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Common kitchen design mistakes to avoid

Your kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home. It’s a social centre; it sometimes serves as a home office; but, most importantly, it’s where you store and prepare your food. Every minute of our hectic day is precious, and cooking healthy, delicious food takes time. A good kitchen design can help you get things done efficiently, while a poorly planned kitchen can be a frustrating timewaster.

The design team at Laurysen Kitchens has developed a list of common kitchen design mistakes to avoid as you prepare for your perfect kitchen renovation or new kitchen. We know you’ll find it helpful because if there’s one room in your home where you must get the design right, this is it.

There’s a certain amount of personal tailoring that goes into a new kitchen, such as favourite colours, preferred kitchen design styles and more. A lot also depends on how you cook and the appliances you favour. Additionally, there are certain things we all need: enough storage, ample space to cook, good lighting and the ability to clean up afterwards.

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Common kitchen design mistakes

(Jump right to each item below this list)

1: Sink, stove & fridge too close together

2: Obstructions in the path of the work triangle

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3: Placing sink & dishwasher too far apart

4: Not enough counter space, especially beside the sink or oven

5: Cooking surface height below the top of the counter

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6: Not enough storage

7: No plan for trash management

8: An island too big for the space

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9: Not enough lighting

10: Skimping on quality of cabinets

11: Inadequate ventilation

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12: Not enough outlets for the appliances you need

13: Badly positioned or wrong size of cabinetry

14: Bad workflows & no zone planning

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15: Getting the kitchen furniture wrong

16: Flooring that doesn’t match the space or do its job

Let’s look at each of these mistakes:

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1. Sink, stove & fridge too close together

Your kitchen layout is fundamental, particularly ensuring that there’s enough room between three points: the sink, stove and refrigerator. (This is also known as the working triangle.) Further, there are some tricks to arranging kitchen appliances that give you proper space to work without bumping into anything.

For example, think about this common task: vegetables are rinsed at the sink, chopped and then moved over to the stove to be cooked. If there’s no counter space between the sink and stove, you need to go out of your way to find a chopping area.

The fridge needs some breathing room as well. Remember that people often open the door and spend a few moments looking at the contents if they’re trying to decide what they want. This can get in the way of someone who’s in the middle of cooking a meal.

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In general, if the three main appliances are too close together, you’re going to feel crowded.

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2. Obstructions in the path of the work triangle

Not only do you need enough space, you also must be able to walk directly from station to station. If, for example, a pantry door swings out in front of the stove or the corner of a kitchen island juts into the shortest path between the stove and sink, walking around them is going to be inefficient in the long term.

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An important detail to pay attention to is which direction the refrigerator door swings (on some models, the door can be mounted on either side). Bifold fridge doors can help save space and energy in smaller kitchens.

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3. Placing sink & dishwasher too far apart

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A smart layout keeps the sink and dishwasher in one convenient zone.

These two work together as a cleaning station — people often give the dishes a quick rinse before stacking them in the dishwasher or soak them to loosen debris. You’ll want to transfer dishes directly from the sink to the dishwasher, so the appliances should be close together.

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There are other related design mistakes as well: The sink and garbage area aren’t close enough together; and the dishwasher is too far away from cutlery, dinnerware and glassware storage.

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4. Not enough counter space, especially beside the sink or oven

A sink should have as much countertop space as possible on both sides to create two areas for pots and dishes: a place to stack them when they’re still dirty and a separate counter on the other side to put the dish rack on. Even if you have a two-hole sink containing your dish rack, a counter to put dishes on when they’re clean, dried and ready to be put away is a huge asset.

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Ideally, you’ll also have countertop space on both sides of the stove, although you may not have a lot of options in a small kitchen. At the very least, you should have enough counter space beside the oven so that you can put down a heavy turkey or roast after you’ve pulled it out of the oven.

When deciding how much counter space you need, make sure to account for things like multiple people helping to prepare food, sorting groceries after a shopping trip or children working on homework after school.

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5. Cooking surface height below the top of the counter

Ideally, the top of your stove should be level with the top of the counter or slightly higher to avoid heat from the cooktop damaging the counter over time. For this reason and others, you should choose your appliances before finalizing measurements on your custom kitchen cabinets.

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6. Not enough storage

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Ample storage ensures a clutter-free and functional kitchen.

One of the biggest kitchen design mistakes is underestimating how much storage you need.

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Ensure that you have plenty of cabinets for storing cookware, dishes and small appliances so that you don’t need to go to another room to get the things you need. In some cases, you can install cabinets up to the ceiling. (Store items you rarely need in these upper cabinets.) Or — in addition to cabinetry — install a kitchen pantry to increase your storage exponentially.

All your cabinets and drawers should have enough space that you don’t need to move anything to get access to something else.

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7. No plan for trash management

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Keep your kitchen tidy with built-in solutions for trash and recycling.

These days, especially in cities like Ottawa, it’s not just about a trash can; there are different types of waste disposal to consider, including recyclables and compost. Yet, surprisingly, a common mistake is leaving waste management out of your kitchen design plan. Thankfully, there are many space-efficient options available today. From cabinets to drawers, storage systems specially designed for this purpose exist.

Bonus: Many of them are cleverly hidden.

You will need a convenient spot to place these so that you don’t need to sort items later. Preferably, the trash station is somewhere near an exterior door so that it’s easy to take it outside when the time comes. However, the essential consideration is that containers and scraps are easy to get out of your way while cooking.

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8. An island too big for the space

Kitchen islands can be a great way to get more room for storage, seating, additional countertop space to prepare meals and even house an appliance. But if it’s too large, it will be in your way as you move to the different areas in the working triangle.

