When remodeling or planning a new kitchen, there’s so much to consider that some things can fall through the cracks. Make sure you don’t make the same mistakes as past homeowners by reading our guide on the things people forget when designing their new kitchen!
Inadequate Flow
A kitchen is fundamentally the place where you prepare and cook meals, but a modern kitchen is also a gathering place in the home. A bare-bones kitchen can be enough to cook a meal, but a great kitchen also works as an entertaining space, so it’s important not to forget the flow and freedom of the layout.
Often, homeowners take a purely functional approach to the kitchen—which is helpful but not very inviting. Ensure that you’ve got at least four feet of space between the countertops and the kitchen island to allow enough room for people to flow in and out of the kitchen without feeling cramped.
Dysfunctional Layout
Some homeowners do the opposite of overthinking functionality in their kitchen—not thinking about it enough! There’s a tendency for some homeowners to design their kitchen with only aesthetics in mind and forget that it must also work for cooking and prepping.
While coming up with the layout and organization of your kitchen, consider what will be helpful when you need to prepare a meal. Where would wall storage be most beneficial? Is there enough counter space to cook and prep at the same time? Factor in various countertop appliances and your individual cooking needs.
Poor Lighting Placement
Along with the flow and function, you can’t forget the importance of proper lighting placement and illumination in your new kitchen. Many homeowners mistake choosing form over function when it comes to light fixtures, which leaves their kitchen feeling dim and uninviting.
When choosing the right light fixture style, think of the placement and task lighting. The best kitchen has separate light sources in various places to provide light for cooking, prepping, or entertaining.
Awkward Cabinet Positioning
The cabinetry is the focal point for many kitchens, so getting the style and look right is crucial to a cohesive design. There’s much to consider when choosing new kitchen cabinets, but don’t overlook their position regarding doors and drawers.
It’s not uncommon that the cabinets look great after installation, but when the homeowner uses them, they find the doors and handles hitting each other because of awkward positioning. Double-check the dimensions and placement of the kitchen cabinets before installation so that you’re not constantly closing one door to open another!
There are many things people forget when designing a new kitchen, but remembering these easy mistakes during your kitchen remodel can help you avoid errors and create a kitchen you love. What’s most important about a new kitchen is that it balances style and function, never leaning too much either way.