6 Common Kitchen Design Mistakes, and How to Avoid Them

A new kitchen is one of the biggest investments you will ever make in your home. It is exciting, it is emotional, and it often involves phrases like “we will definitely use that” uttered with great confidence.

Fast forward a year, and suddenly you are side eyeing a cupboard that never opens properly or wondering why on earth the bin is so far away from the sink.

This is exactly where a good kitchen designer earns their keep.

Having designed hundreds of kitchens, we have seen every mistake, misstep and “if only we had thought of that” moment imaginable. The role of a kitchen designer is not just to create something beautiful, but to make sure you do not end up regretting it once real life moves back in.

Below are the most common kitchen design mistakes homeowners share with us, and more importantly, how the right planning and guidance help you avoid them entirely.

This is the big one.

Many kitchens are designed primarily around their appearance, rather than their functionality. The result is a space that photographs beautifully but feels awkward on a Tuesday night when you are cooking pasta, helping with homework and trying not to burn the garlic bread.

Common regret: “The kitchen looks amazing, but it just does not flow.”

How to avoid it: Before choosing colours or door styles, think about your daily routines.

Who cooks most often? Do you cook together? Do you entertain? Do you need space for children or pets under your feet?

A good kitchen design starts with questions, not catalogues.

You can never have too much storage, but you can absolutely have badly planned storage. 
Cupboards that are too deep, corner units you dread opening, or drawers that do not suit what you actually own all lead to frustration.

Common regret:
“We ran out of space almost immediately.”

How to avoid it:
Plan storage around real items, not imaginary ones. Pans, small appliances, recycling, food shops, cleaning bits, that awkward vase you refuse to get rid of.

Deep drawers, internal organisers and sensible corner solutions make a world of difference, and keep worktops blissfully clear.

Lighting is often an afterthought, right up until someone realises they are chopping onions in their own shadow.

One central ceiling light is not enough, no matter how optimistic it feels at the start.

Common regret:
“It is much darker than we expected.”

How to avoid it:
Layer your lighting. Task lighting under wall units, ambient lighting for the evenings, and feature lighting if you want a bit of drama.

Good lighting makes even a modest kitchen feel expensive, and a fancy kitchen feel usable.

We all love a trend. Until we have to clean it.

High gloss shows fingerprints, handleless needs regular wiping, and open shelving requires a commitment to tidiness that not everyone signed up for.

Common regret:
“It looked great in the showroom, but living with it is another story.”

How to avoid it:
Be honest about how you live. If you hate cleaning, choose forgiving finishes. If clutter happens, minimise open shelving.

A timeless kitchen that works will always beat a trendy one that annoys you.

Sockets placed in odd locations, not enough plugs, or last-minute changes to plumbing can all lead to compromises later.

Common regret:
“I wish we had added more sockets.”

How to avoid it:
Plan electrics and plumbing alongside the layout, not after it. Think about where you charge phones, use small appliances, or want lighting and power in islands or pantries.

You will never regret an extra socket, ever.

Everyone has a budget, and that is absolutely fine. The regret comes when savings are made on things that affect daily use, while money is spent on features that do not.

Common regret:
“We wish we had upgraded the drawers instead of the splashback.”

How to avoid it:
Invest in the things you touch every day, drawers, hinges, internal storage, worktops. These affect how the kitchen feels long after the novelty wears off.

There are always smart ways to balance budget without compromising on function.

Most kitchen design regrets come down to one thing, not planning for real life.

A well-designed kitchen should support how you live, not dictate it. With the right questions, thoughtful planning and a bit of honest self-assessment, you can avoid the common pitfalls and end up with a kitchen you love using every single day.

And if in doubt, always choose the extra drawer.

Want some guidance? Speak to our team, we’d love to help.