Kitchen Design Mistakes to Avoid: Lessons from Southern Experts

If there’s a single space in the home that deserves thoughtful consideration and perhaps a little trial and error, it’s undoubtedly the kitchen. When embarking on a kitchen redesign or ground-up build, many find themselves navigating a delicate balance between aesthetic appeal and functional requirements. To help you sidestep common pitfalls, three Southern experts—two seasoned designers and a renowned baker—share their first-hand experiences and insights into kitchen design.

Forgoing a Microwave

Julie McAllister, a hyperrealistic cake artist known from her appearances on Is It Cake?, had a vision for her kitchen that championed aesthetics over practicality. “Space was limited, and I was insistent on not having a microwave,” she recalls, emphasizing the desire to maintain a certain design aesthetic. However, as a professional baker, she soon realized her oversight.

“I miss the convenience of a microwave, especially for tasks like melting chocolate,” McAllister admits. While she appreciates the visual flow of her kitchen without one, she wishes she had allocated space for a microwave in the pantry, merging functionality with design elegance.

Not Designating Enough Space for a Baking Station

Patti Wilbourne, an interior designer from Charleston, understands the importance of a dedicated baking space, but she faced a common challenge: underestimating the size such a station requires. With multiple bakers in her household, her once-intended baking corner quickly became crowded.

“Be sure to allow room for your typical ingredients and all of your tools,” she advises. “Consider adding under-counter refrigerator drawers for essentials like eggs and butter.” Her emphasis on adequate space reiterates that functionality is key, ensuring that baking remains a joyful, not chaotic, activity.

Installing Impractically Tall Upper Cabinets

Libby Baker Speight, a designer based in Florida, once fell into the trap of extending upper cabinets to the ceiling, mistaking height for elegance. “High ceilings can be visually stunning, but it’s not always a practical choice,” she shares. “I learned that no one uses those top cabinets as they often require a ladder to reach.”

Now, Baker opts for a more practical approach. Instead of full-height cabinets, she sometimes employs decorative soffits to maintain visual appeal without wasting resources on inaccessible storage.

Not Installing Enough Wall Storage

Julie McAllister also cautions against overlooking vertical storage potential. Her kitchen, with its high ceilings, demanded creativity in storage solutions, yet she opted for a minimalist approach that ultimately left her short on space. “I aimed for a clean look, avoiding upper cabinets,” she explains. “But now I wish I had added shelving along that back wall instead of relying solely on the one small upper cabinet.”

Her experience is a reminder that aesthetics shouldn’t overshadow practical storage needs, especially in a hub as busy as the kitchen.

Installing a Paper Towel Holder Inside a Cabinet

Patti Wilbourne strongly advocates having a designated spot for paper towels, to keep them organized and accessible. However, she warns against the common mistake of placing the holder inside a cabinet. “Frequent opening and closing to access paper towels can wear out hinges and lead to constant adjustments,” she notes.

This small but significant placement choice highlights the need for practicality in design, ensuring that daily tasks are effortless.

Each of these insights reflects real-world experiences that resonate with anyone looking to craft the perfect kitchen. Designing this vital space requires a balance of beauty and functionality, and learning from past missteps can pave the way for an optimized kitchen you’ll love for years to come.