5 Common Kitchen Design Mistakes To Avoid, From An Interior Designer

Before you pick up a moodboard or fall head-first into a Pinterest (or The Design Files!) vortex when planning your dream kitchen, just pause. Take a beat.

Firstly, the most important thing to do is to ask yourself questions and find out what’s important to you, rather than just following fads.

Your kitchen should be designed to suit what you cook, how you entertain, and how you will live in the space. For instance, do you need a separate area to store gluten-free foods? Then let’s design a GF only pantry.

Do you drink coffee or prefer tea? Do we need a coffee machine or shelves to display your tea pot collection?

Home-made pasta chef in the house? You’ll need a gorgeous benchtop to scatter all of that flour over just like a Tuscan nonna.

You get the idea. Once you figure out what actually matters, suddenly all those kitchen decisions start feeling less like a minefield and more like a meaningful chat with your future self.

Below, find some of the most common mistakes I see people make when it comes to renovating kitchens!

Mistake #1: Making a small kitchen completely white

Look, I get it. If you have a small dark area for the kitchen, the very first thought is: ‘How can we make this kitchen look bigger?’

Followed with ‘let’s make the whole kitchen completely white!’

But what actually happens when you white-out a cramped kitchen is you highlight every shadow, every weird corner, and every glum bit of grout. Instead of fresh and airy, you get dentist waiting room vibes.

Rather than trying to make the kitchen appear larger in size, instead aim for a larger-than-life look. A small dark space will sing when colour is introduced! Embracing contrast and texture will help create an inviting kitchen, with lots of personality.

Mistake #2: Using too many overhead cabinets

I am all for making the most of every inch of space for storage, but too often, overhead storage can overwhelm a space. And it isn’t always practical!

Overhead cupboards work well for glassware and mugs, however anything beyond arm’s reach becomes a graveyard for random clutter.

If space is limited and you must use overhead storage, consider incorporating a Space Step plinth by Blum, which is basically like a hidden drawer with a platform in the design.

Instead of filling the space with overhead storage that you might not really need, consider adding a break in the kitchen cabinetry. Aesthetically, it makes the kitchen feel more integrated into the living space. Install a wall light, open shelving, or even art there instead!

Mistake #3: Never mixing metallics

I understand the desire to match all of the metallic finishes in the kitchen, or even the whole house. With so many decisions to make, it feels good to choose one metallic finish to rule them all.

In reality, when we experience a space in person, we don’t need everything to match for a space that feels coherent. It’s more about co-ordination. Knowing this will save you from spiralling when your oven knobs are brass, but your pendant is bronze, and now your brain is melting.

Mixing metals can actually enhance the kitchen, adding depth to create a space that feels layered and beautiful.

Tumbled brass taps can indeed mingle with a dark bronze pendant light fixture. The polished brass knobs of the freestanding cooker can co-ordinate with nickel tapware. Trust me, it works.

Mistake #4: Being afraid of natural stone

Marble. Quartzite. Travertine. We fear them. Natural stone stains just by looking at it the wrong way and on top of that, the cost can be eye-watering. So we want to make sure it is perfect and pristine — but who wants to live in such an uptight home that even a glass of water needs a coaster? Not me.

I have good news for you. Not all stone is created equal. Some natural stone types do stain easily, but others are more durable. And there are many fabulous sealants to that will help you protect your benchtop, so you don’t have to panic about a rogue lemon.

Still, stone is a material that comes from the earth, it is not indestructible. But think of those marble counters at chic old French bistros. What about those historic marble floors you walked all over in Milan? It’s magic, even with all that wear and tear.

If you want a pristine benchtop forever and ever, maybe go for something tiled, laminate, or stainless steel. But if you’re okay with your kitchen telling a story — of pasta nights and strong coffee and Sunday baking — then natural stone will love you right back.

Mistake #5: Designing the kitchen for aesthetics alone

I’ve swooned over those minimalist Instagram kitchens before, with the perfectly styled island bench, with an artful display of pears, yet absolutely no sign of how to make a coffee.

It’s gorgeous, but not practical for someone that has a kettle, a toaster, or a family.

I’m an interior designer, so of course I value aesthetics — just not above function. Remember your kitchen isn’t a showroom. So if it doesn’t allow for actual life — bins, tea towels, appliances, and somewhere for the lids, it’s going to feel frustrating pretty quickly. When your kitchen functions with ease, then its beauty really shines.

I’ll also add that details like lighting can often be an afterthought when it comes to designing a kitchen. So make sure that it’s an integral part of the design from the outset, so that you’re not chopping onions in your own shadow!