The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and it plays a vital role in supplying food and nourishment to the household.
To ensure a well-prepared and efficient kitchen space, it is essential to pay attention to every detail and maximize its potential for both aesthetic appeal and functionality, particularly for the person primarily using it, like the wife. In this article, we will discuss seven of the most prevalent kitchen design mistakes that are frequently made.
By understanding and avoiding these errors, you can create a kitchen that not only looks great but also serves its purpose seamlessly.
From protruding fridges to inadequate lighting, let's delve into the common pitfalls and explore practical solutions for a well-designed kitchen.
So today I want to talk about seven of the most common kitchen design mistakes.
1. sticking-out fridge
This is one of the most common design blenders that I see and it's a major major kitchen design error the sticking-out fridge.
Essentially, what this is is an oversight in the planning building or buying process that leaves the fridge protruding into the kitchen much more than it should be, unless you're doing a fully integrated fridge in which case you wouldn't have this problem.
In the first place most freestanding fridges will need to extend out a teeny bit beyond the cabinet's Encounters for the doors to have opening clearance, but if it's anything more than a couple of inches like if you can see the sides of your fridge it's too much it makes it look like your fridge doesn't fit and it's aesthetically not the best.
There's nobody anywhere that should intentionally want their fridge to look like this.
Typically, you'll see this happen when a standard-depth fridge is placed in a kitchen that needed a counter-depth fridge.
Unfortunately, a lot of people only realize that their fridge sticks out too much after they've already bought it and then put it in its place and it's too late so what's the fix?
Well, none of them are particularly cheap or easy.
Unfortunately, the best thing obviously would be if you can return your fridge and get a counter-depth fridge instead which is about 24 to 27 inches deep counter.
Depth fridges are typically a little bit more expensive than standard depth fridges for some reason so it's just something to keep in mind.
The other option might be to do some custom work around your existing fridge to make it look more integrated.
This might mean adding lateral cover panels to hide the side of your fridge bringing the top cabinets forward or maybe even adjusting your drywall or recessing the wall behind the fridge to push it back it's a lot of work or you can do what many people choose to do which is simply just live with it.
If you're in the process of planning a kitchen right now and you're not doing an integrated fridge make sure everyone including you is aware and on board with the depth and the width of your future fridge to ensure that it fits seamlessly into your new kitchen.
2. low Cabinetry
If you're designing or renovating your kitchen putting cabinets below waist level is a big mistake besides the one under your sink, whenever possible you should go with drawers instead.
Although I do have mixed feelings about low Corner drawers when they're closed they're fine but they look a little crazy when you pull them out and you lose the ability to store bigger things whereas, with a lazy Susan, you have more flexibility.
It depends on what you need to store.
In general, low cabinets are super impractical making it difficult to access your things with drawers, you can access all of your things by easily pulling them out.
When you have cabinets you're going to need to crouch down and rummage around in the dark.
It's super annoying and for people with mobility issues that space becomes completely inaccessible.
The first 12 inches are okay but anything beyond those first 12 inches does become a hassle to reach back there it's just not useful storage.
Most space cabinets are 24 to 30 inches deep so that means you're losing up to 18 inches of useful storage space per cabinet that adds up because don't forget there are going to be other areas of your kitchen that are not easily accessible as well that's high up.
So, what can you do if you have low cabinets and you're stuck with them?
Well, they can be used for things like smaller kitchen appliances that you don't reach for that often or you can use them like a mini pantry and store extra food like cans and extra boxes of cereal and pasta.
You can also create a makeshift drawer and put your things in bins and then pull those out.
It's a bit annoying but it's a workaround if you've got a low-corner cabinet you can install a lazy Susan.
Unfortunately, many people are still putting lower cabinets in their kitchens sometimes, it's to save money because drawers do cost more than cabinets but if you're trying to cut costs in your kitchen project this is one place where I would not recommend it.
I think it's a mistake to save a bit of money in the short term because then you're stuck with the everyday aggravation of not having fully usable storage space in your kitchen.
3. trendy and bold colored Cabinetry
It's hard not to get sucked into Trends especially if you spend a lot of time on Pinterest or Instagram and I'm not saying that you shouldn't use trendy colors in.
Your kitchen at all but you should be strategic about it your kitchen is an expensive room to renovate probably the most expensive and honestly most people don't do many kitchen rentals in their lifetime, so you want to be careful about making choices that may look dated in a few years.
If you're one of those people that renovates their kitchen every few years then it's fine you can probably take the risk because it probably won't be an issue for you, but I've seen many a lacquered red kitchen get torn out.
Well, how many people want to live with a red kitchen long term unless red is your favorite color?
So that's the exception here if a bold or trendy color is your favorite color and you know for a fact that you will never get sick of it then go for it.
Otherwise, if you're going to use a trendy color try bringing it in through your accessories instead like your smaller appliances dishware tea towels things like that this way.
If you get sick of it or if it goes out of style you won't be crying over a huge renovation Bill a couple of years down the line.
4. Gap above the cabinets
A gap between the upper kitchen cabinets and a standard-height ceiling usually looks a little bit dated and in some cases unfinished.
When the Gap is huge, especially in new builds it looks like someone cheaped out and opted not to put upper Cabinets in to save money.
Builders do this a lot when they're building new developments to sell on which is understandable new cabinets are not cheap I know we talked about avoiding installing hard-to-access storage.
Before when we were talking about lower cabinets and that you should spend money to put in what is essentially hard-to-access storage the irony is not lost on me. Still, I think that the Aesthetics of a kitchen are nearly as important as a functional kitchen and closing.
