HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

10 quick ways to update your kitchen

10 quick ways to update your kitchen

How to recreate the kitchens from this week's The Block reveal

How to recreate the kitchens from this week's The Block reveal

5 butler’s pantry ideas

5 butler’s pantry ideas

Top ten kitchen design tips from the experts

Top ten kitchen design tips from the experts

{headline}

{headline}

Before and after kitchen renovations Part 3: The big reveals

Before and after kitchen renovations Part 3: The big reveals

Kitchen inspiration: 5 steps to a timeless modern space

Kitchen inspiration: 5 steps to a timeless modern space

5 of the best kitchen design ideas

5 of the best kitchen design ideas

{headline}

{headline}

Bring oodles of character into your home with this gorgeous new collection

Bring oodles of character into your home with this gorgeous new collection

BellaMUMMA Nikki Yazxhi takes us through her newly renovated home

BellaMUMMA Nikki Yazxhi takes us through her newly renovated home

A look inside Darren Palmer's kitchen

A look inside Darren Palmer's kitchen

This low-cost kitchen renovation came in on time and on budget

This low-cost kitchen renovation came in on time and on budget

Three kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid

Three kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid

This budget Kmart kitchen makeover is amazing

This budget Kmart kitchen makeover is amazing

Our Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms special is out now

Our Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms special is out now

  1. Home
  2. Kitchen

Kitchen design mistakes to avoid

Get your kitchen right the first time - by Laura Barry
  • 06 Sep 2018
Kitchen design mistakes to avoid
Marcel Aucar

Updating, renovating, building or redecorating a kitchen is a big, expensive job, so you want to make sure that whatever changes you make add value to your home and have everlasting style.

While many of us have our own ideas about what we like and how we want things to look, there are a few mistakes many people make when designing a kitchen. Here’s a list of kitchen design mistakes to avoid.

Mistake#1 Not thinking about the backsplash early

The right backsplash can really make a kitchen pop. Think about it early on in the design phase so you can decide if you’re going for a statement material, an experimental finish or tiles, and if you want it to be tall, short or cover the entire wall.

thehomeaesthetic View Profile
133 likes - View Post on Instagram
This kitchen was a labor of love in this @hoss_homes build. #happylaborday

Mistake #2 Too much colour

Having a colourful kitchen isn’t a bad thing, but it can date quickly. You’re better to go with neutral permanent fixtures, cabinetry and appliances, then inject colour via lighting, stools, art and accessories. These can be changed out and updated easily and without great cost.

home_design68 View Profile
4,150 likes - View Post on Instagram
Credit 📷 @stylebymll #kitcheninspo #kitchens #interior4a #interior designer i #inspire_me_home_decor

Mistake #3 Choosing the wrong bench top

Marble and natural stone are luxurious and gorgeous options for kitchen bench tops, but let’s be honest, who has time to clean up every spill as soon as it happens to stop it staining a marble bench top? On top of that, natural stone will quickly show signs of wear and tear if it often has bowls, plates, pots and pans sitting on top of it. Try laminate, granite or engineered quartz materials instead.

michael.corporate View Profile
27 likes - View Post on Instagram
white kitchen is always amazing 😍💯. . . . credit: @thefestivefarmhouse #homedecor #homedesign #designinterior #homeconstruction #architecture #newbuildhome #arsitektur #arsitekrumah #renovasirumah #designrumah #michaelnco #homeproject #inspiration #designinspiration #livingroominspiration #kitcheninspiration #bathroomideas #modernkitchen #inspirasirumah #rumahidaman #desainrumahminimalis #rumahminimalis #rumahmodern #interiorrumah #interiorsurabaya #interiorkamar #kitcheninspo #whitekitchen #elegantkitchen #dresserdecor

Mistake #4 Not allowing enough space

If you’re installing a new kitchen it’s important to allow enough room between drawers, doors and appliances to cater to handles and knobs, as well as how much space you need to open a fridge or dishwasher drawer. Ideally, you want enough space that every drawer and door could be open without any one hitting the other.

