The Biggest Kitchen Design Mistakes to Avoid

BySimon Hours Posted on Hours Updated on Categories Kitchen
kitchen design

At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’re all about DIY kitchen renovations, and we support anyone who chooses to take on the project themselves. But before you can get into the process of renovating—that being out with the old and in with the new—you have to design your new kitchen, and this is often where the most significant mistakes are made.

Any mistake in the kitchen design process can lead to catastrophic errors in the renovation process. Therefore, you must get your kitchen design perfect before you start renovating. I know it may be tempting to take to the kitchen with a sledgehammer today, but trust me, you will want to step back and get your design right first.

To help you create the perfect kitchen design, I thought it would be best to tell you what not to do rather than what to do. So, without further ado, continue reading to discover the biggest kitchen design mistakes to avoid in your kitchen renovation.

Not planning your kitchen design properly

Recreating a design you’ve seen online or in a magazine for your kitchen can quickly become overwhelming. While most kitchen designs can be imitated, they should serve only as inspiration.

You need to take into account your personal and family requirements first and foremost when planning a kitchen. Don’t make any rash decisions based on the design. Give it 24 hours and in that time, consider the functionality and practicality of all design choices. Consider your family needs and your lifestyle.

I recommend you read our guide on how to plan your kitchen right with our 3D Kitchen Planner before you start working on your kitchen design. And, if you’re planning to create an uber trendy kitchen, you’ll also want to look at this year’s kitchen design trends.

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Forgetting the kitchen work triangle

One of the most fundamental principles in kitchen design is the “work triangle.” This design concept involves positioning the three main work areas—the fridge, stove, and sink—in a triangular layout to create an efficient workflow. To ensure optimal functionality, each leg of the triangle should be between 1.2 and 2.7 metres in length, and the area within the triangle should remain free from obstructions.

Ignoring this principle can severely impact your kitchen’s usability, making everyday tasks feel cumbersome and inefficient. When designing your kitchen, prioritise unobstructed access to each point of the triangle. This will enhance your kitchen’s functionality, making it easier to navigate and improving overall efficiency.

If you need help with appliance placement or layout, visit our team at Ross’s Discount Home Centre in Guildford. As one of Perth’s leading appliance centres, we’re here to help you create the perfect kitchen layout for your needs.

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Not allowing for storage needs

A common mistake I see in kitchen design is not allocating enough storage space. Many customers come in search of a better storage solution after realising their kitchen can’t accommodate all their pots, pans, and pantry items, leaving things cluttered and messy.

While minimalistic kitchens with limited cabinetry may look great on Pinterest, they’re often impractical in real life. To avoid this issue, make sure to include ample cabinets and a spacious pantry in your kitchen design. Cabinets are essential for storing large, clunky items, and for a family-oriented or resale-focused kitchen, ample storage is a must.

Consider versatile storage options to enhance both functionality and style. Beyond traditional overhead and base cabinets, you might opt for open shelving or wall cabinets with glass doors to add a modern touch. And if you’re unsure which option to go with, check out our comparison article on Open Shelving vs. Traditional Cabinets to determine which best aligns with your needs.

Not having enough bench space

One of the most common mistakes in kitchen design is not allowing enough benchtop space. A functional kitchen requires ample workspace, especially around high-use areas like the stove and sink. When planning your kitchen, consider your workflow and ensure there’s plenty of bench space on both sides of the stove to place hot pots or prepare meals without restriction. Avoid placing your stove against a wall or boxing it in with cabinets, as this limits usable space and convenience.

It’s also essential to think about your lifestyle and daily routines. If your mornings are filled with coffee, toast, or smoothie prep, make sure there’s enough room to accommodate small appliances like the toaster, coffee machine, and blender. For those who love entertaining, an open, inviting layout with an island bench can be a great addition, providing extra space for meal prep and socialising.

When you’re ready to purchase benchtops in Perth, check out our range at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Our stone benchtops are designed for both style and function, giving you the workspace you need at a surprisingly affordable price.

Installing sinks in the island bench

In kitchens that feature an island bench, I often see people mistakenly install their sink into the island. The island is the focal point of a kitchen and is often used as a makeshift eating area. Before you start to renovate your kitchen, consider how the island bench will be utilised.

Your kitchen sink should be integrated into your general benchtop area. All of the kitchen sinks that we have to offer at Ross’s Discount Home Centre in Perth are suitable for such installation.