That Gap above your upper cabinets will make it look more polished more high-end and Visually just a lot more appealing.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule I have seen several beautiful kitchens which do not have Cabinetry that goes to the ceiling and there are cases where it makes sense not to go to the ceiling with your cabinets.
For example, if you're lucky enough to have beams in your kitchen, then those would prevent you from going to the ceiling or if you have like a high-sloped or vaulted kitchen ceiling then something like this can look perfectly fine moral of the story.
Usually extending to the ceiling will be an improvement but it really should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis because it depends on the space so if you have a gap above your kitchen cabinets and you want to fill it what can you do?
If you have the physical space and the budget you can consider adding stacked cabinets above your uppers to close that gap or two if you're just doing it for looks.
You could add false cabinet fronts which isn't a bad idea since that space isn't accessible.
5. inadequate lighting
Lighting is crucial in the kitchen you want to make sure your space is well-lit so you can see what you're doing and too often I see older kitchens with just one overhead light with the only other light maybe being one like in the stove above the stove.
This is not adequate lighting for a kitchen.
Your kitchen should have a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting, and maybe even some accent lighting if you're feeling fancy.
If you perform a variety of tasks on your Island as well then make sure you have recessed lighting layered in addition to your pendants otherwise you may find yourself a bit short on light.
You should also have a task light over your sink.
There's decorative accent lighting that you could add to accentuate certain architectural features or to bring in a bit of extra warmth and interest to the space.
This could be something like little puck lights in your glass front Cabinets To show off a beautiful China collection or a gallery light hanging above an art piece or toe-kick lighting.
If you've got an old-fashioned kitchen with really bad lighting give an electrician a call it shouldn't cost you anything to just talk to someone to get a quote.
In conclusion, a well-designed kitchen is essential for both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
By avoiding common kitchen design mistakes, you can create a space that seamlessly serves its purpose.
The article highlighted several prevalent errors, including protruding fridges, low cabinetry, trendy and bold colored cabinetry, gaps above cabinets, and inadequate lighting.
Protruding fridges can disrupt the visual harmony of a kitchen, but solutions such as opting for counter-depth fridges or customizing the space can help integrate them better.
Low cabinets are impractical, and using drawers instead can enhance accessibility and maximize storage.
While trendy and bold colored cabinetry may be tempting, it's important to consider longevity and opt for timeless choices or incorporate trendy colors through accessories.
Closing the gap above cabinets can enhance the overall aesthetics of the kitchen, though exceptions exist based on the specific space and design. Lastly, adequate lighting is crucial, and a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting should be implemented to ensure a well-lit and functional kitchen.
By being mindful of these design mistakes and implementing appropriate solutions, you can create a kitchen that not only looks great but also enhances efficiency and functionality.
Careful planning and attention to detail will result in a kitchen that truly becomes the heart of your home.
FAQs
Q: What is the problem with a sticking-out fridge in the kitchen?
A sticking-out fridge is a common design mistake that occurs when the fridge protrudes too much into the kitchen space. This can make the fridge look out of place and aesthetically unpleasing.
It often happens when a standard-depth fridge is used in a kitchen that requires a counter-depth fridge.
Q: How can I fix the issue of a sticking-out fridge?
The best solution is to return the fridge and replace it with a counter-depth fridge that fits seamlessly into the kitchen. Alternatively, you can customize the space around the existing fridge to make it look more integrated, such as adding lateral cover panels or adjusting the surrounding walls.
Some people choose to live with it if no other options are feasible.
Q: Why are low cabinets considered a kitchen design mistake?
Low cabinets are impractical because they make it difficult to access items stored inside.
They require crouching down and rummaging around, which can be inconvenient and inaccessible for people with mobility issues. Low cabinets also result in a significant loss of usable storage space.
Q: What are the alternatives to low cabinets?
Instead of low cabinets, it is recommended to use drawers whenever possible. Drawers provide easier access to stored items, allowing you to pull them out effortlessly.
Low cabinets can still be used for storing smaller kitchen appliances or as a mini pantry for extra food items. Installing a lazy Susan in a low-corner cabinet is another option for better accessibility.
Q: Is it advisable to use trendy and bold colored cabinetry in the kitchen?
While using trendy colors in the kitchen can be appealing, it is important to be strategic about it.
Trendy and bold colored cabinetry may look dated in a few years, potentially requiring expensive renovations to update the kitchen.
It is recommended to incorporate trendy colors through accessories like smaller appliances, dishware, or tea towels, which can be easily changed if needed.
Q: What is the issue with having a gap above the kitchen cabinets?
A noticeable gap between the upper kitchen cabinets and the ceiling can make the kitchen look unfinished or dated. It gives the impression that upper cabinets were omitted to save costs.
While there are exceptions based on the kitchen's specific design, closing this gap by extending the cabinetry to the ceiling can create a more polished and visually appealing look.
Q: How can I fill the gap above my kitchen cabinets?
If you want to fill the gap above your kitchen cabinets, you can consider adding stacked cabinets above the existing ones to close the space. Another option is to add false cabinet fronts that create a seamless appearance.
However, filling the gap should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the available physical space and budget.
Q: Why is inadequate lighting considered a kitchen design mistake?
Inadequate lighting in the kitchen hampers visibility and makes it challenging to perform tasks effectively.
Relying on a single overhead light or minimal lighting sources, such as above the stove, is insufficient. Proper lighting in the kitchen should include a combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting to ensure a well-lit and functional space.
Q: How can I improve the lighting in my kitchen?
To enhance lighting in the kitchen, consider adding recessed lighting, pendant lights, or a combination of both.
Task lighting should be installed over the sink area, and additional accent lighting can be used to highlight architectural features or create ambiance.
Consulting an electrician to assess and improve the lighting in an outdated kitchen is recommended.