For any home, a new kitchen is a significant but worthwhile investment. It will always bring value to your property in terms of looks and functionality. However, there are a few major kitchen design flaws to avoid if you want to save money in the long term. You don’t want to overlook any of the finer points.
We usually ignore the most fundamental elements when designing or rearranging kitchen layouts, such as where the trash cans go and how accessible the refrigerator is when cooking.
Because cooking and preparing food is the major purpose of a kitchen, it must be extremely functional. As a result, it’s critical to begin the planning process by considering how you’ll use the space for meal preparation and cooking.
Avoid these typical mistakes in kitchen design.
It’s easy to get caught up in the creative design process, but it’s vital to take a step back and think about what you need. Do you require enough room for a large family table or a second oven for your monthly roasts? Have your kids left the house and all you need now is a breakfast buffet? If you’re considering a large kitchen remodel, think about whether the space works for you or if you’ll need to knock down a wall or add an extension.
- Breaking out of a rut
Always think about how the kitchen will flow first and foremost – it’s fundamental to any successful design. The working kitchen triangle is a design principle that centers the flow of the kitchen on the ‘triangle’ produced by the arrangement of the sink, stove, and refrigerator. The triangle depicts the journey from one point to another, and it helps to identify how to effectively design a kitchen depending on the trip flow. However, with today’s cooks working harder than ever, the age-old triangle’s assumption is no longer relevant.
In terms of aesthetics, function, and layout, the kitchen has grown into a multipurpose room that continues to evolve. As a result, unlike the original work triangle, it can no longer be assumed that it would only have three work zones. Maintain a constant flow while adapting the working concept to your needs.
It’s vital to have a well-oiled culinary operation. If you don’t have one, your kitchen will not function as effectively as it should. People may place too much emphasis on aesthetics too early in the planning process. The most critical factor to examine should be functionality. If it looks fantastic but doesn’t work, it will rapidly become an annoyance, generating strain rather than joy.
- Worktops that were not properly measured
Securing worktops at the wrong height may risk the general operation of a kitchen. Is there a formula for finding the appropriate desk height? Kitchen worktops are typically between 890 and 940mm in height. This is the most comfortable working height for many culinary tasks.
There is no ideal height for worktops since worktop thicknesses and plinth heights are generally constrained. These two elements may alter depending on your provider or personal preference.
- Inadequate flooring installation
It’s an expensive error to choose the incorrect flooring for your kitchen. There are three key factors in kitchens: safety, durability, and simplicity of cleaning. Because kitchens get a lot of usages, choosing high-quality, long-lasting flooring that takes minimal maintenance and lasts a long time is critical. Vinyl and laminate are long-lasting and cost-effective kitchen flooring solutions, with each having its own set of features and benefits. To prevent making mistakes, think about the space you want to change before choosing a kitchen flooring style. This will assist you in determining appropriateness and style.
- Using the wrong type of paint
While color is crucial in kitchen paints, the finish is more vital because if you get the finish wrong, the paint will not last – no matter how lovely the shade is, splashes and spills will quickly ruin it. A kitchen paint should last longer than a typical matt emulsion.
Kitchens are one of our most used rooms in the house, so you’ll need paint that can keep up with them. Standard emulsion paints tend to fade quickly on kitchen walls, so look for something with a wonderful matt finish that is durable, grease-resistant, and washable.
Use a primer designed for difficult surfaces to avoid paint chipping or scratching. You won’t have to deal with any nasty solvent fumes because it’s water-based, and it’s also healthier for the environment.
- Inadequate ventilation
Good ventilation is essential in every kitchen, especially one where delicious cuisine is cooked daily. Cooking, especially on the stove, may produce lingering scents that, if not aired correctly, might spread throughout the house. While the aroma of home-cooked food is lovely right now, you don’t want it to permeate around the house and ruin the mood.
Invest in a good ventilation system that will trap impurities, circulate air, and keep your kitchen clean. Avoid low-cost gadgets that waste a lot of energy and just recycle the flow of air. There is always a method to reduce noise and energy consumption. For this, a custom range hood could be the best option.
- Cabinets are being thought about as a possible solution.
Kitchen cabinets aren’t the only choice for storage, especially if you’re on a budget. Cabinets may account for a major amount of the cash when it comes to designing and planning your new kitchen. If you’re on a budget, open shelving on higher levels may be a better alternative than wall cabinets. This will let you display anything from mugs and glasses to cookbooks, as well as attractive decorations and family photos, giving your kitchen a “heart of the home” feel.
Finally, a good kitchen should endure at least ten years, so getting it right the first time is critical. It’s also important to think about the property’s resale value, especially if you plan to relocate in the next 10 years.
You’re ready to start planning your dream kitchen now that you have a detailed checklist – but don’t commit these kitchen design errors
