1. Not Enough Counter Space
Countertop space is one of the most useful things in your kitchen. It’s where you chop, mix, and set food before cooking. Many people don’t plan for enough of it, and the kitchen begins to feel cramped, fast.
Having extra space makes life easier. Even if you don’t cook a lot, counters hold small appliances, groceries, and mail. It’s impossible to have too much countertop space, and oftentimes people find themselves not having enough.
2. Bad Sink, Stove, and Fridge Placement
The sink, stove, and fridge are the main elements of a kitchen that are used all the time. These should form a “kitchen triangle,” so that you can move between them without bumping into stuff or getting in the way of others in the kitchen.
If they’re too far apart, cooking feels like running laps. If they’re too close, you end up stuck in one corner. The sweet spot is a balanced layout—one that flows naturally, making cooking feel smoother, more comfortable, and far more efficient.
3. Poor Lighting
Ceiling lights often leaves unwanted shadows on the countertops, shelves, or cabinets. This makes it hard to see what you’re doing, and makes the room feel falt and uninviting. Poor lighting makes the space look and feel dull, while brighter lighting elevates mood, vibes ,and productivity.
Good lighting has layers: overhead lights, task lights under cabinets, and sometimes pendant lights above islands. It’s not just about making it look luxury (although it does), but more about seeing clearly when using your kitchen for its purpose.
4. No Space for Trash and Recycling
Too often, there isn’t enough space for trash and recycling bins, or they’re placed in awkward, inconvenient spots. Bins get tucked into random corners, making the space feel cluttered and disorganized. Also, in many cases, one bin is not enough for the amount of waste produced, leading to multiple mismatch containers that only lead to more of a mess.
It’s easier to have built-in, or pull-out bins. That way, trash isn’t the first thing you see or smell in a room, and cleanup is quick and easy.
*Bonus! Placing your trash bins and washing machine on either sides of your sink makes a very efficent cleaning and washing process.
5. Cabinets That Don’t Open Right
Cabinets may look good in original drawings, but once installed, many problems can arise that were unexpected. The oven or microwave may not open all the way, or the symmetry of the cabinets may end up being off. This can be very frustrating, and make them annoying for every day use.
Always test how doors swing in a layout before finishing the design. Even a small change, like flipping the direction a door opens, can make a big difference in how smooth the kitchen feels and operates.
6. Ignoring Walkways
Walkways are easy to overlook. If they’re too tight, it makes the kitchen feel cramped, and can be frustrating when trying to navigate around another working in the kitchen. It can cause unnecessary stress when more than one person is in the kitchen.
At least three feet of space is usually enough for one person, and four feet works better if the kitchen is busy. Wide walkways make the entire kitchen feel bigger and more open.
*Bonus! Try to keep pathways into other rooms open and straight for more of a smooth flow.
7. Forgetting Ventilation
Cooking makes steam, smoke, and various scents. Without good ventilation, things such as unpleasant smell and cloudy air can stick to cabinets and backsplash, making the kitchen stuffy, and un-clean.
A range hood or vent fan helps keep the air clean. It not only helps with smell, but also with grease and steam. A simple vent system makes a big difference.
*Bonus! If you don’t a have duct vent to exhaust the air outside, you can have a recirculation vent installed that cleans the air with charcoal filters.
8. Putting the Dishwasher in a Bad Spot
The dishwasher should be close to the sink, but if it interferes with cabinets or door, it becomes a hassle. If two people are unloading and putting dishes away, or washing items in the sink, the flow matters even more.
Think about how the dishwasher opens and what’s nearby. Can you walk past somone if the dishwasher door is open? If you can load, unload, and put dishes away without twisting around, and others can pass by, you have a good layout.
9. No Room for Small Appliances
Toasters, coffee makers, and blenders often end up left out, randomly, on countertops. Without enough space for them, and the kitchen feels cluttered.
Adding appliance garages or dedicated shelves can help. Even just one extra cabinet or counter section makes storing these items easier, and keeps things clean and tidy.
11. Forgetting a Pantry
A lot of kitchen designs skip over a pantry, or don’t leave enough storage space for food. This means food ends up stuffed into random cabinets, making it hard to find what you need. It is important to keep an organized kitchen!
Even a small pantry or a tall cabinet for dry goods can make a big difference. It keeps the counters clear and makes the kitchen more organized, so everyday use is much more simple.
