8 Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Kitchen – Part I

One of the most important areas of a home is the kitchen. It is the room that has to be designed in a manner that will benefit the user. It should have enough space to work, and to store items. The user should be able to move freely around the kitchen without any hindrance. She/he should be able to easily perform the cutting, cooking and washing processes.

When it comes to residential or commercial buildings, it is essential that this area is planned well before construction. Otherwise, it can cause a lot of problems to the user, and the builder will probably receive a lot of criticism.

Kitchen Design

Kitchen Construction – Don’t Perform these Errors!

There are a few mistakes that can be made if the builder is not careful. It is important to keep the following points in mind when designing a kitchen:

1.      Hindering Kitchen Appliances: The most important items in a kitchen are the cook top and refrigerator. Most activities in the kitchen require the use of these two items. Hence, it is important that they are not obstructed in any way.

a.      Ensure that the refrigerator is as close to the cook top and kitchen counter as possible. Ensure that the door can be easily opened and closed. This will also help when you need to defrost the refrigerator.

b.      The cook top should not be surrounded by containers. Unless you have few or no overhead cupboards, ensure that the containers you use on a daily basis (coffee, sugar, salt, etc.) are stored elsewhere. Do not keep plastic containers close to the cook top. Continual exposure to heat can degrade the plastic, causing unhealthy fumes or damaging the contents within.

2.      Complicated Sink & Plumbing Design: The sink needs to be installed as close to the counter and plumbing as possible. Also, the sink should be large, deep, and wide enough to accommodate multiple cutlery items and vessels. The plumbing should be straightforward, and easy to remove and repair.

3.      Ineffective Storage Space: This is one huge error that designers make. They may design the kitchen beautifully, but the storage cupboards are not close to the counter, or too high, or too low. Ensure that you use modular kitchen racks to optimize on space. The storage compartments should not hinder any of the appliances or sink. Use glass minimally in cupboards, as broken glass can lead to accidents. If the kitchen has a sliding window with an external grill, the grill can also be used to store large pots, pans, or miscellaneous items. 

4.      Less Counter-top Space: There are three points to keep in mind when designing the counter-top – the cook top, basic storage, and open space for working. Many housewives prefer to keep plate racks next to the sink. Ensure that there is enough space for this item. Ensure that the counter is of medium height, so that users of different heights will be able to use it appropriately.

These are the first four mistakes to avoid when designing a kitchen. In the next post, we will be discussing lighting, ventilation, back-splash tiles, and waste management.