11 Kitchen Design Mistakes Designers Say Can Make Your Space Feel Off
These common missteps make the kitchen less functional.
The kitchen works harder than almost any room in the house. From rushed weekday breakfasts to meaningful holiday gatherings, the kitchen truly does it all. That’s why pros say it’s important that this space is not only functional, but personal. We tapped experts to learn more about the kitchen mistakes designers want you to avoid, from skimping on storage space to letting countertop clutter pile up.
Before making any major kitchen design decisions, it’s important to think about how your household actually functions and what you need from this space. For instance, if you don’t want to spend hours each month scrubbing at grout lines, it’s best to skip the tiled countertops. If you love hosting large gatherings, making sure you have enough cabinet or drawer space for all the plates, glasses, and serving trays is essential. And if you plan to do lots of chopping, slicing, grating, and other prep tasks, you’ll want to ensure your kitchen has bright task lighting in addition to ambient lighting.
Keep reading to learn more about the kitchen mistakes that make pros cringe. For more kitchen design insights, read up on the kitchen trends designers are loving and the most functional kitchen layout features.
Keeping the refrigerator exposed.
"I recommend always having the refrigerator enclosed on each side. When the actual fridge is exposed, the kitchen looks unfinished. It is best to do this by having your cabinetmaker install an end panel in the same finish as your cabinets." — Julie Hawkins, Hawkins Interiors
Choosing the wrong paint finish.
"Using the wrong paint finish on walls can be problematic. While many people like the appearance of flat or matte paint, it's not ideal for kitchen areas. An eggshell or satin finish is a better choice for easy spot cleaning." — Theresa Butler, Theresa Butler Interiors
RELATED: The Best Interior Paints
Settling for insufficient storage.
"When designing a kitchen, do not skimp on storage space. Study the items you have or want to have and map out drawer and cabinet spaces so you will have the perfect places to store everything." — Liz Williams, Liz Williams Interiors
Not making your kitchen yours.
“Don't copy what you see on Instagram and social media. Take field trips to stone yards and get a feel for the slab that calls your name. Stone yards offer a beautiful peek into Mother Nature's creations! Take photos and videos of your favorites. Visit a tile shop and look for tile that looks like it was made from an element in that slab. If you start coordinating materials in this way, soon you'll build a story around a design that speaks to your heart, and that's where the magic happens." — Lindsay Lucas, Lindsay Laine Interiors
Only focusing on decorative lighting.
The right lighting is crucial for a functional kitchen setup. "Decorative lighting has become very popular in kitchens, but a kitchen is a task area, and a lot of decorative lights do not produce enough light for a task as much as ambiance." — Caren Rideau, Kitchen Design Group
RELATED: Kitchen Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Space in Style
Living with a cluttered kitchen counter.
"A cluttered kitchen countertop makes the mind 'hungry' to see less, so start the decluttering process in the early stages of kitchen design planning. For example, consider having the cabinet designer add a couple of charging or docking drawers to neatly store while conveniently charging them. You should also become more aware of your bad habits around the kitchen area, so you can move away from the mentality of 'the kitchen countertop is convenient for everything.'" — Georgie Hay, Meridith Baer Home
Choosing tiled countertops.
"Trends tend to come back around, so while it’s not surprising that the tiled kitchen countertop trend from the 1970s and 1980s is making a resurgence, it’s definitely disappointing. Tiled countertops are so impractical — they’re more difficult to maintain and nearly impossible to keep clean. Especially the grout lines!" — Molly Torres Portnof, DATE Interiors
Overlooking the gap above kitchen cabinets.
"Though some ceilings are taller than others, the standard ceiling height is 8'-0". Many homes are of a standard height, therefore when you have upper cabinets in a kitchen, it's best to not have a gap between the ceiling and the cabinetry. It drives me crazy, as it will just collect dust bunnies and other creatures up there. It's best to close off that gap with either a nice molding or flush filler." — Linda Hayslett, LH.Designs
Hanging dinky pendant lights.
"Avoid pendants that are too small for your island size. Nothing screams builder-grade more than light fixtures that are inappropriately sized. I'd always rather see two larger pendants instead of three smaller ones, if you're tight on space." — Jeanne Barber, Camden Grace Interiors
Incorporating too much color.
"I like a kitchen in a soft, singular color palette. Since the kitchen usually sees the most activity in a home, it will also likely see the most clutter. Think about kids homework on the kitchen table or island, art projects hung on the refrigerator, calendars, mail, magazines, purses and backpacks hanging on backs of chairs. A kitchen with a soft color palette will absorb these items better and won’t look so confusing and messy." — Tara Felice Engelberg, Tara Felice Interiors
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Readers Also Read
14 Decorating Mistakes Designers See All the Time
The Top Kitchen Design Trends for 2026
Designers Love These Timeless Paint Colors
27 Top Kitchen Paint Colors Over the Years
