11 Huge Kitchen Design Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs, According to Pros

“Using the wrong paint finish on walls can be problematic. While many people like the appearance of flat or matte paint, it’s not ideal for kitchen areas. An eggshell or satin finish is a better choice for easy spot cleaning.” — Theresa Butler, Theresa Butler Interiors

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Don’t copy what you see on Instagram and social media. Take field trips to stone yards and get a feel for the slab that calls your name. Stone yards offer a beautiful peek into Mother Nature’s creations! Take photos and videos of your favorites. Visit a tile shop and look for tile that looks like it was made from an element in that slab. If you start coordinating materials in this way, soon you’ll build a story around a design that speaks to your heart, and that’s where the magic happens.” — Lindsay Lucas, Lindsay Laine Interiors

“A cluttered kitchen countertop makes the mind ‘hungry’ to see less, so start the decluttering process in the early stages of kitchen design planning. For example, consider having the cabinet designer add a couple of charging or docking drawers to neatly store while conveniently charging them. You should also become more aware of your bad habits around the kitchen area, so you can move away from the mentality of ‘the kitchen countertop is convenient for everything.'” — Georgie Hay, Meridith Baer Home

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“One of the most common pitfalls homeowners make is choosing the wrong materials for key surfaces like countertops, flooring and backsplashes. While it’s tempting to select materials based on aesthetics alone, it’s crucial to consider durability and ease of maintenance. For instance, natural stones like marble are undeniably beautiful but can be quite porous, leading to potential stains and requiring regular sealing to maintain their appearance. At Dwellify, we always advise clients to balance style with practicality, ensuring their kitchen not only looks stunning but also stands up to the daily demands of a busy household.” — Alexa Larson, Dwellify

“Trends tend to come back around, so while it’s not surprising that the tiled kitchen countertop trend from the 1970s and 1980s is making a resurgence, it’s definitely disappointing. Tiled countertops are so impractical — they’re more difficult to maintain and nearly impossible to keep clean. Especially the grout lines!” — Molly Torres Portnof, DATE Interiors

RELATED: The Best Types of Kitchen Countertops

“Though some ceilings are taller than others, the standard ceiling height is 8′-0″. Many homes are of a standard height, therefore when you have upper cabinets in a kitchen, it’s best to not have a gap between the ceiling and the cabinetry. It drives me crazy, as it will just collect dust bunnies and other creatures up there. It’s best to close off that gap with either a nice molding or flush filler.” — Linda Hayslett, LH.Designs

“Avoid pendants that are too small for your island size. Nothing screams builder-grade more than light fixtures that are inappropriately sized. I’d always rather see two larger pendants instead of three smaller ones, if you’re tight on space.” — Jeanne Barber, Camden Grace Interiors

“I like a kitchen in a soft, singular color palette. Since the kitchen usually sees the most activity in a home, it will also likely see the most clutter. Think about kids homework on the kitchen table or island, art projects hung on the refrigerator, calendars, mail, magazines, purses and backpacks hanging on backs of chairs. A kitchen with a soft color palette will absorb these items better and won’t look so confusing and messy.” — Tara Felice Engelberg, Tara Felice Interiors