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The kitchen is one of the best places to showcase your style and creativity in terms of interior decor. From bespoke appliances to cabinets and more, a well-designed kitchen is the pride of any homeowner. However, there are some mistakes you might make in the design department which really diminish its beauty in the long run. This blog addresses 5 such mistakes and also offers some pragmatic solutions.
1. Focusing More On Resale Value
If you have any relevant experience in the real estate game, then you are well aware that resale value is extremely important when putting up your house for sale. To maintain or even increase its value, you might resort to many renovations to improve the property’s curb appeal. You may also fall into the trap of not customizing anything, as it is commonly believed to bring down a home’s resale value.
While it is partially true, the cost of not personalizing your kitchen space is far worse than turning away a few prospective buyers. As a homeowner, you will probably live there for at least a few years if not decades. Therefore, by not adding a little personal touch, you are robbing yourself of the opportunity to showcase your creative vision and flair.
How To Fix It
Focus more on smaller details like colours, backsplashes and lighting, instead of customizing basics such as flooring or cabinetry. For instance, you can opt for grey backsplash tiles in a white kitchen, creating a beautiful contrast. Or you can add some mood lighting over your kitchen island for a dramatic effect. The best part about changes like this is it is easy to remove or replace, thereby not impacting the home’s resale value.
2. Not Selecting The Right Material For Kitchen Wall Design
There are plenty of ways to design your kitchen wall, starting from glass and wood to metal and more. However, not every material is compatible with all kitchens. It is important to understand what you are going for before selecting a material for your kitchen walls. It also helps to select a material that is strong and durable, while being aesthetically pleasing at the same time.
Here is where homeowners make a mistake by opting for materials that are either too expensive, fragile or just a complete mismatch with their decor. For instance, opting for a steel wire mesh as wall decor to add a chic, industrial vibe to the kitchen. The problem is, steel tends to corrode over time, so this is a bad decision in the long run. Fortunately, there is an easy fix for this.
How To Fix It
Simply replace the steel mesh with a copper mesh and your job is done. Since the material is corrosion-resistant, it will look as good as new for a long time. Furthermore, its reddish hue adds a rustic touch to any setting, making it a fantastic style statement. Apart from using it as wall decor, you can go further and use copper mesh as cabinet doors to add extra charm to your kitchen.
3. Going After Wrong Cabinet Layout
When it comes to kitchen design, most homeowners think of revamping their existing kitchen cabinets. Bespoke cabinetry can add another level of functionality and aesthetics to your kitchen, and if done right using the correct materials, it is also an excellent long-term investment. Unfortunately, for the average homeowner who is no expert in interior decor, the results are far from satisfactory in real life.
Many botch the very first step, which is choosing the right cabinet layout. If the doors and drawers of your cabinet cause inconvenience while your move about the kitchen, no amount of style or opulence can help you. Without a proper layout, even the right materials can be the wrong choice. For instance, thermofoil cabinet doors are excellent in terms of durability and handling of water damage. But when placed on an incorrect layout, they are a waste of time and money.
How To Fix It
Always go for professionals when you are looking to customize your cabinetry. These professionals will have a better understanding of your overall kitchen layout. Therefore, they can suggest the best possible solutions according to your space. Hence, you will get stylish and functional cabinets without leaving any unused corners or dead spaces by choosing professional services.
4. Wrong Balance Of Colors And Patterns
Having the option to unleash your creativity in your very own kitchen space can be very a exciting prospect. After all, there are so many options to customize and showcase your design acumen. However, it is very easy to get carried away and go overboard, as many do with the colour palette of the kitchen.
It is easy to overdo colours and patterns and end up with a visual disaster. For instance, going all out with bold colours for walls and cabinets along with patterned flooring might seem like a great idea at the outset, but upon execution, it is evident that it is too visually distracting. On the opposite end, going for uniform, bland pastel colours without any contrast or highlight is also a mistake that should be avoided.
How To Fix It
The key to solving this problem is moderation. Striking a fine balance between patterns and colours can go a long way to make your kitchen look amazing. If you are going for bold patterns on the countertop or the backsplash, for instance, you can counteract this pattern with some calming neutral tones. Similarly, you can balance out neutral base colours with some bold highlights or accents to create an intriguing effect.
5. Underestimating Your Storage Needs
There is a popular belief held by many interior decorators: you can never have enough storage space. This is especially true for a kitchen, where storage needs are always changing. So it is best to err on the side of caution and have extra storage options in your kitchen.
Sadly, many proponents of minimalistic kitchen design tend to overlook this important factor, resulting in a cramped kitchen space which interferes with both functionality and aesthetics. Therefore, always opt for additional space in the form of pantries and open shelves if you are planning a kitchen from scratch. For those who are already short on space and are not too keen on doing a major revamp, there is an alternative.
How To Fix It
To capitalize on existing storage, go for lofts. They are easy to incorporate into the kitchen and can add stacks of space. You can store odd knick-knacks and rarely used items on the lofts, giving you plenty of room to neatly stock and organize your essentials. Apart from lofts, a clutter-free countertop also gives the illusion of additional storage, a godsend for compact kitchens. Keep your countertops clear and store all utensils and appliances in your cabinets.
Conclusion
Overall, these are the 5 major kitchen design disasters you should look to avoid if you want a beautiful, fully functional kitchen. That being said, if you are already facing any of these issues, then their simple fixes should be enough to restore the elegance of your kitchen. It is also important to remember that interior decor is a constantly changing field. What’s in vogue today might be considered distasteful after a few years, so try to keep an eye on the trends and go for styles with more timeless appeal for the best results.
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