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 ready for daily use and not 'kill' it in the coming years.

Choose the 'right' finishing materials

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

Aside from tiles, according to the expert, a good option for flooring is a poured floor: "It's long-lasting and resistant to any impact."

Another durable surface option is linoleum. It has a fairly long service life and is convenient to use.Design: Ivan Pоздняков

Pay attention to tile joints

Improperly chosen grout can quickly lose its appearance and require replacement. If the material and builder skills allow, you can choose a seamless tiling method or opt for minimal joint width.

Designer Tatyana Bezhertaya advises: "Before starting the work, always read the instructions on the package, as different mixes are suitable for floor, wall, cabinet or interior surface finishing, including special mortars for baths or specific tile types."

An important point to consider at the design stage is the correct grout color matching tiles.

When laying light-colored tiles on the hood or floor, you can choose a contrasting dark or accent color grout: this is an effective design technique and easier to maintain than white grout.

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

Decide on cabinet fronts

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

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

People often fear white cabinet fronts: they think even a drop or streak is visible. However, stains on dark cabinets are just as noticeable (if not more so).

Designer Alena Timofeeva believes that white cabinet fronts are preferred:

White cabinet color is the most practical: all stains are immediately visible, and nothing dries or "resurfaces" later. Photo: Stadshem

Decorate the hood practically

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

As an alternative, consider a glass hood. Besides aesthetic qualities, it has many other advantages: eco-friendliness, easy installation and removal, and no joints.Photo: Instagram @casavoguebrasil

"There are many material options for decorating the hood area: tiles, mosaic, glass, mirrors, sheet or thin natural stone, marble and much more. An original and affordable solution can be wallpaper covered with clear or colored glass," shares designer Zhenya Zhedanova.

If you don't like hoods, you can protect the space near the sink and cooktop from oil and water droplets 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;
• countertops made of porcelain or ceramic tiles;
• solid, strong, expensive wood types.

Designer Zhenya Zhedanova prefers to use quartz for countertops:

My favorite material for countertops. It's resistant to mechanical damage and doesn't absorb liquids. You can spill red wine on it, and it won't soak in. A stain can be wiped off with a damp cloth.

"Quartz also has many finishing options. You can easily find a color and pattern that harmonizes with your kitchen cabinet fronts.

Perhaps the only drawback of quartz is that it comes in sheets 1.5x3 meters, and if your kitchen is longer, you'll need to join different pieces, which makes a visible seam. In this case, consider artificial stone that can be joined almost seamlessly thanks to the baking technology," advises the designer.

Think about the range hood

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

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

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

"Daily food preparation requires at least as frequent cleaning in the kitchen. If you don't address grease on 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 suffice? We have a couple of life hacks for you:

• when planning the cabinet, place 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 soft-close hinges, mechanisms for smooth closing;
• 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;
• ensure quick access to hot plate holders, if your countertop is not designed to handle hot pans.

Take care of internal aesthetics

Even the most organized housewife's internal cabinet parts will get dirty and scratched. How to avoid this:

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

Avoid water stains

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

• determine the hardness of your water: you may need additional filtration or a water softening system;
• choose cleaning products based on materials and water quality;
• install taps with coatings that don't show water stains;
• buy special products that prevent water stains, fingerprints and more.

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

Faucets and mixers should only be cleaned with special cleaning products suitable for these materials. Otherwise, there's a risk of damage. Regular care will extend the life of plumbing and filters.Design: Ekaterina Urazova

Care for surfaces

Glossy surfaces and chrome with stainless steel often get scratched – how to prevent this?

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

There are cases where workers still manage to damage the kitchen cabinet during renovation, not carefully wiping off dirt and construction dust.

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

The most sensitive to construction dust elements of the setup are installed last, the expert notes:

Usually all taps 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 purchased furniture and appliances don't fit or are defective. To avoid losing warranty cards, receipts and to return anything substandard immediately, it's important to organize the storage of documents and important papers in advance.

This sorting will help you find the right receipt, invoice and resolve issues with the supplier quickly.

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