From time to time, we come across what we like to call “kitchen design bloopers”. When we see these design mistakes in our clients’ kitchens, our #1 job is the fix it. Take a look at our top 5 kitchen design bloopers that we are constantly redesigning and re-configuring for our clients:

Not utilizing your kitchen corner

When we are at consultation meetings at the homes of potential clients, 9 times out of 10 we see a void in the corner section of their kitchens (first photo). That’s at least 4 square-feet of wasted storage space! Corner spaces are great for larger bulky items that you may not use on a daily basis, think: cake pans, mixing bowls, stock pots, you get the idea. So, not utilizing that corner space is essentially committing a kitchen design crime! There are various types of corner cabinets we utilize in our designs, such as Lazy Susan’s and blind corner cabinets (second photo).  Avoid this design blooper by not cutting any corners (pun intended) and include a corner cabinet in your next kitchen remodel.

Blooper:

Redesigned:

 Leaving no space for hardware

If you find yourself going the DIY direction of your kitchen remodel, then this blooper is one to pay attention to. You focus so much attention on the overall design and layout, you may forget to think about the smaller details. As designers, we are aware of this potential blooper and we are already wired to avoid it. In the first image below, the cabinets perpendicular to one another are colliding due to the hardware. The solution is to measure the depth of the hardware and always leave enough filler space (second photo) and the collision will be avoided.

Blooper:

Redesigned:

 Microwave height

Another blooper we see on consultations, the microwave is way too high (first photo). Yes, it’s fine having a microwave hood above your cooktop, but be sure it’s at the correct functional height. The solution for this is to be sure to keep the microwave level with the wall cabinets. An even better solution, is having your microwave at eye level or below (second photo). It’s important to have good visual of what your taking in and out of the microwave to avoid potential burn accidents.

Blooper:

Redesigned:

Peninsula Cabinet

Having a peninsula in your kitchen is a great way to incorporate extra workspace, but don’t forget about the wall cabinets. The wall cabinets on the wall over the peninsula are more difficult to reach (first photo) and end up being more of a hassle than functional. A great way to avoid this blooper is the incorporate open shelves for decoration (second photo) that can easily be accessed from the backside of the peninsula.

Blooper:

Redesigned:

 Not utilizing a cabinet for waste

Last but not least, if you’re redesigning your kitchen why not incorporate a space for waste? We have all been through the situation of where to place the bulky waste basket. It always seems to end up either on the floor at the end of a cabinet run, or is placed inside the pantry. We suggest putting a waste cabinet next to your sink for easy disposal right by your side! 

To avoid any more kitchen design bloopers give us a call if you would like to set up a consultation. If you would like any more information on kitchen designers, check out our previous blog on Reasons Why You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer.