Kitchens are often the most important part of the home because not only do they add value when updated, but they’re also the most common to get updated due to wear and tear.
When planning out a new kitchen, you’ll want to focus on aesthetic choices made, such as the type of countertops you use, the color of cabinets, and the appliances you choose.
However, critical functional aspects can lead to daily frustration. From poor workflow to inadequate storage planning, here are some of the mistakes that most people get wrong when planning a new kitchen.
Neglecting the work triangle and the workflow of the space
The kitchen triangle, which is the path between the sink, hob, and fridge, should always be thought about when adapting the space. Disregarding the kitchen triangle can result in bottlenecks and inefficient cooking.
The best-looking kitchens fail if they’re hard to work in. If you’re ignoring where you prep food or place the dishwasher too far away from the sink, then this can create daily annoyances that you’ll ultimately want to fix.
Try to keep the distances between these three points to around 4-9 feet.
Underestimating storage needs and access
The right amount of storage and access to that storage is important to get right. The mistake many seem to make is prioritizing the number of cabinets over the type of storage you select.
You may find yourself creating dead corners or having too many shallow cupboards that don’t fit in the modern appliances properly.
Deep, custom drawers are often the preferred choice over standard cabinets for pots, pans, and ingredients. However, you want to make sure you have ample cabinets from cabinet makers to stock all your current inventory in.
Poor lighting design
Poor lighting design can be a problem that not everyone thinks about when it comes to planning out a new kitchen. Relying on one central overhead light, for example, can create shadows on worktops when you’re standing in front of them.
Task lighting is therefore essential so that you’re not prepping food, cooking, or cleaning up the kitchen in the dark. Make use of layered lighting from the ambient (overhead), task (under cabinet LED strips), and accent lights like pendants, where possible.
Overcrowding the space
If you’re overcrowding the space with the addition of a kitchen island when the room is in reality too small for it, it will mean failing to allow enough circulation and operational space around it.
An island that’s too large or poorly placed will block traffic and make the kitchen feel cramped. You should aim for a minimum of 3-4 feet of clearance around the island and between opposing countertops.
Ignoring practicality in material choices
The practicality of materials is often something that homeowners don’t think about when they’re designing a new kitchen. If you’re choosing high-gloss cabinets, then they’ll show fingerprints. Porous materials like marble will also stain easily, and neither is ideal for busy family homes with little ones.
Try to prioritize more durable and low-maintenance materials like matte finishes and quartz if you’ve got a busy household and little fingers that are constantly dirty or sticky.
Make sure not to make the same mistakes that are made by homeowners when it comes to designing your new kitchen this year.
