Are you tired of working in your outdated kitchen? Do you feel like a remodeling project is needed to transform the interior design of this room? Do you feel the need for a cooler, more functional and more welcoming kitchen space? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should quickly consider a kitchen remodeling project! It goes without saying that a kitchen remodeling project is one of the most sought after and also one of the most expensive home remodeling projects undertaken by most homeowners. Therefore, careful planning is necessary to achieve the full effect that you, the owner, want.
However, some of us still fall into the trap of incorporating some interior design elements that damage the functionality and harmony of the kitchen space. What are some of the biggest mistakes homeowners have made when designing their kitchens? Here are some of them:
Not making the most of storage spaces. If you’re thinking you’re not making this big mistake just because you have rows and rows of cabinets and shelves in your kitchen, think again. By maximizing storage spaces, we’re not just talking about the actual linear footage that goes into cabinets and shelves. We are also concerned with where these storage spaces are placed!
As a general rule of thumb, there should be about 48 to 72 inches of wall cabinets for glasses, plates, and bowls above the sink and dishwasher to keep things in order. To make sure your kitchen storage is housewife-friendly, there should be another 48 to 72 inches of cabinets near the oven to keep dishes and other supplies in place. To top it off, another set of low cabinets should be placed near the stove to store your pots and pans.
Another good idea is to make the most of blind corners by outfitting them with swing-out kitchen utensil caddies or lazy Susans. Your kitchen drawers can also increase your overall storage space by fitting them with full-extension sliders or built-in dividers. And by the way, you can use your kitchen cabinets to add visual interest and complement your overall kitchen interior design.
Installation of an island too large. An island countertop is a versatile addition that can also spruce up any kitchen’s interior design. An ideal island should be between 36 and 48 inches deep and between 36 and 120 inches wide. This should give you plenty of work surface plus plenty of room for an overhang to sit on. However, some homeowners request a larger and wider island thinking that bigger is better. Well, this is not true in this case! An island larger or wider than this is more difficult to use and to clean.
Another thing to consider if you plan to have an island in your kitchen is the gap between the island and the surrounding cabinets. You want to make sure there is at least 42 inches of clearance between them to keep traffic and kitchen chaos to a minimum!
There is not enough light in the kitchen. It can be very difficult to do chores if there is not enough light to get by. Even the brightest recessed ceiling lights and pendant lights tend to cast shadows. Therefore, it would be better to install adequate lighting for the various tasks in the kitchen and try to incorporate it into the overall design of the space. Some of the best lights for this purpose include halogen, xenon, or fluorescent work lights installed to direct plenty of light to your workstations. An added bonus: the lighting can also be used to enhance the interior design of the room!
There is not enough ventilation. Some owners tend to take this matter for granted. What they do not take into account is that having good ventilation significantly improves the quality of the air inside the home. It can also help ventilate any offensive odors and extra heat that results from your cooking making your home smell and feel fresher!
Keep in mind that the kitchen is the heart of your home and updating the interior design of your kitchen can increase its functionality and appeal. Just make sure you don’t make the same mistakes that many of our fellow stay at home moms make!