smarterbathroomsplus View Profile
72 likes - View Post on Instagram
We love the soft timber and pared back details used in our #Elwood kitchen. It's always a timeless inclusion to a reno. Designer: @vanjcook Photographer: @david_russell_photographer

Mistake #5 Not extending cabinetry to the ceiling

Leaving a gap between the top of your cabinetry and the ceiling not only creates a space that gathers dust and dirt, but it can make you ceiling feel lower and the room more cramped. For a more polished look that won’t create dust-catching nooks, extend your cabinetry all the way to the ceiling.

kitchens_of_insta View Profile
4,618 likes - View Post on Instagram
How does the Kitchens Of Insta Family fell about ladders??? We LOVE THEM! Amazing design from @jeanstofferdesign

Mistake #6 Poor lighting

Kitchens need excellent lighting for cooking and cleaning, so don’t skimp on it. If you’re going for a pendant light, bigger is better. If your kitchen doesn’t have a window (like some apartments) or is poorly lit, invest in some bright LED downlights or strip task lighting.

kitchens_of_insta View Profile
3,614 likes - View Post on Instagram
Absolutely Stunning!!! Amazing design from @mitzimaynard @clarann 📸 @aimeemazzenga

Mistake #7 Going overboard with open shelving

While open shelving is a wonderful opportunity to showcase a beloved stoneware collection or colour-coordinated teaware, it isn’t particularly practical when it comes to the everyday use of the kitchen. A good kitchen has an even mix of concealed and open shelving and storage, so all the things that are used often then hastily stuffed back away (often in a mess) can be hidden behind doors, while the things that are used for special occasions and easily kept tidy are left on display.

aggyslifestyle View Profile
687 likes - View Post on Instagram
Gister de lasagne voorbereid voor vandaag. Heerlijk als je na een drukke dag alleen maar een ovenschaal de oven in hoeft te doen! En nog lekker ook😋 fijne avond! X #kitcheninspo #kitcheninspiration #home#myhome#whiteliving#scandinavischwonen #scandinavianinterior #scandinaviskehjem #interiordesign #interiör #homeinterior #dreamhome #dreaminteriors

This article originally appeared on Better Homes and Gardens.

  

You might also like:

How to choose the right kitchen layout for your space

Four design styles to inspire your new kitchen

10 easy things to update in your kitchen

  • Kitchen
  • Kitchen Benches
  • Kitchen Cabinets
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

10 quick ways to update your kitchen

10 quick ways to update your kitchen

How to recreate the kitchens from this week's The Block reveal

How to recreate the kitchens from this week's The Block reveal

5 butler’s pantry ideas

5 butler’s pantry ideas

Top ten kitchen design tips from the experts

Top ten kitchen design tips from the experts

{headline}

{headline}

Before and after kitchen renovations Part 3: The big reveals

Before and after kitchen renovations Part 3: The big reveals

Kitchen inspiration: 5 steps to a timeless modern space

Kitchen inspiration: 5 steps to a timeless modern space

5 of the best kitchen design ideas

5 of the best kitchen design ideas

{headline}

{headline}

Bring oodles of character into your home with this gorgeous new collection

Bring oodles of character into your home with this gorgeous new collection

BellaMUMMA Nikki Yazxhi takes us through her newly renovated home

BellaMUMMA Nikki Yazxhi takes us through her newly renovated home

A look inside Darren Palmer's kitchen

A look inside Darren Palmer's kitchen

This low-cost kitchen renovation came in on time and on budget

This low-cost kitchen renovation came in on time and on budget

Three kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid

Three kitchen renovation mistakes to avoid

This budget Kmart kitchen makeover is amazing

This budget Kmart kitchen makeover is amazing

Our Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms special is out now

Our Dream Kitchens & Bathrooms special is out now

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug