Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes

Designing a kitchen is one of the most crucial undertakings when it comes to home renovations and involves a great deal of thought and some major planning. Creating a balance between function and aesthetics is pivotal and, with over almost 40 years’ experience in the interiors business, we certainly know what works and what doesn’t.

To help you avoid making costly mistakes that may not be easily fixed, here are 5 of the most noteworthy errors people make and how to get around them.

1. Not thinking about traffic flow and layout

A kitchen is no longer just a cooking space and instead has become the social hub of a home, offering a seamless combination of living and dining facilities that brings family and friends together. So assuming that you can just plonk anything anywhere without considering a proper layout is a one-way ticket to creating havoc.

With so much going on in one room, traffic flow is essential. Here are key 5 pointers to help you get it right.

• Create definite zones ensuring that each section is dedicated to a specific task and includes the right storage solutions.

• Implement a workflow triangle that links the three main sections of your kitchen (oven/hob, refrigeration and sink) together. The trick is to place them far enough apart for spaciousness but close enough together to ensure that you have quick access to each. For example, while you’re standing at your stove frying up breakfast, you should be able to take something out of your fridge and fill a pot with water within approximately three steps of your anchor point.
• Make sure you plan empty spaces. This may sound mad but if your floorspace is limited, putting cabinets into every spare inch or slotting in that all-important island will just create a harrowing user experience. The trick is to make sure you can move around the room easily and without tripping over the cat or bumping into open doors. In our opinion, the optimal distance between fixtures should be between one and two metres.
• If you’re including a breakfast bar, make sure that there’s an allocation of at least 60 cm per placing, allowing ample elbow room for each person to eat without feeling suffocated.
• One of the biggest mistakes out there is failing to measure up properly and ending up with a fridge that doesn’t fit. So plan everything to the last millimetre to avoid disaster.

2. Choosing the wrong countertop material

Though it may not occur to you at the time, your decisions when it comes to picking out appropriate countertops will live with you for years to come.

Bear in mind that a kitchen involves heat, knives, water and some occasional bashing, so if you unwittingly choose a material that will crack under pressure, you’re in for a hard time.

Budget, function, durability and aesthetics are the main points of consideration in this area, so here are 5 popular options and their pros and cons.

• Wood: Beautiful, natural and extremely popular, wood creates a warm, welcoming aesthetic in any kitchen and is fairly cost-effective. However, it does need regular maintenance to ensure that it’s not damaged by endless moisture, and it can scuff easily.
• Laminate: Stain and scratch resistant and available in a myriad of colours, laminate is an inexpensive option that has been a prime choice for decades. It does chip easily, though and won’t up the value of your home.
• Quartz: An engineered material, quartz has the aesthetic beauty of natural stone but at a fraction of the price. It’s an ideal choice when it comes to resisting scratches and dents but doesn’t have the same heat resistance as some of the other choices.
• Granite: A wonderful way of adding value to your home, granite is tough and durable, resists heat beautifully and is largely stain-proof. However, to function optimally it does need to be sealed at least once every eight years.
• Marble: An elegant, opulent choice, natural marble has all the qualities of granite and the added advantage of being 100% unique because no two pieces are ever the same. Conveniently, it also comes in a wide selection of appealing colours to match most aesthetics.

3. Not enough storage

Never underestimate the value of storage. So many people are focussed on blowing their budgets on expensive features like designer worktops and beautiful flooring and make the mistake of skimping on their cabinetry.

If you think about the day-to-day useability of your kitchen, having your utensils, gadgets, spices, crockery, cookware, cleaning materials and recipe books on hand are vital. We suggest that you take stock of what you need during the design phase of your renovation. Separate your kitchen into its different zones and plan accordingly.

Remember to include a spot for your bins – they’re one of the most commonly overlooked storage items and are imperative to a fully functional space.

4. Incorrect lighting placement

When it comes to kitchen lighting, a single strip light in the centre of the room simply won’t cut it. And although you may have plenty of natural light streaming in during the day, many people forget that working in your kitchen at night presents an entirely different set of circumstances.

When you’re laying out your plans, there are three types of lighting that should be considered, each with its own specific function. They are:

• Task lighting: This is used to illuminate work surfaces and should be positioned under cabinets and over stovetops and prep areas. LED strip- and puck lights are commonly used for this and require a strong bulb and possibly a diffuser if you have very shiny counters.
• Accent lighting: This is a great way to highlight features in your kitchen like a designer wine rack or a vaulted ceiling. It should be around three times brighter than its surrounding lighting and needs to be strategically positioned.
• Ambient lighting: These fill in any gaps and take the form of pendants, chandeliers or recessed lights. Remember that, aside from illumination, they are a wonderful way of adding a decorative feature in your kitchen, so consider your overall style before you choose one.

5. Underestimating the power of accessories

Aside from being a functional space in which to cook, kitchens are a key design element in any home, so making them bland and boring is an absolute no-no.

From beautiful colour palettes to ambient lighting and everything in between, they should bring a sense of cohesion and visual delight to your aesthetics, reflecting your personality and attitude at every turn. Here are some suggestions.

• Add a stylish rug: There are plenty of durable options available in an array of colours and patterns.
• Bring in some plants: With the new biophilic movement in full swing, a healthy dose of greenery will add both charm and calm to your space.
• Install open shelving: Having some of your finest glassware, crockery and cookbooks on display is a wonderfully purposeful way to decorate.
• Find beautiful barstools: If you have a kitchen counter then hunting down some fabulous barstools in an upholstery material that matches your main accent colour is a winner.
• Invest in curtaining: Clad your windows in beautiful blinds or curtains to add a pop texture.
• Display your wares: Fresh fruit, delicious cakes and bunches of bright flowers all add to the homeliness of a kitchen. So have them out on display in a selection of lovely vases and platters.

In Conclusion

A great deal of time and effort goes into the planning of a really good kitchen, and consciously avoiding any mistakes will save you a great deal of heartache and expense in the long run.

So at the end of the day, hiring a professional to guide you through your choices is a very good idea. At FCI London, we have a design team who is dedicated to making your life easier by bringing you a wealth of experience, creativity and know-how.

So get hold of us today and let’s simplify your process. We’re just one step away from creating you a masterpiece.