1. Ignoring the working triangle

The working triangle is the journey between the cooking zone (appliances such as the hob or oven), cleaning zone (cleaning storage or tap) and consumables zone (pantry, fridge or freezer). As this is the most frequently used path, it’s important to optimise this triangle for your kitchen space to provide yourself with the most efficient kitchen layout and there is a simple formula to use for this: The sum of the working triangle’s three points should not exceed 7m and each leg should measure between 1m – 2.5m.

From the outset, it’s also good to think of any other uses for your kitchen, such as a part-time office, a family space, an entertainment area or anything else you want it to be and make sure you include these thoughts in the planning stages to ensure maximum convenience and functionality.

2. Leaving lighting until last

More often than not, lighting can be an after-thought when it comes to kitchen design, but as one of the most hard-working design elements of the kitchen, it’s important to have a good lighting plan at the beginning of the design process.

With kitchens becoming more multifunctional, considering lighting at the inception of the kitchen process ensures practical illumination and helps achieve the desired atmosphere for different occasions. For example, you would need target lighting for food preparation but when celebrating a birthday or anniversary you might prefer a more atmospheric glow.

In addition, some finishes can look different in a particular light setting, so a lighting plan could also help you choose your worktops, handles, cabinet and drawer finishes.

Built-in Bin

3. Waste-ing space

Arguably one of the least glamourous aspects of designing your kitchen is talking about waste, and therefore it’s very easy to forget about it until you end up with two big bins – one for refuge and one for recycling. These can get in the way of an otherwise perfectly streamlined kitchen.

So, instead of a last-minute trip to the local supermarket for a new bin, consider ‘where will we put the bin?’ in the planning stages. Integrated or built-in waste solutions that keep rubbish behind closed doors with multiple compartments are the perfect solution for separating waste as well as maintaining a seamless look on the outside. Worktop or swing-out bins are also a great alternative for smaller living spaces.

4. Lack of storage

When it comes to planning the kitchen design, a lot of people miss out on taking storage space into consideration. Kitchens are one of the most multi-functional areas of the home; therefore, increasing the importance of having enough storage space, and not just for appliances and utensils.

Make sure to optimise the use of your kitchen cupboard space to reduce the clutter on worktops. If you don’t have much floor space, try to maximise the vertical space. Furniture products like pull-out larder units offer clever storage solutions, even in small spaces, and help you keep your items organised behind closed doors, other space savvy solutions such as swing out corner units and drawer organisers help to keep your goods organised while allowing for easy access to products without the need for stretching and reaching.

5. Not getting professional help

It is good to do things on your own and some people are very enthused with the idea of DIY. But time and experience tend to be the hinderance in most cases. Professionals like Kitchen Studios and designers guarantee you peace of mind, save you the time and effort for all the leg work, and most importantly, offer you years of experience, skills and expertise. They know how to maximise design elements to make your kitchen functional, efficient, and designed to suit your style.