Of all the kitchen design mistakes to avoid, installing an island that is too large is one of the most common. So, when designing your dream kitchen, be mindful of high-traffic areas and available floor space. Also, take cleanup into account: Will you need to walk around the island to clean it up and will that be a problem?

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9. Not enough lighting

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Every light in your kitchen should have a purpose, from task lighting to ambiance.

When you’re chopping and working with heat, adequate lighting is essential. Strong light is also needed to make sure you can see everything when cleaning. If your kitchen is a social space or includes an eating area, ambient light (from recessed lights, for example) is also required. A practical choice is dimmer switches, which allow for bright light when you need it and mellow light when you’re relaxing after a meal.

Lastly, ignoring lighting is a missed opportunity from a design perspective. For example, a room with distinctive pendant lights can help define its style, and accent lighting can call attention to any artwork. To make a room feel bigger, you’ll want lots of light to brighten up the space. (This works exceptionally well if you have high-gloss cabinetry that reflects light.)

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10. Skimping on quality of cabinets

Selecting high-quality cabinetry should be a top priority when designing your kitchen. In addition, your kitchen cabinets and their hinges need to be sturdy enough to withstand many years of opening and closing.

It’s true that cabinets aren’t cheap; they account for a big part of your kitchen design budget so this might be an area you’d like to cut costs. But don’t get fooled into buying cabinets that look good yet won’t last. They must endure daily wear and tear, so choose a quality cabinet material that works best for you and avoid cabinets made with cheap or flimsy materials. Always invest in well-made, good-quality cabinets.

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11. Inadequate ventilation

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Proper ventilation keeps your kitchen fresh and functional.

Some cheap range hoods don’t evacuate the air; they filter and recirculate it. So, get a system that pulls the air out of the house through a duct. This is especially important for gas cooktops that must be suitably vented for health and safety. And if you’ve ever smelled fried food in your home the day after you cooked it, you’ll know exactly why this is so important. A range hood that vents externally is essential if your kitchen is open to the rest of the house.

There’s another reason poor ventilation is featured on our list of kitchen design mistakes: excess heat generated by the stove can raise the overall room temperature, causing your refrigerator and, in warmer months, your air conditioning to work harder than they need to, which costs you money.

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12. Not enough outlets for the appliances you need

Most of us can’t live without a coffee machine, toaster or food processor close at hand in the kitchen — and, of course, our mobile devices need to be within reach at all times!

When undertaking a kitchen redesign, make a list of the appliances you use regularly and share this with your kitchen designer. Adding outlets to the end panel of base cabinets (or your kitchen island) and including some power sources strategically positioned along the walls will increase the versatility of the space.

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13. Badly positioned or wrong size of cabinetry

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Custom kitchen cabinetry maximizes storage and style.

It’s not enough to simply pick the colour and finish of your cabinets or choose the favourite hardware for your kitchen — cabinetry position and size matter, too.

If you desire a clean, sleek look, consider wall cabinets that reach the ceiling. They’re also more practical as short cabinets limit the amount of storage you can access. On the other hand, if you seek an open and airy feeling, reserve some of your wall space for open shelving to let the room breathe a bit. Finally, regardless of the style you’re going for, avoid placing a cabinet above the sink (it’ll just be in the way) and leave plenty of space around your cooktop because splatters will occur.

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There’s no right or wrong answer, but kitchen cabinetry decisions can increase the resale value of your home. And you don’t want anything that doesn’t look well planned out, so work with your kitchen designer to get the planning and esthetics just right.

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14. Bad workflows & no zone planning

Beyond establishing a work triangle with ideal dimensions, there are other zones to consider when designing a smart kitchen layout.

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You should set up zones for all recurring activities. For example, you’ll have a cooking zone, a cleaning zone and a zone for preparing meals. In each area, make sure everything’s within reach by selecting ergonomically designed cabinets with features such as fully extendable drawers or doors with lift systems that slide up and out of your way. Last but not least, don’t forget that proper lighting is needed for each zone.

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15. Getting the kitchen furniture wrong

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Blending functional furniture with custom finishes creates a cohesive space.

The furniture you fill the room with will accentuate your kitchen design style and help create a seamless look throughout the space.

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Will you choose stainless-steel appliances or hide your refrigerator in plain sight with timeless panels that match the cabinetry? What chairs are best for your kitchen island and dining area?

If you are looking for a cosy feel, consider upholstered pieces. Do you want to add a vintage accent? Retro chrome swivel stools might be the perfect addition.

If you aren’t clear about what kitchen design style you’re going for, browse kitchen design galleries for inspiration or reach out to a designer who can help you create your dream kitchen.

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16. Flooring that doesn’t match the space or do its job

Amid all the excitement that comes with renovating or building your new kitchen, don’t make one of the most common kitchen design mistakes: treating your floor as an afterthought.

Your floor is a very important aspect of your kitchen; it must be durable and function well for your family — and its sheer size means it has a huge impact on the design of your room. Just as there are many beautiful options available for your walls and backsplash, you’ll find a variety of patterns and materials for your floor. Select a surface that not only works well with your design but is also hard-working and will resist stains and scratches.

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Turn to the experts for design help

Designers can help you address everything on this list when it comes to a kitchen renovation or planning a new kitchen. They’ll help you choose the best cabinets, share the latest trends, and make your new kitchen everything you’ve ever dreamed it could be.

About the Author

Kristen Weese

Kristen Weese is a designer at Laurysen Kitchens who seamlessly blends creative design with technical precision to craft spaces that balance esthetics and functionality. A recipient of the NKBA Design Excellence Award, Kristen is inspired by natural materials and enjoys infusing high-contrast elements and unexpected touches into her designs. Her love of math ensures every inch is thoughtfully planned and executed.

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