Planning a kitchen is super exciting. It’s a chance to create your dream space to whip up delicious foods for the whole family. But, let’s be honest, there are so many details to consider, and it’s easy to get caught up in the glamour and forget about the practical stuff. To save yourself from regretting any changes, here are 17 common kitchen design mistakes and how to avoid them.
Overcrowding Your Space
When it comes to your kitchen, storage will always be a top priority, but cramming your kitchen with cabinets, furniture, and appliances can turn your dream room into a claustrophobic nightmare.
The key here is balance, so make sure there’s at least 36 inches of clearance between counters and islands to keep things flowing. Prioritise what you actually need and stick to a layout that feels open and airy.
Ignoring Work Triangle Rules
The classic work triangle—sink, hob, fridge—exists for a reason! It’s all about creating a smooth, easy workflow. But the thing is, if these three elements are miles apart or awkwardly aligned, you’ll be doing laps around your kitchen just to make a sandwich. Even for smaller kitchens, the work triangle layout creates a much smoother process.
Choosing Style Over Functionality
You might have been dreaming of smooth, glossy countertops, but have you thought about the fingerprints? Also, open shelving might look modern, but it soon becomes a problem when you realise you’ll spend half your life dusting.
Choose finishes and layouts that balance style with practicality, and you’ll thank yourself when your kitchen still looks fab a few years down the line.
Relying on a Single Light Source
Lighting is everything, especially in the kitchen, but if you rely solely on ceiling lights, you’ll be cooking in shadows, which isn’t ideal. Think about layering your lighting with under-cabinet fixtures, soft pendants, or maybe even a few LEDs for a modern touch. A well-lit kitchen makes cooking much more enjoyable.
Skimping on Ventilation
While extractor fans aren’t exactly glamorous, they are an absolute must, and without proper ventilation, your kitchen can end up smelling of last night’s food for days, not to mention there’ll also be a greasy build-up on surfaces, which can be hard to clean. To make life easier, go for a high-quality extractor hood, preferably ducted, to keep your kitchen fresh.
Choosing Unsuitable Flooring
Your kitchen floor takes a daily beating with spills, heavy foot traffic, and heat. While wood is beautiful, it doesn’t always play well with moisture, and tiles can be slippery when wet. For the best of both worlds, consider durable options like luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or non-slip porcelain tiles as they’re practical and still look amazing.
Ignoring Counter Space
Prepping dinner without any counter space can become a stressful juggle, and more often than not, things end up on the floor. Whether you’re chopping, mixing, or plating up, you need plenty of room to work, and even more so if you have a large household.
Try to maximise surfaces near your sink and hob and consider clever hacks like pull-out worktops if you’re short on space.
Oversizing an Island
When we picture our dream kitchen, there’s usually a large, polished island right in the middle, but keep in mind that bigger isn’t always better.
If you don’t have a huge kitchen, then oversized islands can crowd your space and make it tricky to move around. Always stick to a size that complements your kitchen layout, and always leave some space so you can easily walk around with hot plates and pans.
Forgetting Plug Socket Placement
Nothing would be more annoying than when you’re about to blend a smoothie and you realise the nearest plug socket is across the room. When designing your kitchen, think about where you’ll use your kettle, toaster, and other appliances, then position sockets accordingly. You could also consider pop-up sockets or USB outlets, as these can make life easier on islands.
Overcomplicating Cabinetry
Even though ornate cabinets might look beautiful, they’re often high-maintenance, especially when it comes to cleaning. Intricate designs are known for collecting dust, and glossy finishes show every single smudge. For a kitchen that’s easy to manage, keep it simple with sleek, easy-to-clean styles to save time on chores.
Choosing Fragile Materials
Sometimes, it’s hard to resist luxurious materials like marble or softwood, and while they might be tempting, they’re not always practical. They scratch, stain, and chip easily, which isn’t ideal for a kitchen with high amounts of traffic. Instead, opt for durable surfaces like quartz or engineered stone; they offer the same sophisticated look but are far less hassle.
Not Having a Splashback
Although skipping a splashback might save you money upfront, keep in mind you’ll have to pay for it in scrubbing time. Whether you go for tiles, glass, or stainless steel, a splashback protects your walls from grease and spills, so it could be worth the investment.
There are so many stylish features on the market, meaning you’re bound to find one that’ll suit your kitchen.
Poor Waste Management Planning
We can all agree that bins aren’t the most glamorous feature of a kitchen, but they are essential. You have to plan where your waste is going and make room for recycling; otherwise, you’ll end up with overflowing bins or awkwardly placed containers. If you want to keep them out of sight, then integrated pull-out bins could be the best option.
Installing High-Maintenance Features
Mirrored splashbacks? Ultra-dark cabinets? They look incredible at first, but their upkeep can be exhausting. These high-maintenance features might not be something you even think about until someone points them out to you. But by choosing finishes that are easy to clean and resistant to wear and tear, your kitchen stays looking its best without constant cleaning.
Forgetting to Consider Noise Levels
A noisy kitchen can be surprisingly stressful, and hard surfaces like stone floors and metal fixtures amplify sounds, making the space echoey and loud. By including soft touches like rugs, cushions, or even acoustic panels to absorb noise, your kitchen becomes a more peaceful place to be. Just make sure any fabric furnishings are away from areas where you might spill things.
Underestimating Storage Needs
You can never have too much storage in a kitchen, and while skipping on cabinets or shelving might look minimalist, it often leads to cluttered counters and lots of frustration. Maximise every inch of your kitchen with deep drawers, pull-out organisers, and pantry cupboards to keep everything neat and accessible.
Skipping Professional Advice
Last but not least, designing a kitchen yourself can be fun, but getting input from a professional is invaluable. They can spot issues you might not even think of, like poor flow or mismatched materials, meaning a consultation can save you time, money, and stress, leaving you with a kitchen you’ll love for years.