Redesigning a kitchen likely stands as one of the largest makeovers you can undertake within your home. This space essentially serves as the core of every household—the place where individuals come together to dine, chat, share stories, and bond over delicious food. Ideally, this area needs to feel welcoming, readily available, functional, and convenient enough to attract everyone. Moreover, it ought to embody the essence of those residing there and align with the overall aesthetic of the residence. Given my marriage to someone involved in building projects—a civil engineer named Kyle Nicholson—who takes pride in handling tasks personally, I have firsthand knowledge through assisting him during renovations, demolition work, and constructing kitchens anew. With more than two decades of expertise under his belt, Kyle benefits significantly from having a highly aesthetically-aware mom, which aids immensely when making decisions regarding interior decor.
We’re presently constructing our 4000-square-foot ideal home in the mountainous region of Asheville, North Carolina, with Kyle overseeing the project as the general contractor. We have quite a bit of knowledge regarding do-it-yourself projects, construction processes, and transforming rough ideas sketched out—like those drawn on cocktail napkins—into stunning homes.
The kitchen requires a robust and effective layout.
, after drafting our own and now witnessing it take shape, we understand several key aspects of the optimal, as well as suboptimal design decisions one can make in this — the core of the house.
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Not Considering The Backsplash
Although often overlooked, backsplashes play a crucial role in capturing visual interest within your kitchen. They serve as a bridge between the upper section of your kitchen—typically adorned with either enclosed cabinetry or exposed shelves—and the lower part comprising your worktops, base units, and flooring. Omitting them would result in a stretch of bare wall that could be painted; however, this area might require constant maintenance due to exposure to spills and splashes near cooking areas.
A Dream Kitchen
Covers a range of materials from glass to the commonly preferred ceramic tiles, including metals and bricks for backsplashes. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Metals are known for their durability and low maintenance requirements, whereas tiles provide a traditional look along with extensive options for personalization at an affordable cost.
When it pertains to design, your selection should lean towards a
a backsplash that unifies the kitchen
Without being overly boisterous or following every trend, avoid mismatched grouting, bold colors, or an entirely monochrome scheme—depending on the overall direction of your kitchen design.
Poor Lighting
Has this happened to you: trying to dice garlic super fine only to come dangerously close to cutting the end of your finger because visibility was so bad? Yeah, me too. While some might point fingers at my own cooking skills, I prefer to chalk it up to inadequate lighting in the kitchen—a significant oversight during kitchen renovations. Dim lights and outdated bulbs are common issues in older kitchens, but there’s really no reason for such problems in newly designed or recently refurbished spaces.
Kyle Nicholson notes that advancements in recessed lighting now make installation simpler than before. Additionally, today’s energy-efficient light bulbs produce more lumens with less wattage compared to earlier models, making them suitable even for vintage fixtures. He adds, “When selecting colors like cabinetry, countertops, tiles, or paints, opt for the lightest shades of white that align with your style preferences.”
Inadequate illumination may stem from using old-fashioned fittings, yet it could also result from neglecting to incorporate natural light and miscalculating the necessary dimensions of your fixtures. Pendant lamps that are too diminutive above an island will appear insignificant and contribute minimally—if at all—to improving visibility.
Not Having Enough Outlets
Certainly, you’ve encountered situations where you wanted to whip up a batch of cookies using your stand mixer, blend a refreshing smoothie with your blender, or create some zucchini noodles with your spiralizer, but found yourself struggling because you were too far from an electrical outlet once everything was set up. Although filling one wall with multiple outlets might not look particularly attractive, doing so would certainly add convenience and functionality to your kitchen space. It’s best not to have wires stretched across the stove, along countertops, or close to sinks. Additionally, each outlet in your kitchen should comply with GFCI standards—Ground-fault Circuit Interrupter—which is mandated by the National Electrical Code. Kitchens require this heightened safety measure due to their proximity to water sources.
Kyle Nicholson points out that the precise quantity of electrical outlets in a kitchen is typically determined by local building regulations. He explains, “Since most kitchen devices come with relatively brief power cables, codes often mandate an outlet approximately every couple of feet along each counter.” Additionally, he notes that sufficient outlets must be installed for larger appliances, possibly necessitating specialized wiring or varying levels of current capacity.
