Whether it's a multi-course masterpiece or a simple pasta dish, home-cooked meals taste even better when made in a fully equipped kitchen. And we all know that even the most practical corner of a space deserves to look its best.
However, designing a kitchen that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing is not as easy as you might think. One wrong move can seriously jeopardize the flow and functionality of your kitchen. (Or, even worse, your kitchen could become outdated faster than you can say it's “al dente.”) Don't worry, help is on the way. We asked several Southern-based designers about common kitchen mistakes and how to avoid them in the first place. These solutions will transform your setup into a Michelin-worthy masterpiece.
Mistake #1: Forcing an island
Just because a spacious island is an undeniable “wow” factor doesn't mean it's true for every kitchen. “The reality is that in many homes, the kitchen footprint isn't large enough to accommodate an island,” explains Kim Armstrong. “And even if you can fit a small island, sometimes it doesn’t make sense from a distribution standpoint.”
Instead, the Texas-based designer recommends finding an alternative that works well for your layout. “What I did was create a peninsula to give my client the dual benefit of maximizing circulation and storage while providing kitchen counter seating,” she says. “Installing the Peninsula frees up the heart of the small kitchen, where all the work takes place, and allows guests to sit and socialize.”
Mistake #2: Leaving the counter cluttered
Any home chef will tell you that behind every delicious meal is a variety of blenders, food processors, and pressure cookers to get the job done. problem? They can occupy valuable real estate. “In my opinion, it's a mistake not to have a small appliance garage in your kitchen, no matter the size,” says Mark Lavender, a designer who lives in Tennessee and Illinois. “Nothing makes a countertop look more cluttered than small appliances lining every inch of counter space.” The fix? Find a place to store all your appliances when they are idle. “Create an attractive garage with an electrical outlet where you can use small appliances right there and close the door when you're done.”
Mistake #3: Using white grout
As the saying goes, nothing lasts forever. Of course, this also includes the original condition of the grout. “This is common with the bright white kitchen trend, but if you're actually planning on cooking in your kitchen, even if it's with 'Power' grout or other cleanable grout products, it's a nightmare.” It turns out,” says owner Jessica Davis. She is also the principal of JL Design in Nashville. In a perfect world, your kitchen backsplash would have a medium or dark colored grout. However, you can always modify your current setup with a little special paint.
Mistake #4: Using super deep cabinets
Susan Curry, who founded her eponymous company in Atlanta and New Orleans, says one of the biggest mistakes residents make is simply having cabinets that are too deep. Adequate storage space is always a gift, but those appliances in the back can collect dust. Luckily, there are many ways to get the most out of these deep cabinets.
“Adding a roll-out tray to the base cabinet allows you to completely expand your storage for browsing,” says Curry. “This makes it much easier to find items that might be hidden behind cabinets.”
Have another idea? A kidney-shaped pullout or lazy susan. “Whether you rotate it or pull it out, you can easily pull out the stock pot,” she added.
Mistake #5: Limiting your brilliance
Why settle for one type of metal when you can enjoy several types? Too often, stainless steel appliances set the overall feel of today's kitchens. , it's perfectly fine to mix metals if it's done intentionally and it can be more visually interesting,” say Atlanta duo Mark Williams and Niki Papadopoulos. The company is headquartered in Mark Williams Design. “The key is repeating additional metal finishes in multiple locations, and cabinet hardware is a great place to start mixing it up.”
In this space, Williams and Papadopoulos used a combination of stainless steel and brass hardware to enhance the finish on the range and extractor hood, and sprinkled in pewter.
Mistake #6: Avoid details
When it comes to the kitchen, the devil is in the details. Designing a kitchen of any size is full of difficult decisions, but Sarah Barney of Bandd Design says it's important to lay a solid foundation.
“We all get excited about big trends and ideas, but with so many different needs and tasks, the kitchen becomes the hub of the store,” says the Austin-based designer. “Be sure to consider the features, how you will use each area, and narrow down to the basics.”
Surprisingly, one of the biggest violations is the placement of electrical outlets, especially if you use a lot of different appliances. Before deciding on your floor plan, think about how you plan to use your kitchen and what you need to make cooking and cleaning more enjoyable. ”
Mistake #7: Lazy lighting
Never underestimate the power of good lighting. Megan Molten isn't always seen in the kitchen.
“You need both task and ambient lighting to see when you're cooking and illuminate when you're entertaining,” explains the Charleston-based designer. “Overhead lights can always be on a dimmer to create a soft overhead glow at night.”
Of course, good lighting involves more than just options. For Molten stocks, determining the ratio is also important.
“You need to consider the size of the island. Divide the island into four equal parts to determine the placement of the pendants,” she added. “Height-wise, for an 8-foot ceiling, you'll need about 36 inches from the bottom of the pendant to the top of the island.”
Mistake #8: Designing a kitchen for someone else
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Kitchen design is no exception. “I can't tell you how many clients I have who start out with an initial consultation and say, 'Maybe I'm going to do a white kitchen because it's good for resale,'” says Kristin Kong, an Atlanta-based designer. “Especially if you spend a lot of time cooking, you need to do what makes you happy.”
Your kitchen is one of the most important remodeling projects you'll undertake, so you don't have to think about anyone else when sprucing up your cooking space. “Everything is a trend, so after 10 years, everything, even a white kitchen, will look outdated,” says Texas-based designer Sarah Stacey. “It might be a good idea to choose the green color of your favorite cabinet!”
