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Most Common Mistakes Made When Designing a Kitchen

Most Common Mistakes Made When Designing a KitchenWhether for a client or yourself, kitchen renovation is no easy feat. Get familiar with the common mistakes made in kitchen design to avoid them.

A kitchen layout shouldn’t just prioritize a stunning façade; it should also foster functionality!

Folks bouncing between recipe and stove, assembling school lunches, entertaining guests—in most kitchens, there’s a lot of movement for a designer to consider.

As you might know, I’m the author of the bestselling book Happy Habits. Inside my book I share a range of habits which boost happiness.

In my research, I learned that creating a home which feels like a sanctuary is a big predictor of happiness. With this in mind, let’s look below to see the most common mistakes made when designing a kitchen – so you can avoid making them in your kitchen or your client’s home.

Poor Circulation

The ability to move freely is a perk in any room, but especially the kitchen. You can avoid cramping your kitchen by aiming for four feet of space between countertops or islands. In smaller kitchens, three and a half feet of space will suffice.

Wrong Appliance and Cabin Sizes

Nothing’s worse than getting that luxury appliance you ordered in the mail only to find out it doesn’t fit in your layout. If you are ordering any of the following, measure your kitchen space meticulously:

  • Dishwasher
  • Refrigerator
  • Overhead cabinets
  • Microwave

Many items can put a damper on your renovation progress if ordered in the wrong size. Double and triple-measure your area and remember to consider appliances that need space for movement—such as the refrigerator, oven, and cabinets with their doors.

Not enough ventilation

Cooking in the kitchen produces a lot of smoke and grease. Without proper ventilation, these emissions stay in the kitchen and result in poor indoor air quality. You can choose between ducted and ductless range hoods to eliminate this problem.

Ducted hoods work by removing the air from the kitchen, but this could pose problems in the winter when warm air is precious. In that case, you probably want to install a ductless range hood, which works by cleaning and recirculating the air instead of extracting it.

Lack of Personality

When perusing through interior design blogs or magazines, it can be easy to opt for the fad of the moment. Though it may be tempting to hop on the new trend, don’t let a design craze obscure your taste in the decorating process.

There are lots of unique ways to personalize your kitchen during or after the design process, creating some flexibility in your renovation process. Instilling character in your kitchen’s design will ensure you enjoy the space for years to come instead of despising it once a fad fades.

Insufficient Lighting

You can light a kitchen in several different ways. Any lighting you select should suit your aesthetic, and you should ensure it’s adequate for kitchen tasks.

Overhead lighting can be harsh, but not having sufficient lighting is still one of the most common mistakes made when designing a kitchen. To avoid unwanted shadows and illumination, play around with pendant lights and undercabinet lighting. A mix of both can create the perfect amount of light in any kitchen. This is the reason why hire an interior designer.

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