The process of designing a kitchen is filled with traps and tests. It’s one of the most complex rooms in the home due to the varied practical needs in terms of storage, appliances, and work spaces. That’s why sometimes you need some expert help, and so we’ve turned to the work of the professionals here at Steven James for examples of ideal kitchens, so that we can talk you through the common mistakes we all make, and how to avoid them.
These errors cover the entire process, from construction to decor, and the vast majority of them are simple oversights that can be prevented in the design stages. In fact the best advice we can give is not to rush the process; take your time to ensure you’re making the right decision, and you haven’t forgotten about some crucial element of the design that will come back to bite you. So join us as we give you the knowledge to design your perfect kitchen!
1. Overlooking practical considerations
The kitchen is one of the most difficult rooms in the home to design due to the sheer amount of practical considerations. We have to fit so many things into the kitchen, each requiring unique storage solutions, so draw up an inventory, and ensure that you have found a place for everything. Ideas like this rack for hanging utensils and the paper towel roll, will make your life a whole lot easier, and declutter the benches.
2. Not paying enough attention to the floor
When designing your kitchen, it’s crucial that you treat the floor as one of the foundational elements of the decor. It should match the colour palette and the materials of the cabinets and counter, as well as being practical for a room that sees a lot of spills and messes.
3. Clashing colours
Sometimes we get a little excited and try to fit too many colours into the decor. Instead you want to choose one theme like they have here with this vibrant red on a white base. Before making any decisions get plenty of samples, and make sure the colours work side by side, complementing rather than distracting from each other.
4. Ignoring the ceiling
Too often ceilings are seen from a purely functional perspective, but when you see a design like this, with plaster panels, recessed lighting, and gorgeous timber that matches the walls and cabinets, you realise just how many possibilities there are, and how much of an impact it can have.
5. Leaving the breakfast bar until last
If you want to include a breakfast bar, and we highly recommend you do, make sure you are thinking about it right from the start so that it fits naturally into the design and doesn’t look like an afterthought. Notice how the marble bar here reflects the tiled floor, and attaches to the cabinet so that it looks like an integral part of the layout.
6. Do your materials complement each other?
If you have your heart set on using a particular material in the design, for example marble, make sure that the rest of your kitchen is set up to enhance that feature rather than detract from it.
7. The kitchen doesn’t match your needs
There’s a lot of stuff to fit into the kitchen, so if you overlook something or make a bad choice you may find it hard to rectify. For this reason consider what’s essential for your daily needs before investing in any additional appliances. For example if your fridge is always full, you know you’ll need a large one, if you do a lot of baking you’ll need a good oven, if you have a big family or often entertain you’ll need ample countertop space.
8. Being too safe with the design
Don’t stick too closely to the rules, even when you hear them from us! While people may tell you that a neutral palette looks best, if you love a bit of colour then follow your heart! Reflecting your personality is always a positive design choice.
9. Poor application of tiles
Some jobs are best left to professionals, and if you’re not totally confident in your ability to lay tiles then we should warn you, the results can be disastrous. Uneven tiles and crooked lines will cheapen your decor, so don’t settle for anything other than perfection!
10. No shelves
You can never have enough storage options in the kitchen, but you also want it to be a practical and easy to use space. While cabinets are good for reducing visual clutter, for items that you’re reaching for all the time you’re better off with open shelves, plus you’d be surprised how many items you store in the kitchen have inherent aesthetic value!
11. A maximalist bias
Many people think that minimalism is impossible to apply in the kitchen due to the sheer amount of items and appliances you need to store, but in fact it’s a great way to simplify your life, and promote tranquillity in one of the busiest rooms in the house. Plus it’s not about throwing anything out, but rather keeping the counters clear so that your kitchen looks neat and tidy.
12. Not staying on top of the cleaning
We’re all guilty of this one sometimes, but for the sake of your health and mental wellbeing it’s essential you keep the kitchen clean. Preparing food is a messy business, and even one ignored spill can quickly lead to harmful bacteria and foul odours, so make sure you’re always wiping down benches after use, and giving the kitchen a thorough clean once or twice a fortnight.
There’s no shame in these common mistakes, we’ve all made them, but now you have the know-how to avoid them forever!