Lack Of Seating
The kitchen inevitably turns into the heart of every activity. Consider all the parties, gatherings, or meet-ups you have attended—people invariably end up clustering in the kitchen. Be it gathered around the central island, perched on countertops, or seated at the dining table, the space naturally invites areas where individuals can relax, converse, and settle down. Running short of seating is often one of the most challenging issues within this bustling area.
When you’re
designing your kitchen
Your dining area might be integrated into the same space, which can work well. However, if you have a distinct dining zone, ensure that you include both bar or counter seating and perhaps additional casual spots for snacking or eating meals. This could range from a compact breakfast nook to a larger table setup. There’s no need—or even room—to squeeze in extra seats or forcibly add an island with barstools if it doesn’t suit the layout. Overlooking where folks—be they visitors or family members—can comfortably eat their snacks would be a significant misstep in design. “Having some seating within the kitchen area tends to draw people together,” notes Kyle Nicholson. Alternatively, he suggests considering a peninsula near the entrance of the kitchen as a practical substitute when expanding the overall floor plan isn’t feasible.
Insufficient Storage
In the kitchen, you’ve got numerous items to keep organized. From a set of stacking glass bowls to your large stand mixer or hefty crab pot, and even your frequently used plates, finding storage spaces for both regular and occasional use utensils and appliances is essential. However, lacking sufficient room for everything can create problems.
cluttered counters
and an somewhat unsettling atmosphere in your kitchen. “Think of the kitchen as a communal area; whenever feasible, design something akin to a butler’s pantry, and move most of the storage space (particularly overhead cabinets) elsewhere. The transformation can be quite remarkable.”
upper cabinets
“can cause a space to appear more cramped,” according to Kyle Nicholson.
To tell you the truth, in our newly constructed house, we’ve incorporated several smart design choices. We installed pull-out drawers in the deeper, lower cabinets; moved our refrigerator into an expansive butler’s pantry; and created extensive wall-to-floor storage solutions elsewhere. These modifications enable us to enjoy sleek open shelves without sacrificing necessary storage space. Every item remains within easy reach and neatly organized. Our countertops stay free of clutter as a result.
Closing It Off
Prior to the era of open-concept layouts prevalent today, rooms used to be distinctly separated. If you visit homes built before the 1960s, you’ll see that every section was confined within its boundaries. There weren’t clear views into various parts of the house, and each room served only one purpose — unlike modern settings where an open area can accommodate several simultaneous activities such as watching television and preparing meals.
Nowadays, isolating the kitchen from the main living zones seems outdated and poorly thought out—especially considering how vital it becomes during gatherings. As Kyle Nicholson points out, “The adage holds true: everybody winds up in the kitchen. Thus, integrating it with other social spaces makes it welcoming while allowing those extra guests to spread throughout the rest of the home.”
Finishing off your kitchen as an enclosed space nowadays is considered poor design. Should you plan on potentially reselling your house in the future, having open access and visibility between rooms can significantly enhance its appeal. Although removing or opening up a wall might appear daunting, getting some assistance from professionals could make it worthwhile over time.
Missing The Triangle
When we began assembling our
kitchen plans
For our new home, I often mentioned to Kyle that I wanted the perfect triangle. One day, our 5-year-old overheard us and asked, “Are we heading to the Bermuda Triangle?” It seems I might have slightly unnerved my kid. However, this triangle isn’t about lost ships; rather, it’s an efficient zone in the kitchen located among the refrigerator, stove, and sink. This setup eases meal preparation because everything is easily accessible—grabbing ingredients from the fridge, chopping them nearby, washing up at the sink, and moving directly to the cooktop becomes straightforward and convenient.
As stated by Kyle Nicholson, the concept of the ‘triangle’ refers to the layout formed by connecting the positions of the sink, refrigerator, and stove/range/oven. This arrangement needs to remain clear since it plays a crucial role during meal preparation. While there isn’t an exact distance specified among these points, they must be conveniently situated so as not to require extensive movement along each pathway. If a kitchen plan disregards this principle or places items like the fridge at a considerable distance away or situates the sink awkwardly, then such inefficiencies could render the entire workspace ineffective.