If you install sinks in your island bench, you’ll soon find that it will become untidy and unkempt. Moreover, dirty dishes and accessories will inevitably pile up in this area. Your island should be kept clean, unobstructed, and reserved solely for preparation or eating.

Not taking measurements of appliances first

Imagine investing $20,000 into your dream kitchen, only to realise that your refrigerator doesn’t fit or you neglected to leave space for a dishwasher. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think.

While designing your kitchen layout, it’s essential to consider not only the golden work triangle but also the exact measurements of each appliance. Appliance dimensions vary widely, so whether you’re reusing existing appliances or planning to buy new ones, always have the precise measurements of your fridge, cooktop, rangehood, microwave, dishwasher, and oven on hand. This information is crucial before you purchase pre-assembled cabinets or provide specifications to a cabinet maker.

For guidance on taking accurate measurements, make sure to check out The Best Way to Measure for Your New Kitchen, which covers practical steps to ensure everything fits perfectly. And if you’re ready to shop, you can view our full range of kitchen appliances and their measurements in our online store.

If you’re not where to place your dishwasher, you won’t want to miss our popular article, Dishwasher Placement: Finding the Perfect Position.

Forgetting about power points

In today’s kitchen, small appliances are essential for daily tasks. If you’re a fan of gadgets like toasters, blenders, coffee makers, and other devices, it’s crucial to incorporate enough power points in your kitchen design. Many people underestimate their needs, thinking one or two outlets will suffice—only to find themselves constantly unplugging one appliance to use another.

When planning your dream kitchen, be sure to account for multiple power outlets in convenient locations. This not only makes it easier to operate several appliances simultaneously but also gives you the flexibility to charge devices, like your phone, while cooking. A well-designed kitchen should offer both functionality and ease, and ensuring ample power points is a simple step that goes a long way.

Not being creative enough with the design

It may be tempting to just have a white-on-white kitchen, especially if you have reservations about following a design style or being able to pull off a specific style. However, an all-white kitchen isn’t the answer. True, they are safe and a sure thing. But they are also bland and boring.

Designing a kitchen with a little flair isn’t tricky, and you don’t need to be a kitchen designer to achieve this. You just have to think about the KISS principle. Keep it simple, stupid. By this, I mean, don’t go overboard.

Start with white cabinets, such as our range of affordable pre-assembled cabinets, and then add a little style through your choice of benchtop design, splashback tiles, and kitchen tapware.

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Forgetting about the rubbish bin

You have designed a killer kitchen, but it will be ruined by an unsightly, smelly rubbish bin if you don’t factor this into your design. You’d be silly not to include a pull-out rubbish bin in your cabinetry or include a broom cupboard to store your bin.

Not asking for professional advice

It is very gratifying to complete any type of home improvement by yourself, but unless you have had previous design experience, the kitchen is probably not the best place to start. Kitchens can cost in the tens of thousands to complete from start to finish. Therefore, you don’t want to make an uneducated or inexperienced decision that will come back to bite you when your kitchen is complete.

If you have any concerns about an aspect of your design, contact your tradie to run it by them first. Even if you are taking on a DIY kitchen reno, there is a good chance that you will still need a plumber, tiler, or electrician—these tradies have a wealth of experience in kitchens and are sure to be able to offer some design advice. More importantly, their input could save you thousands by working with existing plumbing or gas lines.

Choosing the wrong tapware

For any kitchen design to be a complete success, you need everything to be cohesive, including your choice of tapware. If you have chosen a traditional design, then look for tapware that is classic in design. Likewise, if you have chosen a modern design, then you should look for modern tapware.

A recent article titled ‘The Ultimate List of Tips for Choosing Tapware‘ should help in this department.

Conclusion

Renovating a kitchen is an exciting project for any homeowner. However, despite the temptation to immediately begin demolition, it is crucial to first establish a solid kitchen design. Failing to have a complete kitchen design or having a kitchen design riddled with errors will cause lots of problems during the renovation and could even result in a completed kitchen that you really don’t like.

To ensure you love your new kitchen, avoid making these kitchen design mistakes: not planning your kitchen design properly, forgetting the kitchen work triangle, not allowing for storage needs, not having enough bench space, and not taking measurements of appliances first. Also, forgetting about power points, not being creative enough with the design, forgetting about the rubbish bin, not asking for professional advice and choosing the wrong tapware are other mistakes to avoid.

For help designing your new kitchen, use our free 3D Kitchen Planner. It allows you to create your space and play around with the layout and cabinet options until you have created the perfect kitchen design. When you’re done, you can order all your kitchen cabinets from our store, and then the fun can start!