The kitchen is the heart of the home, and its design and layout are essential to creating a functional and stylish space. When designing a kitchen, a few key things to consider, such as the work triangle, storage, and lighting. The work triangle is the layout of the sink, fridge, and stove and is the most critical aspect of a functional kitchen.
The sink should be in the middle of the triangle so that you can quickly move between the other two appliances. Storage is also essential; you should have plenty of space for your pots, pans, and food. Lighting should be a mix of task lighting and ambient lighting to make the area bright and inviting.
While these ideas sound easy, many homeowners need help getting them right and struggle when faced with obstructed workflow space or traffic. Please be wary of this scenario from the beginning if you plan to revamp your kitchen from scratch.
After all, the kitchen must be comfortable and an extension of the homeowner’s personality. In this vein, let’s discuss the design mistakes first so you can avoid them and develop a complete kitchen.
Wasted Space
Kitchens are places for gathering and entertaining. However, leftover space can sometimes remain unused or underused because there isn’t enough storage space within reach. Organization and function should be a given in any kitchen, especially if you must travel more than a few steps to fetch an ingredient.
Before starting the decorating process, please consider the items you plan to keep in this area and how they will be easily accessible. Even if you live in a relatively small space, such as an apartment, every inch of space matters, so don’t overlook it.
If your kitchen is less than 100 square feet, you may want to build long upper cabinets that provide ample storage for oversized items like cookie sheets and large utensils. You could illuminate these cabinets or surround their edges with greenery to create an illusion of spaciousness.
Install cabinets directly above your refrigerator, as this relatively unused area could benefit from more storage space. You can tap into this space, creating an extra 4 feet of display area. If you need shelves and lower kitchen cabinets, consider it.
Improper Kitchen Island Choice
The standard expectations with kitchen islands are extra storage and more prep and serving space. However, this efficient feature can quickly become a disappointment if you select the wrong island or keep it in the wrong spot. It will create bottlenecks, and you will regret your decision.
Ideally, an island should always be on your traffic routes leading to the sink, refrigerator, stove, or main countertop. Otherwise, it could create a messy situation, causing people to spill things accidentally (literally!). So, make sure to take advantage of this factor.
If there is enough square footage, you will have liberty with the island footprint. You can also fix a lovely sink and one of the matching widespread kitchen faucets to jazz up this functional focal point.
Weak Ventilation
Although it is undoubtedly a big part, the best kitchen style is about more than just good looks. But when you pause and inspect the appearance, you’ll see why ventilating your kitchen with a ventilation system is crucial to its health and aesthetics.
Did you ever visit someone’s home in the morning, and when you entered the kitchen, it reeked a repulsive fishy smell? You don’t have to blame this on the fish or the cook. The fault lies with the low-quality range hoods that circulate the air instead of forcing it out of the kitchen so the place could smell fresh.
So invest in the proper ventilation system. It will improve indoor air quality, keep your kitchen clean, and allow appliances to function longer by eliminating moisture that rusts them and causes them to break down faster than they should. Initially, a sound ventilation system may be pricey, but it is worth your time and money.
No Backsplash
The backsplash behind the counters and ranges should be noticed when planning a new kitchen or remodel. Just think about the amount of oil, steam, and water splashing across your counters and how hard it could be to clean that off, especially from surfaces like wall paint or wallpaper. It may look like a good idea to forget about it in terms of money-saving, but the same decision will often come back to bite you in the long run.
The best way to ensure your kitchen stays fresh and clean is to install a backsplash—tile, metal, or plastic. These surfaces are easy to clean, so you don’t have to devote time and energy to scrubbing for hours to remove stains, as is typical with paint or wallpaper.
Trendiness
While it may not be a mistake to choose trendy colors, designs, and the latest in kitchenware and hardware, some of these choices tend to be a victim of a short lifespan. If you invest plenty of money in modern machines and equipment that initially looked like a good choice without serving any purpose, you may soon get tired of looking at them within a few months.
So, it’s always better to go with conventional yet stylish items that are not showy, overly extravagant, or barely required type. You should be more careful, especially if your kitchen is small or medium. You must fill them with items that you rarely use.
There is no perfect definition of the best kitchen design and decoration. However, some elements can make a kitchen more appealing and functional. You can feel comfortable cooking in a space that flows well; however, it depends significantly on its layout.
The layout should allow plenty of counter space, storage, and good traffic flow. While this ensures streamlining and functionality, you can decorate it cohesively to give it that charming ambiance.
It is also a great decorative idea to personalize the kitchen. Feel free to add a family photo on top of a buffet table, custom bobbleheads, or any souvenir that adds a personal touch to the ensemble.