8 Mistakes in Kitchen Design You Can Avoid Now

A poorly designed space can bring a lot of inconvenience during its further use—especially when it comes to the kitchen.

Designer Ilya Gulyants revealed the most popular mistakes in kitchen design and gave tips on how to avoid them.

1. Countertop of the Wrong Height

Countertops should be chosen with reference to the height of all family members. Standard models that do not fit properly can cause back pain due to overexertion.

Design: Anastasia Zarquai

2. Incorrectly Placed Work Triangle

The refrigerator, cooktop, and sink should be arranged so that homeowners can move around the kitchen conveniently.

Design: Elena Titova

3. Poor Lighting

Dimmers and adjustable color temperature lights allow for smart changes in kitchen lighting. For cooking, you can set bright or cool light, while for evening tea time—dim or warm.

Design: Evgenia Popova

4. Marble Countertop

Natural marble allows pollutants to penetrate easily because of its porous structure. This can cause problems in removing stains even with chemical cleaners. Therefore, granite countertops are a better choice.

Design: Anna Nasonova

5. Sink in the Corner of the Kitchen

A sink placed in a kitchen corner is not very comfortable for daily use, as it complicates access to the trash and sink. It should be positioned according to the work triangle: refrigerator-sink-stove.

Design: Tatiana Petrova

6. Not Enough Space for Work Zone

The work zone should not be cramped—it not only makes cooking difficult but also puts you in a tight spot when placing appliances and furniture.

Design: Didus Design

7. Too Many Cabinets

One of the most common mistakes in kitchen planning is having too many cabinets. To ensure most of them are not left empty or filled with unnecessary items, it's important to plan the layout and type of furniture in advance.

Eliminating upper cabinets visually lightens the space and adds airiness. A pull-out drawer in the lower cabinet is a good place to store groceries or a dish rack.

Design: Irina Viktorova

8. Unnecessary Bar Counter

If there's already a dining table in the kitchen, a bar counter doesn’t belong there. Instead, consider placing an island with appliances or a sink that can also serve as a work zone.

Design: Evgenia Popova

Photo on cover: Designer Julia Vlasova