When it comes to designing a kitchen, people usually make two mistakes: they either keep things too minimal or they don’t know when to stop. The first usually results in a kitchen that although has all the necessary appliances and furniture looks entirely sterile and stripped of any personality. The latter, however, can easily turn into both physical and mental clutter, can become quite impractical and too complicated and overwhelming to function.
That’s why we’ve decided to put together a list of some of the most common do’s and don’ts when it comes to kitchen design. Of course, keep in mind that your kitchen is your personal haven and the décor should reflect your personality. So, don’t follow these tips to a T but use them to get inspired.
Do go for a somewhat minimalistic approach
The kitchen is the space where you’ll be handling sharp objects, hot substances and heavy dishes. That’s why you should ensure that you have enough space to manage all of those things safely. So, instead over-cluttering your kitchen, you should go for a more minimalistic approach. What this means is that you should keep the majority of your décor on your walls instead of work surfaces. On top of that, make sure you choose the statement piece of your décor carefully. An oversized art piece or a beautiful animal skull decor can work great in such a space. So, keep your counters clutter-free and rely on a statement piece of wall décor to truly give personality to your kitchen.
Don’t go for a design that doesn’t work for your space
Next, the design of your kitchen needs to be coherent with the layout of the space. What this means is that even though you may absolutely love the idea of having a kitchen island, if there’s no room for it, you should let that idea go. Instead, see how much space you have at your disposal and what’s the best way to arrange cabinets and appliances accordingly. Also, keep in mind the kitchen triangle – fridge, stove, sink – when considering the layout and find the best way to achieve this balance in your kitchen.
Do consider upgrades rather than changes
Moreover, when looking to change your kitchen design, you must first determine which parts you are currently dissatisfied with. That’s the easiest way to determine which parts actually need to be worked on. From there, you need to decide how you want to approach the task. For instance, if your kitchen cabinets are the problem, see whether you can simply upgrade them or do you need to replace them altogether. Ideally, you should always try to upgrade and upcycle whenever possible. This way not only will the entire project be more affordable but it will also be significantly eco-friendlier.
Don’t blindly follow trends
As you already know, trends come and go. Some of them don’t even stick around long enough to become “the thing”. That’s why it’s never a good idea to choose a design simply because it’s currently trendy. Instead, focus on creating something you’ll actually love even if it happens to go out of style. Since you’re designing and decorating a kitchen you’ll be living in – and not something for the latest cover of a design magazine – you should follow your own instincts and preferences.
Do choose practicality
In the end, as we’ve already mentioned, the kitchen can be quite a dangerous place if not designed correctly. That’s why practicality and usability of the space need to be your primary concerns. For instance, if you like the idea of having an area rug on your kitchen floor, make sure that it’s tightly secured to the floor to prevent any trips or falls and similar accidents that could come out of such a situation. Moreover, if you have small children, make sure that all the utility drawers are tightly secured.
These are just some of the most important things to keep in mind when decorating your kitchen. Remember to express your style but keep things practical and
This is a contributed post
