Designers Abhor these 7 Kitchen Missteps:
Untidy Kitchen Nuisances: Designers Share Their Biggest Beefs
Let's face it, a kitchen that's filled with clutter just doesn't exude that welcoming, modern vibe we all crave. So, we consulted some top-notch interior designers to spill the beans on their biggest pet peeves - the clutter culprits that are preventing our kitchens from reaching their full potential. Follow along as we debunk seven common offenders and leave you with a kitchen that looks more like a serene retreat and less like a chaotic mess.
Pet Peeve #1: The Cluttered Countertop
Clutter Culprit: Too Many Small Appliances
Countertop appliances can not only disrupt the clean lines and visual flow of a kitchen, but they can also be unattractive to look at, warns Letecia Haywood, founder of Letecia Ellis Haywood Interior Design. Instead, Haywood recommends implementing streamlined storage solutions for small gadgets in your projects.
"We like to design coffee stations or appliance garages behind doors, or if space permits, a small working pantry off the main kitchen to store such items," she says. Designer Andrea Sinkin suggests determining what you need accessible at all times. "You don't need to have a coffee maker on the counter plus an espresso machine; pick one or the other," she says.
Pet Peeve #2: The Overly Photogenic Fridge
Although displaying family photos on the fridge may seem like the perfect spot, it can actually create visual clutter, notes designer Jennifer Weisberg. Instead of filling up the fridge door with a haphazard assortment of photos, consider hammering in a few nails and creating a gallery wall of carefully curated photos (no more than ten) that have been uniformly framed.
Pet Peeve #3: The Disheveled Open Shelf
If you're rocking open or glass shelving in your kitchen, be mindful of what you display, cautions Weisberg. Giving items a homespun, haphazard appearance can make the space seem chaotic and contribute to an overall sense of visual disorder. To counteract this, make an effort to intentionally display items, using baskets or bins to keep things neat and visually appealing.
Pet Peeve #4: The Spice Jars Galore Situation
While it's essential to have easy access to your spices, there's no reason they need to be front and center on your counters. Designer Linda Gerace-Skinner recommends incorporating a built-in spice drawer to house your jars and keep them out of sight when not in use.
Pet Peeve #5: The Knife Block Dilemma
Knife blocks are a mainstay in many kitchens, but according to Lori Miller, founder of LCG Interior Design, they're often overlooked as a potential source of countertop clutter. To maintain a less cluttered look, Miller suggests storing your knives in an in-drawer cutlery organizer. Alternatively, store the knife block in a cabinet when not in use.
Pet Peeve #6: The Overburdened Paper Towel Holder
Speaking of cluttered kitchen essentials, those paper towel holders can contribute to a cluttered countertop appearance as well. Miller suggests opting for a pull-out paper towel holder inside a cabinet to keep accessibility without compromising on aesthetics.
Pet Peeve #7: The Unwanted Medicine Bottles
Finally, many of us may find ourselves with medicine bottles hanging around our kitchen counters. But according to Sinkin, medications belong in a bathroom, not the kitchen. Store all personal care items in the bathroom to keep only food-related items on your kitchen counters.
To Create a Less Cluttered Kitchen:
- Clear Your Countertops: Prioritize keeping counters clutter-free to maintain order and a more spacious look.
- Use Storage: Invest in pull-out cabinets, built-in organizers, vertical pantries, and spice racks to reduce clutter while maximizing storage solutions.
- Streamline Your Kitchen: Assign a designated home for every item in your kitchen, and commit to sticking with it to maintain an orderly and stylish space.
Designers universally agree on the disruption clutter causes in a kitchen, hindering its potential to radiate a welcoming, modern ambiance. Letecia Haywood, founder of Letecia Ellis Haywood Interior Design, flags too many small appliances on counters as a key offender. Solutions she advocates include concealed coffee stations or appliance garages behind doors, or designated small working pantries for storage.
Andrea Sinkin advises prioritizing accessibility of necessary appliances, such as a coffee maker or espresso machine, to avoid cluttering counters. Jennifer Weisberg warns against displaying an unorganized assortment of family photos on the fridge door, preferring a carefully curated gallery wall with uniform frames.
Lack of intentionality in displaying items on open or glass shelves in the kitchen is a concern raised by Weisberg, as it can contribute to visual disorder. To mitigate this, she recommends using baskets or bins to maintain order and visual appeal.
Linda Gerace-Skinner suggests incorporating a built-in spice drawer to keep spice jars hidden when not in use, while Lori Miller recommends storing knives in an in-drawer cutlery organizer or hidden in a cabinet when not in use.
Miller also suggests opting for a pull-out paper towel holder inside a cabinet, as paper towel holders can contribute to a cluttered countertop appearance. Finally, Sinkin emphasizes the importance of storing personal care items in the bathroom to minimize clutter on kitchen counters, as medications do not belong there.
To enhance the order and aesthetics of your kitchen, remember to keep counters clutter-free, invest in storage solutions such as pull-out cabinets, and assign a designated home for every item in your kitchen. By streamlining your kitchen, you'll create a harmonious, less cluttered space that exudes a welcoming, modern vibe.
