Your bespoke kitchen should combine beautiful design elements and practical functionality. Getting it wrong can be supremely frustrating, which is why you should observe the rules of good kitchen planning to avoid making some basic kitchen design mistakes.

Forgetting the golden triangle

Central to the design of your bespoke kitchen is the work triangle. The right balance between the positioning of the stove, sink and refrigerator is fundamental to achieving good workflow. Each side of the triangle should measure between 4 and 9 feet and the sum of the sides of the triangle should not be greater than 26 feet. This allows you to cook, clean and store efficiently and move seamlessly around the space.

Creating poor workflow

While the triangle should be at the heart of your design, another mistake is to allow insufficient space for good workflow. Interrupting the flow means that your kitchen extension can feel cramped and ineffective. Think carefully about the way you use your kitchen. Is it the entertainment hub of your home? Are you a keen cook? Does your kitchen have storage issues? Take some time to understand the functionality you expect from your new kitchen. That way you’ll get the best out of the space.

Failing to fully utilise the space

Your design may work for flow and functionality on the horizontal plane, but failing to maximise vertical space can be a mistake if your floor space is tight. Cabinets that run to full ceiling height combine style and functionality, providing valuable storage. Avoid creating a dysfunctional design by utilising every inch of wall space with a mix of closed cabinets and open shelving that adds plenty of visual interest to the space.

Not getting the lighting right

Lighting is tremendously important to good design in every room. But in the kitchen, the need for effective lighting has an even greater impact. Your design should combine task lighting with an overall wash of background lighting for greater visibility. Pendant lights over an island worktop combined with under cabinet and recessed lighting can create a stunning ambient effect while providing plenty of visibility for everyday kitchen tasks.

Failing to see the bigger picture

When you’re planning your new kitchen, you’ll need to consider every element of the design and how it all ties together. If you want to avoid one of the biggest design mistakes, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Consider carefully how every element including your colour palette, flooring choices, lighting and cabinet hardware work together to create your desired aesthetic.

Your kitchen furniture is at the heart of your scheme and should be the inspiration from which the rest of the design flows. Our choice of English Modern Classic and Italian Contemporary kitchens combine impeccable craftsmanship and the highest quality materials for a kitchen that is as effortlessly beautiful as it is functional.