5 Kitchen Layout Mistakes Designers Say You Can Never Unsee

Common kitchen layout mistakes can make your space dysfunctional and uninviting. We asked the experts to name the most egregious kitchen layout mistakes to help you spot common pitfalls that can derail your design.

Ignoring the Work Triangle

Ignore the wisdom of the kitchen work triangle—in which the sink, cooktop, and refrigerator are arranged to make meal prep and cooking more efficient—at your peril.

“This can lead to awkward layouts that feel disjointed, forcing unnecessary steps or detours that interrupt the natural rhythm of cooking and living,” says interior designer Katherine Moore, interior designer and co-founder of Murphy & Moore Design.

Moore says small changes, “like moving an appliance, adding a secondary prep sink, or adjusting spacing to improve efficiency,” can make a big difference.

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Storage as Afterthought

Moore recommends installing custom cabinetry when possible that is tailored to individual preferences and a design statement in its own right.

“Storage is often squeezed in late or not planned well, which results in cluttered counters, oversized islands without much use, and cabinets that waste space,” she says. “Some clients prefer hidden organization to keep the kitchen calm and tidy. Others like to display heirloom copper pots or curated glassware as part of the design.”

Disjointed Appliances

Group related appliances together to create an easy workflow in your kitchen.

“I’ve seen the sink positioned away from the dishwasher or the ovens away from the stovetop,” says kitchen designer Jayne Everett, co-founder and creative director of Naked Kitchens. “These appliances work together and should be therefore located close to each other.”

Cramped Walkways

Be careful to leave enough space between opposite or adjacent banks of cabinetry to prevent your kitchen from being awkward to use and share. This could be the walkway in a galley-style kitchen, or the space between lower cabinets and the kitchen island, for example.

“A too narrow walkway makes it very difficult to work within the kitchen—especially when doors such as the dishwasher are open and block the walkway,” Everett says.

Awkward Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands that are too big for your space can make it look and feel cramped. Kitchen island seating should never encroach on your workspace.

“A huge no-no is where island seating is located within the busy area of the kitchen,” Everett says. She suggests placing seating on the outside of the island facing in toward the kitchen, or positioned on the side to keep it from inhibiting flow.

4 Golden Rules of Kitchen Layout

Designers Moore and Everett always follow these golden rules when designing a kitchen layout.

• Favor timelessness over trends: Kitchens are expensive to build and renovate. Choose a layout that will work for years to come, Moore recommends, as your family grows or you age in place.
• Balance form and function: “Every design decision, from appliance placement to cabinetry details, must serve both style and purpose,” Moore says. “When form and function are balanced, the space works as well as it looks.”
• Design for everyday: Don’t design your kitchen around big events like Thanksgiving dinner, Moore cautions. Prioritize a design that is tailored around your lifestyle and supports everyday routines. “When the layout fits the client’s lifestyle, the kitchen becomes easier and more practical to use,” she says.
• Do an imaginary walk-through: Do your future self a favor by imagining how you will use the space before renovations begin. “Once the design is nearing completion, always walk through the kitchen in your mind,” Everett says. “Carefully think through how the kitchen will be used to ensure the layout works brilliantly and hopefully highlight any issues.”