Dark Countertops
Some people might disagree with us, but dark countertops frequently turn out to be a poor decision when designing kitchens. While there are certain settings where darker counters could fit well, if cleanliness and visibility are priorities in your kitchen space, selecting an option that absorbs rather than reflects light isn’t ideal. Here’s why opting for dark surfaces usually doesn’t make sense: It becomes significantly trickier to spot stains and debris since these tend to blend into the background until accidentally touched. Additionally, dark countertops highlight fingerprints and marks far more noticeably compared to lighter ones; something that would likely deter someone as particular about tidiness as myself.
In a compact kitchen, darker countertops may cause the area to appear even tighter. Lighter surfaces tend to bounce off more natural light, giving your kitchen a larger appearance. Should you be aiming to simplify an excessively spacious kitchen, definitely opt for dark countertops. However, if you prefer a roomy and breezy atmosphere, choose lighter colors instead.
Mismatched Styles
If you’re taking on a fixer-upper and have to correct the errors from before, you’ll probably face many challenges.
mismatched kitchen styling
, thanks to many homeowners each aiming to leave their imprint on a room. Although carpets and wall paints are straightforward updates for a bedroom, tackling various cabinets, ‘60s era backsplashes, and laminate flooring can feel overwhelming when renovating a kitchen. Additionally, stripping everything back to the studs and planning the entire kitchen layout anew might seem intimidating for those taking on this task for the first time.
The key point is this: once you begin making changes in your kitchen, avoid stopping halfway and ending up with an assortment of clashing designs. While those honey-toned wooden cabinets might seem like they’re perfectly fine left untouched—and perhaps they are—if you decide to replace the flooring and backsplash with contemporary options, these updates could make the overall look feel disjointed. Should you opt to keep one particular feature exactly as it is, incorporate it into your design scheme rather than disregarding it while updating every other aspect, which would isolate that specific component. When undertaking renovations from square one, draw ideas from home decor publications and professional interior designers; doing so will help ensure a unified vision throughout the entire space—not piecemeal alterations focused solely on individual elements.
Going Too Sterile Or Too Ornate
Have you ever experienced that unpleasant sensation of being in a doctor’s office—where the harsh, glaring light from the fluorescent bulbs reflects off the stark white surfaces and metallic fittings? You certainly wouldn’t wish for that atmosphere in your kitchen. Similarly, avoid going too extreme with the decor; balance is key.
Tuscan kitchen vibes
With tiles, mosaics, trinkets, excessively yellow lighting, and an overload of items on countertops. Your kitchen ought to showcase your personal taste yet still be grounded in principles of design and functionality.
Opting for an all-white design scheme (a style gradually being replaced by the soothing appeal of Millennial Gray) may make your kitchen appear airy and fresh, yet chilly and impersonal. Rather than covering every element in white, consider applying this hue only to the backsplash or countertops. Opt for warmer tones when choosing cabinet colors or introduce a playful touch with vintage-style appliances featuring bold, vibrant shades.
Painting Your Countertops
I would never approve of painting countertops. I’ve witnessed DIY projects where this was attempted, resulting in poor outcomes—the initial painted finish eventually peeling off. Even someone as adventurous as Kyle Nicholson hesitates when it comes to doing this. He acknowledges that modern paints can indeed refresh an old area; however, they should not be applied to specific materials like countertops. “Furthermore, only particular types of paint can withstand continuous contact with water—especially puddles near sink areas,” he points out. In general, there’s a high likelihood that the end result will appear inconsistent, won’t function properly, and will require extensive maintenance.
If you’re thoroughly unhappy with your countertops but have limited funds set aside for redesigning them, ensure you go over each available alternative. Materials such as granite, quartz, stainless steel, sealed concrete, and polished wood could potentially serve well as countertop surfaces; these materials can withstand significant wear from daily kitchen activities too. Additionally, they vary considerably when it comes to cost which makes fitting within almost anyone’s financial plan quite feasible. So instead of picking up a paintbrush, consider exploring all possibilities initially.
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