Design mistakes to avoid while designing a kitchen

Merino Laminates, February 12, 2025

Designing a kitchen space requires a lot of planning, research and understanding of the needs, aspirations and the lifestyle of the inhabitants. However, there are some factors that one must bear in mind, in order to create a space that is functional, elegant and adaptive to the changing needs of the users. Not only must the design do justice to the needs of the users but it should also optimise the space and resources available to make the tasks easier and smoother. Here are some mistakes to avoid while designing your kitchen:

1. Right when the spatial planning of the kitchen is done, it is crucial to create a dedicated utility space. Instead of having one large kitchen, you can break it up into a kitchen and utility area, and even if you do not have space in the kitchen, a part of the balcony or a spare bathroom can be converted into a utility area. This is a highly useful space and is especially essential in Indian homes to accommodate a dedicated washing and drying area for clothes, vessels etc. This should be well ventilated, finished with anti-skid tiles and must house ample storage to store cleaning supplies and appliances needed for day to day cleaning.

2. As you plan the layout of your kitchen, it is advisable to segregate the wet and dry areas separately. If you have a dedicated utility space, all the washing can happen in that space, while a smaller sink can be accommodated within the kitchen. Otherwise, the counters can be placed in such a way that the cooking and preparation area is given ample space and washing and drying has a designated space of its own. Not only does this help keep your kitchen clean and tidy, it is also a great way to organise your space and make it more efficient.

3. If you are someone who entertains a lot of guests or has kids at home, a closed kitchen would be an ideal choice for you. Kitchens can get messy, and if you are someone who can expect a visitor at any time, you would want to keep the mess hidden away! Likewise, children are vulnerable to a lot of accidents in the kitchen, and a space that can be closed and locked away is a better choice to ensure the safety and well-being of the entire family. Open kitchens have become a norm in compact homes today as they help create an open and seamless space, however, they can be messy and dangerous under the aforementioned circumstances, and care must be taken to choose the right style of kitchen for your home.

4. When you are looking at the storage options in your kitchen, it is best advised to go for closed storage, especially for Indian homes. Indian cuisine is elaborate and often demands a wide array of utensils, thus, we may often have a lot of things in our kitchen, which when stored in open shelves can look messy and can also catch a lot of dust and grime. Open shelves can look cluttered and make the space look smaller, hence, they aren’t the best choice for Indian homes.

5. In continuation with the point above, it is also ideal to avoid too many baskets or accessories. It is best to create large, multipurpose storage spaces that can be used to store varied kitchen essentials. From large vessels to say, an idly maker, you may have a lot of utensils of varying sizes that require large storage space and opting for a lot of baskets and smaller compartments can leave you with little space to store your larger items. You can, however, use organisers, cane or plastic trays, bottles or boxes, magnetic strips to organise your multipurpose storage unit in a more efficient manner.

6. As a kitchen is a hub of a lot of tasks, ventilation and good lighting is extremely crucial. Always try to have ample natural ventilation and add sufficient task lighting to make the space more efficient. Task lights under overhead cabinets, automatic lights within cabinets and tall units etc., make the experience of using your kitchen more opulent while making the space more user-friendly. A good sized chimney and exhaust with the latest features further helps create a comfortable cooking experience.

7. Lastly, as you look at the finishing options for your kitchen, you can opt for super glossy finishes like the Gloss Meister range from Merino Laminates as they are scratch resistant, easy to clean and look as good as new with a little maintenance. As our kitchens can catch a lot of grime and are subject to a lot of wear and tear, glossy finishes are the ideal options. They come in a wide range of colours and designs making them a great choice for kitchens of every size and style.

We hope that these design tips will help you create an ideal kitchen space that is built to suit your needs, aspirations and aesthetic without compromising on the functionality or the safety of your home and loved ones.