4 Common Kitchen Design Mistakes

It's a well known fact that a kitchen can make or break a home, and if that kitchen is poorly designed? Fuhgeddaboudit! Fortunately, with a little bit of basic research, you can help prevent yourself from making even the most basic of mistakes when redesigning or remodeling a kitchen.

Mistake #1: Ignoring the "Work Triangle"

It's a rookie mistake, but ignoring the work triangle can mean frustration and irritation for the rest of the kitchen's lifespan (whether that be 10 years, 20 years or more.) The work triangle is a basic design principle that divides the kitchen space up into three sections: cleaning, cooking/prep space and the refrigerator.

Ideally, your food should all be stored either in the refrigerator or in the cabinets surrounding the refrigerator. Your cookware should be located near your cooking and prep space, and lastly your dishes should be located in cabinets by your cleaning space. This helps to create a cohesive flow when you are working in the kitchen and is much more essential than you may realize.

Mistake #2: Not Enough Lighting

In my own kitchen, there are two lights: one in the center of the ceiling and an after-thought installation of a small fluorescent bulb under the countertop. Needless to say, it drives me nuts (thankfully, this home isn't permanent for us.)

When designing a kitchen, be sure to include task lighting as well as general lighting throughout. Consider using your work triangle to determine where you'll need the most light. Be sure to have lights above your sink, your prep space and so forth. Otherwise, you'll have inadequate lighting in your kitchen and you'll regret it. (Fortunately, kitchen lighting can often be installed as an after thought if you feel you need additional lighting.)

Mistake #3: Following Trends

Sure, you may love the idea of one of those bright, flashy new kitchens with bright blue, smudge-proof cabinets and all the latest and greatest in kitchen trends. However, in 10 years, or when you're trying to sell that house, will you still love those choices, or will you regret them?

When choosing cabinets and other items, try to create a room that fits the rest of the home but also is in some sense, "timeless." Good trends to follow: pot-fillers over the stove and neutral, but attractive, backsplashes.

Mistake #4: Being Unrealistic

We've all got a dream kitchen in our head, but sometimes, that dream kitchen is out of our price range.

Unfortunately, this can translate to choices made regarding the kitchen which leave other items unfinished. Sure, you got those granite countertops; but now you don't have enough money for your backsplash. Oops!

Try to rein in your dreams and stay realistic. Create a budget and stick to it to keep yourself from overspending in all the wrong areas, leaving you with little to no wiggle-room for other necessities; like oh, say, appliances?

---
Additional Information:

About.com: What is the Kitchen Work Triangle?