DIYing anything is always challenging. And with such a complex task like kitchen interior decor, replete with several complicated processes that you must get spot on to arrive at the perfect result, you have your job cut out for you. No worries, though. Yes, DIY kitchen design isn’t a walk in the park. But then, it isn’t rocket science either. Knowing a few basic rules of interior design will get you started. And you can get a perfect result that will rival an expert’s by knowing what to do and avoid.
Indeed, many DIY kitchen designs are imperfect because of avoidable mistakes. If you’re looking to redesign your kitchen yourself soon, below are some of the most common mistakes to avoid for the perfect result.
1. Resist The Urge To Jump on Trends BlindlyÂ
So you saw this beautiful style at a friend’s place and thought it would be great to have something similar. Perhaps the design is the rave of the moment in the kitchen interior space. And the temptation to adopt this style is strong.Â
Beware! Have a rethink. Trends are what they are: fickle and fleeting. That trendy style at your friend’s place would probably be out of fashion in a few months. Instead, put your innovative intuition to use. Hatch out a classic design that blends evergreen kitchen interior ideas with trendy features you like in your friend’s place.
2. An Oversized Island May Not Be Necessary
A kitchen island provides more countertop space to carry out your kitchen chores. The space below can also serve storage purposes. One mistake that isn’t uncommon among kitchen DIYers is the exaggeration of the kitchen island. Perhaps, owing to the need for ample storage space, some are tempted to amplify its importance.Â
The result is a larger-than-needed island that takes up a considerable chunk of the kitchen space and prevents free movement. As a DIYer, one basic rule to follow when deciding on the size of your kitchen island is that there should be a minimum of 1m around the island.
3. There’s No Standard Countertop Height
Okay, what is the standard countertop height? A meter? Perhaps slightly higher? Well, most countertops are about a meter high. But the truth is that there’s no fixed countertop height.
Consider your comfort and ergonomic needs when deciding on the height of your countertop. Pick a height that allows you to work without straining your posture. If you’re in the upper range of the height spectrum, feel free to make the countertop higher.
4. Avoid Locating The Points of Your Work Triangle Too Close Together
Yes, you’ll constantly have to keep moving from one point to another within your work triangle while performing kitchen duties. Nevertheless, avoid being tempted to bring these points too close to one another.Â
When plotting the layout for your kitchen, keep your stove at a considerable distance from the sink. Similarly, the refrigerator should be located away from these two points so that it does not restrict free movement to other parts of the kitchen.
5. Your Range Cooker Shouldn’t Be Lower Than The Countertop Height
It follows common sense that your stovetop should either be at the same level or be higher than your countertop. The rationale isn’t farfetched. If the range cooker or stove is below the countertop, there’s a possibility that the heat will destroy the counter. Even worse, the stove burning the countertop could put you at risk of a fire outbreak.Â
Therefore, when making purchases, get a stove that is as high as, or higher than, your countertop. Where this is impossible, get a platform to place the stove on so that its surface is at the same level as the countertop.
@theinspiredkitch, Abigail Kilgore
6. Never Compromise On The Quality of Your Cabinetry
Your cabinets serve as an essential storage space. Here, you can keep all sorts of kitchen items, from fragile plates and other cookware to heavy kitchen items and appliances. You, therefore, cannot afford to install substandard cabinets in your kitchen. This mistake could render your onerous DIY efforts undone in weeks.Â
The cabinets crashing can also lead to the breakage of the fragile items stored in them. To forestall this disaster:
- Make sure that your cabinets are sturdy.
- Check the materials from which they are made.
- Pay attention to the hinges and ensure that the doors are firmly fixed.
ConclusionÂ
There are tons of mistakes that people make in their DIY journey. Of a truth, your design isn’t expected to have that unmistakable quintessential signature of an expert. Nevertheless, avoiding rookie mistakes like oversized kitchen islands, closely spaced work triangles, and copying short-lived trends can close the gap between the quality of a job delivered by an expert and one done by a DIY-er.
