7 Kitchen Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

7 Kitchen Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It is an ideal place not only for preparing food, but also for spending quality time with family and friends and talking. However, difficulties and mistakes encountered during kitchen design sometimes complicate our work. Mistakes in design can later lead to a loss of time and money. In this article, we will talk about the 7 most common mistakes that you can encounter during kitchen design and you will learn how to solve them correctly.

1. Choosing Appliances Before Planning

Rushing in the selection of appliances and buying appliances before planning is one of the biggest mistakes made in kitchen design. Buying appliances can limit the overall design of the kitchen and limit the functionality of the kitchen. It is important that each appliance is placed in a suitable way in the kitchen. Rushing to buy any appliances can cause problems with the overall flow.

This error manifests itself especially in large appliances. If you buy large appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, or dishwashers without proper measurements, this can lead to space problems later on. At the same time, the functions of the appliances also affect the design.

How to Avoid:

Before starting kitchen design, first plan the layout and flow of the space. Before choosing household appliances, determine the areas to be allocated for appliances according to the functional flow of the kitchen. The size and placement of your appliances will affect the overall flow of the kitchen. Before choosing your appliances, carefully evaluate what size and features they should have.

Additionally, pay attention to how energy-efficient and long-lasting the appliances are to maximize the use of the kitchen. This will not only help in terms of functionality, but will also help your kitchen run efficiently in the long run.

Additional tip: If you have a large kitchen, you can be more free to choose large appliances. In small kitchens, prefer more compact and multifunctional appliances. Modern kitchen technologies offer ideal solutions even for small kitchens.

2. Limited Storage Areas

Having enough storage space is essential to keep the kitchen tidy and efficient. Often people plan their kitchen without considering the storage space, which leads to clutter and clutter problems later on. In everyday life, when there is not enough space to keep your kitchen items tidy, it can lead to jams and disruption of workflow. Each item should have its place and be easily accessible during use.

Due to the lack of storage areas, it is difficult to find a suitable place for dishes, pots, food products and other kitchen accessories. As a result, the process of preparing food becomes more difficult and spending time in the kitchen becomes uncomfortable.

How to Avoid:

You need to designate special places for all the items in the kitchen. This applies to everything from pots and pans to food items. You can use wall cabinets and built-in wardrobes to create more storage space. Open shelving also helps the kitchen work well, both aesthetically and functionally.

In order to organize more efficient storage spaces in small kitchens, it is necessary to evaluate every corner of the space. For example, storage solutions to be hung from the empty spaces of the walls or shelves to be placed near the ceiling can solve the storage problem. Storage areas also allow for organized storage of dishes and kitchen utensils.

Additional tip: Using open shelves along with closed cabinets will add aesthetic beauty and be practical. Open shelves are convenient for frequently used items.

3. Bad Lighting

Lighting is important for the functionality and comfort of the kitchen. Most of the time when designing, this issue remains in the background, but it is a serious mistake. A kitchen that is not well lit is unpleasant both visually and practically. It also complicates your work. It is important to have enough light in the main working areas of the kitchen, such as the work surface, the counter and when cooking.

Lights that are too dim or too bright can reduce your comfort. Poorly lit kitchens can also pose a safety problem. Good lighting helps you easily see every tool and every food you use in the kitchen. For this reason, planning the lighting correctly is important from both a safety and an aesthetic point of view.

How to Avoid:

Combine three main types of lighting: main lighting (ceiling lights), work surface lighting (for counters and work areas) and accent lighting (to illuminate specific parts aesthetically). LED lights are a common type of kitchen lighting and are both economical and functional.

Using different types of light sources in the kitchen will make work easier and improve the overall aesthetic appearance of your kitchen. Proper use of light can make the kitchen appear more spacious and open.

Extra tip: Try to make the most of the daylight through the windows. Natural light is both better for health and makes a space look more alive.

4. Wrong Kitchen Island Design

Kitchen islands have become very popular in recent years, and it's no wonder. They are both aesthetically beautiful and practical. But if the island is not built in the right dimensions and location, it can create a nuisance in the kitchen. An island that is too large or poorly placed can interfere with other areas of the kitchen and make it difficult to move around.

The kitchen island can serve as additional storage space and work space in the kitchen. But if its dimensions and placement are not properly planned, it can disrupt the flow of the kitchen. Large islands constrict space in small kitchens, while too small islands may not be functional.

How to Avoid:

Match the size and location of the island with the overall layout of the kitchen. Placing an island that provides a convenient transition between the three main tasks in the kitchen, the stove, refrigerator and sink, will facilitate the workflow. The size of the island should match the overall layout of your kitchen.

5. Favoring Aesthetics Over Functionality

Creating an aesthetically beautiful kitchen is certainly desirable. But focusing only on beauty can risk the functionality of the kitchen. A kitchen that is aesthetically pleasing is uncomfortable to use if it is not functional. For example, if very beautiful, but very thin and difficult to use materials are chosen, this can cause problems when cooking in the kitchen.

In order for kitchen work to be convenient and fast, it is necessary to pay attention to functional planning. Appliances and other household items should be in places that can be easily reached during use.

How to Avoid:

When planning the design, pay attention to the fact that it is both beautiful and functional. Consider practical considerations such as counter heights, work area width, and storage space. The most frequently used parts of the kitchen should be easily accessible. It is very important to maintain a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Non-functional designs waste time and create inconvenience in use.

Additional tip: A minimalist approach is often successful in maintaining a balance between aesthetics and functionality. The minimalist design creates aesthetic beauty and facilitates the functional use of the kitchen.

6. Wrong Material Choice

Material selection is an extremely important step in kitchen design. Choosing materials that only look good but are not durable is not suitable for the long-term use of the kitchen. Kitchen countertops, floors and walls should be made of durable and usable materials.

Poor quality materials are quickly damaged and require replacement, which means additional costs. At the same time, the materials used in the kitchen should be easy to clean. It is very important to choose materials that are resistant to water, heat and scratches.

How to Avoid:

Choose durable and waterproof, heat-resistant materials for countertops and flooring. Materials like granite, quartz and marble are both beautiful and very durable. For floors, you need to choose waterproof materials. Tile and parquet floors are both aesthetically beautiful and functional. If you're considering granite or quartz, you can read more in our article on Comparing Quartz and Granite Countertops.

It is important to avoid poor materials, as this can cost more in the long run. Quality materials ensure longevity and comfort in daily use.

7. Failure to Consider Ventilation

Odors and fumes accumulate quickly in the kitchen. Improper installation of the ventilation system will cause these smells and oils to accumulate in your kitchen. Unfortunately, ventilation is an often overlooked aspect of kitchen design, but it is very important for both health and kitchen cleanliness.

A bad ventilation system causes the air to not circulate and food odors to spread throughout the kitchen. This causes concern not only for the kitchen, but also for other rooms of the house.

How to Avoid:

To build an effective ventilation system, choose the right aspirator and ventilation system. The ventilation system must be aesthetically pleasing to your space and must effectively remove odors and fumes. Modern technology aspirators work silently and do not disturb the aesthetic design of the kitchen.

The result

Kitchen design is not only about beauty. It is important to strike the right balance between functionality, comfort and aesthetic value. By avoiding the mistakes listed above, you can design a kitchen that is both functional and attractive. Carefully planning every detail in your kitchen will save you both time and financial resources in the future.

Ready to Design Your Dream Kitchen?

At Doca Boston, we specialize in creating customized kitchen designs that perfectly balance style and functionality. Whether you're planning a renovation or building a new home, our team of experts is here to help you every step of the way.