
This is a common problem if you have a lot of small appliances. While individually they seem small and easily accommodated on the countertop, as a whole they will take up too much space and clutter your kitchen counter!
Even if you have the most beautiful appliances in the market, they can still look overwhelming and unorganised when taken together.
To avoid this, consider a dedicated appliance storage when designing your kitchen.
One solution is to add an “appliance garage” that can keep your appliances hidden and tidy.
Or, you can ask the designer if a walk-in pantry space is feasible for your home.
Plan ahead and make sure you have enough space to keep your kitchen looking neat and clean.
Want a new countertop? Here are the best kitchen countertop materials.
Too many power outlets
Having accessible power outlets in the kitchen is important, especially if you use your small appliances regularly.
However, one common design mistake is having too many power outlets in the kitchen. For example, outlets scattered all over your backsplash can cancel out all the other work you’ve done and ruin your kitchen’s aesthetics.
To avoid this mistake, carefully plan where you’ll need power, and place outlets thoughtfully, without cramping the view.
Consider hiding them under upper cabinets or in a corner where they won’t be directly visible.
This will keep your kitchen looking tidy while ensuring that you have enough outlets where you need them.
Making kitchen cabinets too deep
Having deep kitchen cabinets may seem like a good idea for extra storage, but it can actually be a mistake.
Items placed in the back of deep cabinets can collect dust and be difficult to reach.
To avoid this, consider adding roll-out trays to your base cabinets.
These trays allow you to fully extend your storage and make it easier to find items that may be hidden in the back of the cabinet.
By using roll-out trays, you can still have plenty of storage space without sacrificing accessibility and functionality.
Want to have new kitchen cabinets? Contact our custom furniture making team.
Not making the kitchen design match the rest of the home
This is actually something that happens with any particular room design – you plan the design on its own and then it doesn’t match the style and architecture of the rest of the house.
It’s important to ensure that your kitchen design complements the rest of your home’s aesthetic.
For example, a modern, minimalist kitchen may not fit well in a traditional home with ornate decorations.
Your kitchen should feel like a natural extension of the rest of your home, rather than a separate entity.
Overusing stainless steel
Stainless steel appliances have been popular in kitchens for years, but too much of a good thing can be a mistake.
Using only stainless steel can make a kitchen feel cold and sterile. It’s perfectly fine to mix metals, as long as it’s done with intention.
The key is to repeat additional metal finishes in more than one place.
Cabinet hardware is a perfect place to start mixing it up. A combination of stainless and brass hardware can add visual interest to your kitchen.
Have a smaller kitchen? Check out our blog post on design tips for a small kitchen.
Avoiding kitchen design mistakes – conclusion
In conclusion, kitchen design is about much more than just aesthetics.
A functional kitchen should be designed with workflow in mind, provide ample storage space, have good lighting, and avoid common design mistakes like cluttering the countertop and having too many power outlets.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that your kitchen design complements the rest of your home’s aesthetic.
By avoiding these mistakes, you can have a kitchen that not only looks great but also works well.
If you’re looking to consult with a professional interior designer on kitchen interior design, contact us today!
