Avoid These Mistakes During Your Kitchen Installation for a Stylish Finish
Designing your dream kitchen is fun. A kitchen renovation is a big investment, and avoiding common kitchen design mistakes will give you a functional and beautiful outcome. Here’s how to avoid the pitfalls during your kitchen installation and get the perfect kitchen.
1. Skipping the Planning Stages
Not thinking about how much space you need for storage, seating and food prep can lead to a kitchen layout disaster.
How to Avoid It:
- Work with an experienced designer or kitchen designer to plan it out.
- Think about the flow of the cooking area, dining area and eating area.
- Allow enough space to move between key areas like the sink, stove and fridge.
2. Not Enough Counter Space
One of the biggest mistakes is not including enough counter space for meal prep and small appliances like a coffee machine or blender.
How to Avoid It:
- Prioritise kitchen worktops with enough space for everyday tasks.
- Add a kitchen island or breakfast bar for extra worktop space.
- Make sure your kitchen design has space for both function and form.
3. Not Enough Lighting
A good kitchen needs layers of ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting to light up every nook.
How to Avoid It:
- Use natural light by maximising windows and minimising obstructions on wall space.
- Install task lighting under wall cabinets and accent lighting above the kitchen island.
- Ensure enough lighting for food prep and seating areas.
4. Style Over Function
Functionality is often forgotten and design mistakes follow, like wasted space or awkward layouts.
How to Avoid It:
- Invest in clever storage solutions, like pull-out spice racks and drawer organisers.
- Choose hardwearing, practical materials, like durable flooring and easy-to-clean kitchen worktops.
- Plan for waste disposal solutions that fit into your design.
5. Not Enough Storage Space
Not utilising open shelving or underutilising base cabinets and wall cabinets can lead to chaos.
How to Avoid It:
- Add pull-out pantries or corner carousels to your design.
- Use vertical space with tall kitchen cabinets or open shelving for everyday items.
- Store small appliances and utensils in dedicated spaces.
6. Bad Appliance Placement
Stainless steel appliances in the wrong place or not leaving enough space around them can disrupt the flow of your kitchen.
How to Avoid It:
- Position appliances in the “kitchen triangle” for a functional cooking area.
- Leave enough clearance for fridge and oven doors to open.
- Work with a professional to ensure appliance placement fits with your design.
7. Not Enough Ventilation
Lack of ventilation means cooking smells linger and moisture builds up.
How to Avoid It:
- Get a good extractor fan for proper ventilation.
- Make sure your range hood is big enough for your cooking area.
8. Underestimating Wall Space
Unused wall space is a wasted opportunity for extra function and style.
How to Avoid It:
- Use open shelving for everyday items.
- Add hooks for pots, pans and utensils to use more space.
- Create a feature wall with a splashback that reflects your personality.
9. Not the Dining Area
Overcrowding the floor space or not designating a clear dining area makes the kitchen feel small.
How to Avoid It:
- Make sure the kitchen layout has enough space for seating and circulation.
- Choose compact tables and chairs for one room or open-plan spaces.
- Add a breakfast bar as a flexible seating option.
10. Not Budgeting
A kitchen renovation can blow out your budget if you don’t budget for new cabinets, appliances and finishes.
How to Avoid It:
- Set a budget at the planning stage and leave room for contingencies.
- Save money by choosing budget-friendly materials without sacrificing quality.
- Get expert advice on where to splurge and where to cut back.
Conclusion
From storage to lighting, planning at the design stage will save you time, money and stress.
Work with a kitchen designer or professionals to make your renovation project run smoothly and get the kitchen of your dreams.
