How Not to Ruin Your New Kitchen: 11 Pro Tips

After a major kitchen renovation, nobody wants to face the need to redo everything soon. We decided to find out with experts how to decorate a kitchen that is ready for daily use and won't be 'killed' in the coming years.

Choose the 'right' finishing materials

Among the most durable materials for the kitchen, designer Tatyana Bezverkhiya highlights tiles: "One of the ‘indestructible’ materials. An excellent choice in terms of durability and strength." Tiles made of ceramic, ceramic granite or natural stone can be used to finish the floor and walls (hood).

Aside from tiles, according to the expert, a suitable floor covering is self-leveling floor: "It is long-lasting and resistant to any impacts."

Another durable type of coating is linoleum. It has a fairly long service life and is convenient to use.Design: Ivan Pozdnakov

Pay attention to tile joints

Inappropriate grout can quickly lose its appearance and require renewal. If the material and builders' skills allow, you can choose a seamless laying method or stop at minimal joint width.

Designer Tatyana Bezverkhiya advises: "Before starting work, always read the instructions on the package, as different mixes are suitable for floor, wall, cabinet door or interior surface finishing, including special mortars for bathtubs or a particular type of tile."

One important point to consider during the design project stage is the proper color of grout for tiles.

When laying light tiles on the hood or floor, you can choose a contrasting dark or accent color grout: this is an up-to-date design trick, and it’s easier to maintain than white grout.

If you prefer a light color palette, choose grout that is one shade darker than the tiles: this will enhance practicality and highlight the chosen layout.

Photo: Bjurfors

Decide on cabinet doors

Many experts and apartment owners agree that matte surfaces are more practical and easier to maintain.

However, designer Alena Timofeeva is confident that you no longer need to fear glossy cabinet doors: "Modern materials have given us glossy cabinet doors that don't retain fingerprints. There are also satin and matte surfaces, which are for those who love perfect cleanliness. These surfaces require no special care."

Photo: Instagram @cristinajorgedecarvalho

People often fear white cabinet doors: they think any drop or streak will be visible. However, dirt on dark cabinets is just as noticeable (or even more so).

Designer Alena Timofeeva believes white cabinet doors should be preferred:

White cabinet color is the most practical: all stains are immediately visible, and nothing will dry out or “resurface” later. Photo: Stadshem

Decorate the hood practically

The most common material for hood finishing is ceramic tiles. Designer Tatyana Bezverkhiya insists this is a practical choice. "Despite it being the most traditional approach, it remains trendy. Tiles are not afraid of water or fire and hardly wear out."

As an alternative, you can consider a glass hood. Besides its aesthetic qualities, it has many other advantages: eco-friendliness, ease of installation and dismantling, and no joints.Photo: Instagram @casavoguebrasil

"There are many options for materials that can be used to decorate the hood zone: tiles, mosaic, glass, mirrors, sheet ceramic granite and thin marble, and much more. An original and inexpensive solution can be wallpaper covered with transparent or colored glass," shares designer Zhenya Zhudanova’s opinion.

If you don't like hoods, you can protect the area around the sink and cooktop from oil and water drips using special metal panels offered by some kitchen range manufacturers. Photo: Instagram @zhenya_zhdanova

Choose practical material for the countertop

The most practical materials:

• natural and artificial stone;
• countertop made of ceramic granite or ceramic tiles;
• hard, durable, expensive wood species.

Designer Zhenya Zhudanova prefers using quartz for countertops:

My favorite material for countertops. It is resistant to mechanical damage and does not absorb liquids. You can spill red wine on it, and it won't soak in. A stain can be removed with a regular damp cloth.

"Quartz also has many finishing options. You can easily find a color and pattern that harmoniously complements the cabinet doors of your kitchen cabinets.

Perhaps the only downside of quartz is that it comes in sheets measuring 1.5 x 3 meters, and if your kitchen is longer, you'll have to join different pieces, and the seam will be visible. In this case, pay attention to artificial stone that can be joined almost seamlessly thanks to the baking technology," the designer advises.

Photo: Instagram @zhenya_zhdanova

Think about the range hood

If you're still unsure whether you need a range hood, our answer is: yes! The more powerful, the better.

According to designer Natalia Tarasевич, having a range hood is mandatory. Especially in apartments where the kitchen connects to the dining room or living room.

A range hood in the kitchen is necessary. It solves several tasks: removing odors, combustion products, vapors and other harmful substances that form during cooking on the stove or in the oven, as well as purifying the air.

"Daily cooking requires at least as frequent cleaning of the kitchen. If you don't fight with grease on the kitchen furniture in time, it will be harder to remove later," warns the designer.

Do you cook so often that even the most modern and powerful range hood won't help? We have a couple of life hacks for you:

• when planning the cabinet set, position upper cabinets as high and far from the cooktop as possible;
• use special splash guards during cooking.

Protect the kitchen from household damage

It's not always possible to use the kitchen carefully: sometimes we're in a hurry, drop items, slam cabinet doors. To avoid household damage to the furniture, we recommend:

• install dampers on cabinet doors and drawers, smooth closing mechanisms;
• combine open and closed storage (to have quick access to frequently used items);
• choose countertops and sinks from materials that are not afraid of household mechanical impacts;
• provide quick access to hot plate holders, if your countertop is not ready to meet a heated pan.

Photo: Nordiska Kök

Take care of internal aesthetics

Even in the case of a very tidy housewife, the inner parts of the cabinets will get dirty and scratched. How to avoid this:

• use special protective mats;
• use storage accessories (shelf inserts, rails, magnetic strips, special knife holders).

Photo: IKEA

Avoid streaks

Faucets, filtered water taps and other kitchen fixtures can get stained from water streaks. To avoid this:

• determine the hardness of your water: you may need additional filtration or a softening system;
• choose cleaning products based on materials and water quality;
• install faucets with coatings that do not show streaks;
• buy special products to prevent streaks, fingerprints and more.

Designer Natalia Tarasевич also advises carefully choosing household chemicals: most surfaces are not suitable for aggressive cleaners with abrasive particles.

Faucets for filters and mixers should only be cleaned with special products suitable for maintaining these materials. Otherwise, there's a risk of damaging them. Regular maintenance will help extend the life of plumbing and filters.

Design: Ekaterina Urazova

Take care of surfaces

Glossy surfaces and chrome with stainless steel often get scratched - how to avoid this?

• Choose cleaning products that match the material.
• Avoid aggressive chemicals with abrasive particles.
• Use soft fabrics and sponges for delicate surfaces.

There are cases where workers, even during the renovation stage, manage to damage the kitchen cabinet by carelessly wiping away dirt and construction dust.

Natalia Tarasевич believes such situations are the responsibility of the crew: "Professional and reliable construction crews are responsible for everything that happens during renovation, and they should replace anything damaged."

Photo: cocolapinedesign.com

The most sensitive to construction dust elements of the interior are installed last, the expert explains:

Usually all mixers and sinks made of stainless steel are installed at the final stage of construction and renovation work, when there is no dust or construction waste. Be prepared

Sometimes the purchased furniture and appliances don't fit or disappoint with defects. To avoid losing warranty cards, receipts and immediately return anything of poor quality, it's important to organize document storage in advance.

This sorting will allow you to find the right receipt, invoice and solve the issue with the supplier quickly.

Designer Tatyana Bezverkhiya advises: "Before starting to implement the project, I recommend creating a separate folder (on the computer and on the shelf, i.e. physical) for purchases, where you can collect all documents. Sort by main blocks: doors, windows, decor, furniture, equipment and appliances, finishing materials, lighting and electricity."