The kitchen is the heart of your home. It is the place that entices us with the aroma of our favourite food and where the family gathers to create warm moments. But a poorly designed kitchen could be an uninspiring place and make cooking a dreary experience.
A perfect kitchen is not only functional but also has an aesthetic appeal. So, if you are designing a new kitchen or revamping the existing one, it will be helpful to know about the common kitchen design mistakes. Avoiding these flaws will make your kitchen more functional, visually appealing as well as your family’s go-to happy place.
Is There Something Wrong With Your Kitchen Layout?
Here are the 10 most common kitchen design mistakes many tend to make while designing their kitchen:
Not Fixing a Budget
Maintaining a budget helps to ensure ‘design discipline’ so you don’t go overboard, but you are also more likely to stick to what is relevant and necessary. Prioritise functionality while calculating your kitchen designing budget.
Unplanned Layout
It is a common mistake to not give adequate attention to the layout of the kitchen. A well-planned design will ensure smooth functioning space for all types of kitchens, small or large. When planning the layout, keep the work triangle in mind – the stove, sink, and refrigerator. They mustn’t be too far away from each other, and there should be enough space to move around.
Placement of appliances is also crucial for a sensible kitchen layout. A strategic layout will make your kitchen more organised and neat, as well as make it more functional.
Not Enough Storage Options
Adequate storage helps in maintaining the neatness of the kitchen and prevents clutter. Having cabinets alone may not be enough, allocate space for every little thing you routinely require. Make a list of every item in the kitchen, including pots and pans, plates, glasses, cups, mugs, appliances, knives, etc. and plan space for each.
A good idea is to maximise vertical space through cabinets that extend to the ceiling. Another advantage of such cabinets is that they don’t leave much space on the top, preventing dust build-up. Optimise every inch by using deep cabinets, under-sink storage, drawer dividers, pantry pullouts, corner shelves, and more.
Poor Lighting
The right lighting is essential to help the kitchen function to its full potential. Kitchens need proper and enough light for better visibility and safe functioning. Cooking in the shadows can be a frustrating experience. Not just the work area, but every space in the kitchen should be well-lit.
Multiple light sources could be an excellent idea for a kitchen, depending upon the area. Also, prioritise functionality over the visual appeal of the lights so that there is enough light to help you work better in the kitchen. Bright LED lights, shelf, and under-cabinet lights, bigger pendant lighting, etc. could help make your kitchen brighter and more cheerful.
Not Planning Electrical Outlets
While you may plan the outlet for bigger appliances such as the fridge and oven, you often overlook smaller ones for appliances such as a toaster or mixer. It could then lead to cluttered counters and cause inconvenience.
Thus, it could be a good idea to make a list of every electrical appliance in the kitchen and plan the electrical outlets sensibly, so they remain out of sight but functional.
Overlooking the Workflow
A good workflow is about the ease of using the kitchen. It allows you to move around conveniently and enables easy access to everything you need while cooking. If there is no consideration given to it, the cooking process can be tedious. A smooth workflow not only makes cooking pleasant but also saves time.
Here is where the work triangle of the stove, fridge, and the sink comes in. Well-placed items can prevent you from running to and fro every time you cook. A good kitchen workflow is necessary to increase functionality as well as making it more efficient.
A Narrow Countertop
A kitchen island gives you enough space to chop and prepare for cooking, but what about smaller kitchens? Not including enough workspace can be a grave mistake while designing your kitchen as it could cause many inconveniences. No matter how much storage you have or how good your kitchen looks, insufficient countertop space could make your kitchen cluttered and unclean.
Getting a spacious countertop helps, but if that is not possible, try including additional space where you can. A wall-mounted foldable table could help, or a pullout can help.
Wrong Appliance Choices
Appliances are integral to an efficient kitchen. But, many go by the trends rather than need and function. For example, do you need a toaster or a large refrigerator? Buy appliances that you will utilise and not what your friend or neighbour has. When you buy an appliance, look for functionality and purpose over looks.
Another common mistake about appliances is not including them in the design layout. In the planning map itself, mark space for your appliances, but at the same time, you will have to get the dimensions right or else, all your designing efforts will go waste.
Also, note that while installing your appliances, choose the optimal location to enable better functioning and ensure that there is enough space for the door opening. The appliances should also work with the flow of the kitchen as well as fit in with the design.
Too Many Colours or No Colours
White kitchens have been a popular choice for years, but now, dark kitchens are also trending. Even in dark kitchens, a cabinet with a bright colour or knobs in metallic colours can add to the appeal of the kitchen. A colourful kitchen doesn’t sound or feel great, but at the same time, a kitchen with no colours can be a drab. The key is to find a balance.
A pop of colour in the form of bright coloured appliances or beautiful artwork or an appealing backsplash adds cheer to a kitchen. Dual-toned kitchen cabinets are also trendy now. You could also try beautiful window treatments to add some colour to your kitchen.
DIY Kitchen Designing
A kitchen designing or remodelling cannot be done often. Thus, if you take care of every detail and create a dream kitchen, it will last for years. But will a DIY project work? Not really. Many would like to go about designing on their own because they think hiring an expert would be expensive, but poor design choices and substandard workmanship can substantially add to your costs.
Interior design experts know their job and are also familiar with the latest trends, designs and tweaks. They could help you plan the layout, choose the right appliances and create cabinets that transform your kitchen from an ordinary space into an efficient, organised, beautiful, modern and functional kitchen. When you let experts handle your kitchen designing, you can also ensure a long-lasting kitchen that will be your happy place for years to come!
It is crucial that you give a lot of thought while designing your kitchen. A poorly designed kitchen is a recipe for disaster. Not just that, it isn't very easy to make amends later if everything is not pre-planned. A well-planned kitchen will serve you in the best way and make your life easier! When it comes to decorating your home space, customised to your taste and wishes, Hipcouch provides a premium and passionate service. To get in touch with our Team, call/whatsapp at +91 97698 91528 or contact us here.