Your kitchen is where the action is. That is the area of ​​your home that is likely to have the most foot traffic. It is also the room that potential home buyers gravitate towards. They want to see a clean, spacious and well-designed space that optimizes function and form.

Designing your kitchen is not an easy task. Fortunately, sticking to the basics minimizes the chances of making serious and regrettable mistakes. Below, we’ll cover 5 of the most common design mistakes so you know what to avoid.

Error n. # 1: disregard storage space

Storage is more important than it sounds during the design phase. Most people reserve ample space to store items, but eventually end up needing more. Kitchen utensils, containers, and appliances quickly use up available space.

Make sure you have enough storage space. Make sure there is room for pots, pans, plates, and other items. Like most homeowners, you will likely run out of space at some point in the future. Maximizing storage capacity beforehand will help delay that problem.

Error n. # 2: not planning the flow of traffic

Your kitchen should be designed for optimal efficiency. Part of that equation involves recognizing how people will travel through it. Another part involves making sure they don’t cause clogs or hinder meal preparation.

Traffic flow will be determined, in part, by design. Is the room L, U-shaped, or open? Ideally, the traffic lanes should completely surround the work triangle. The triangle represents an area that connects the refrigerator, stove, and sink. That’s where most of the work is done.

Mistake # 3: Placing Too Many Appliances Close To Each Other

The space at their work tables is limited. There is not enough space to keep all your appliances in sight. Doing so would make it seem crowded and cluttered.

Decide which appliances to leave outdoors and which to store when not in use. Base your decisions on how often you use them. For example, do you use your blender every morning, but only use your electric can opener once a week? If so, keep the latter in a closet. It will save space on your desks and give the space a cleaner, more organized look.

Error n. # 4: neglect the plan for lighting needs

Lighting serves several purposes in your kitchen. Provides lighting; shows key characteristics; and influences the mood and atmosphere. It is important to design the space with a sound lighting plan in mind.

Work lighting should be used to illuminate work tables and areas where food is prepared. Mood lighting should be used to make the environment warm and welcoming. Accent lighting can be used to highlight decorative plates or other unique features.

Layering the room with different types of lighting creates a workspace that doubles as a place to relax with friends and loved ones.

Error n. 5: let design overshadow function

As important as design in the kitchen, function is doubly so. After all, space has a practical purpose. It is where food is prepared and family members congregate.

Unfortunately, many owners allow form to overshadow function. They focus so intensely on the look of their cabinets and the style of their backsplash that they forget to consider whether the space is designed for efficiency.

The work triangle was mentioned earlier. It offers a useful guide when it comes to design. Each point on the triangle represents the location of the sink, refrigerator, and stove. As a general rule of thumb, each leg should be between 4 and 9 feet long. In addition, the triangle must remain unaltered by the flow of traffic.

Designing a kitchen that is both efficient and pleasing to the eye can be challenging. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the most common mistakes owners make. That will only help you create a kitchen that is as attractive as it is functional.