The Pro Panel: "The Biggest Kitchen Design Blunder You Could Make..."

One question, seven expert answers

Grace Chamia 15 August 2015

Houzz Contributor. I'm an experienced lifestyle journalist with a penchant for open houses that I have no intention of buying...

Houzz Contributor. I'm an experienced lifestyle journalist with a penchant for open... More

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We ask seven Houzz professionals what they think are the most costly design mistakes you can make when planning a kitchen.

What’s the biggest design blunder you can make in the kitchen? Tell us in the Comments.

Dan Kitchens Australia

Kitchen Designer and Renovator Graeme Metcalf of Dan Kitchens: Specifying materials and appliances in a kitchen design without you or your client being fully aware of the benefits and pitfalls of each. Designing a kitchen should involve the client learning from you about the different elements in your proposed design. Equally, you need to be confident the items you are proposing are going to work and are going to last. Furthermore, just because an appliance is the latest technological gadget, doesn’t guarantee it will be trouble free. Take for instance the problem we’ve discovered with induction cooktops. Some rangehoods, for instance, simply can’t be used with induction cooktops as they have trouble dealing with the steam. This is but one example, but it serves to illustrate the growing complexities we face as designers in recommending appliances to our clients. Know your product!

Kim Duffin for Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms

Kitchen Designer and Renovator Kim Duffin of Sublime Architectural Interiors: Inexperienced designers often think about form (aesthetics) first, when function should always be your first consideration. Some people are driven by how something looks rather than how something works, but a well-planned and designed space is more likely to stand the test time. Take for instance developments in technology, and new fixtures, fittings and finishes to hit the market – you can’t forward plan with these details in mind, which is why a kitchen can often look ‘dated’ when it so heavily relies on aesthetics. Once a design is functional, only then should it be layered and highlighted with materials, lighting, appliances and fittings.

Royston Wilson Design

Building Designer Royston Wilson of Royston Wilson Design: When a pantry and fridge are separated at opposite ends of the kitchen. These are both pantries; one just happens to be cold storage and one dry storage. Think about how much more travel time you will have when you are unloading your groceries. Another area that is often missed until the kitchen is installed is leaving too much space between the island and back bench. It’s amazing how an extra step can make a perceptible difference.

Bagnato Architecture & Interiors

Architect Dominic Bagnato of Bagnato Architects: A simple blunder that can destroy even the most well-planned kitchen is severely under lighting the work benches and, even worse, creating shadows that make working in a kitchen unpleasant. Task lighting is important and with the advent of LED strip lighting, all benches can be even lit with undermount lighting. Consulting an expert or your local lighting shop is just as important as designing the kitchen itself.

Lewisham Interiors

Interior Designer and Decorator Larissa Davis of Lewisham Interiors: Poorly considered lighting – that is, relying on ceiling lighting alone – might not only result in accidents at the chopping board but will also leave a bland, uninteresting and uninviting look and feel to your kitchen. The inclusion of ambient lighting is especially important to consider in an open-plan space, where the kitchen, dining and living areas are connected. Be sure that the colour of light is a warm white, that you address the switching of each of the lights to allow you the flexibility to illuminate only the areas you wish, and connect all to dimmers so you can change the ambiance depending on the need or occasion.

Anne Ellard Design

Interior Designer and Decorator Anne Ellard of Anne Ellard Design: In my opinion, the biggest design blunder that a lot of people make in any part of their home, but particularly in the kitchen, is not going with their heart and feeling they should follow the latest trends. Trends, like fashion, come and go, and what was the ‘in thing’ five years ago could, quite possibly, be considered dated today. I encourage clients to consider two main factors, first and foremost, when working together on the design of their new kitchen. One is the style and era of their home, and the second is their own personal taste. The shiny white kitchen on the cover of a magazine, for instance, may not be the right choice for you or your home. Follow your heart instead.

Sophie Seeger

Interior Designer and Decorator Sophie Seeger: Good ergonomics are important in the kitchen, and the correct height of benchtops is vital to good health. A benchtop that is too high or too low is a serious design blunder that can result in strained shoulders and back and neck pain. The standard height of benchtops is about 900 millimetres from the floor, but they can be anywhere from 850 to 1050 millimetres. When compiling your kitchen brief, remember to consider who spends most of the time cooking, and what height they are. They should be able to have their arms at their sides and elbows bent at 90 degrees, with the benchtop surface just a few inches beneath their hands.

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F B

Lady rob 1 I would suggest your small interior room was designed for cyclone safety

Like 4 April 2017 at 11:51pm

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Cath

We have our pantry (not walk in) one end of the kitchen and the fridge at the other, and we don't have an issue. Ours are 3.5+m apart, and are equi distant from the cooktop and the sink. I think not having a second sink is far more of a problem.

2 Likes 8 October 2017 at 1:33am

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Angelina Jolie

Like 31 May 2021 at 1:02pm