You've probably noticed that not all kitchens are the same. In fact, a kitchen's purposefulness depends on several factors.
A kitchen with good looks is not necessarily a bad thing. However, a kitchen is, at its core, a functional space. If it's not as user-friendly as it should be, then your modular kitchen design may be flawed. If you're revamping your kitchen or looking to buy a new home, you may want to be abreast with common kitchen mistakes to get around them.
That's where we step in!
We have shared five kitchen design mistakes that ruin its purpose. Take a look and make sure you do not have these in your kitchen!
Not Respecting the Work Triangle
The kitchen's work triangle, also known as the "golden triangle," consists of the stove, sink, and refrigerator. Experts in kitchen design recommend that these three elements form an equal triangle. This makes it easy to use a kitchen. You'll waste your time and energy if this isn't the case.
Picking the Wrong Layout for Your Space
Usually, the builder hands over the layout to you, and there isn't much you can do about it. Truth be told, the layout is crucial in determining how comfortable you can move in your kitchen. It also affects how much storage space is available.
In this case, the kitchen design mistake could be having the wrong layout to maximize the space available and meet your needs. So, make sure the layout justifies the available space and doesn't look over the line.
Blocking Windows or Thoroughfares
Every designer worth their salt will tell you they never block any window or opening. It is not good to block any windows or passageways that lead to other spaces, especially in kitchens.
Having Just OneKind of Lighting
You will relate to this problem if you've just one tube light or just recessed lighting in your kitchen. Multi-functional spaces like kitchens require a multi-pronged approach to lighting. Otherwise, you'll have blinding lights where they aren't needed and shadows where light is required.
Having Dead Spaces in the Corners
There are cabinet-corners in almost every poorly-planned kitchen that you can't reach no matter what you do. These corners are basically dead spaces and can't be used unless they are converted into usable space.
Not Having a Pantry
It may seem that you don't need a pantry as you really don't need to stock up on groceries. However, 2020 proved otherwise! Even the most thrifty shoppers stockpiled groceries during the lockdown. Another advantage of having a single stock - you don't need to search in other cabinets for groceries because everything is in one place.
Insisting on a Kitchen Island
Kitchen islands can be useful, but they also take up space. So, it is not advisable to decide on a kitchen island based on your whims. A more logical approach is to plan your space. You should avoid island designs if your kitchen is either straight or parallel. Moreover, island kitchens are only compatible with open layouts. You don't need an island in a closed kitchen unless the carpet area of your kitchen is big enough.
Underestimating Your Storage Needs
You can overestimate your storage requirements because there are always a few extra things in your kitchen that would need space. Plus, more storage never hurt anyone. On the flip side, having less storage space can be a problem.
Not only will you struggle to organise your stuff, but there will also be a chance that pests might start breeding in the inaccessible places that you haven't cleaned for years.
So, a good approach is to leave enough space in your kitchen that houses all the stuff and can be cleaned appropriately.
Not Designing for Your Height
Imagine this - constantly standing on your tiptoes to reach the top cabinets. Not good, no? So don't make the mistake of placing the cabinets out of your reach to make space. Remember, if you can't reach your cabinets fully, you're wasting them.
Final Word
A kitchen's purposefulness is determined by how efficiently you use its space and how beautiful it looks. Moreover, don't forget to stock up your kitchen with essentials like chef knives and other utilities to make the most of it!
