1. NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS OR BACKSPLASHES
Marble kitchens and natural stone counters are a dream upgrade that makes any kitchen look luxurious, but the reality of these stones is often a far cry from the serene pictures on Pinterest, as Wes Haas, director of design at COOPER Design Build, reveals.
‘Marble can be easily etched or damaged and porous stones absorb stains and grease, making them a nightmare to keep clean and pristine,’ he says.
2. BOILING WATER TAPS
This may be a controversial regret, but boiling water taps, although a sustainable kitchen idea, can sometimes be overkill, says Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight.
‘While these are sleek, the costs for setting up and running them can add up,’ he explains. ‘Moreover, they can be a concern in households with young ones. Maybe think about getting a fast-heating electric kettle or an efficient stove that heats water swiftly, minus the concerns and long-term expenses.’
3. WORKSTATION SINKS
‘Workstation sinks with built-in accessories may seem ideal, but they can be challenging to keep clean and functional due to their size and all the attachments,’ says Katrina Smith, kitchen expert and founder of Kitchensity. ‘Choose a high-quality single or double basin sink with customizable accessories like cutting boards and colanders for a more flexible setup.’
4. TRASH COMPACTORS
Unless you have a commercial-sized kitchen in your home and are caring for an exceedingly large household, trash compactors are simply never used, says Wes Haas, director of design. What’s more, they take up a lot of space, making them an impractical solution when trying to put a trash can in a small kitchen, and they are very expensive.
5. POT FILLERS
Pot fillers have been in and out of trends over the last few years, but one thing is for sure – they have fallen out of favor with designers. ‘Introducing them means another possible leakage point and more plumbing tasks,’ bemoans Artem Kropovinksy, interior designer. ‘If seldom used, stale water might be a problem. A retractable faucet close to your cooking area could be a simpler alternative without added complications.’
6. TOO LARGE AN ISLAND
There are so many kitchen island types it can be hard to know what to pick from, but going too big is often a homeowner's regret, says Elizabeth Grace, interior designer and founder of Dream Home Making.
7. PANTRY LADDERS
I think it would be safe to say that some of us have dreamed of floor-to-ceiling cabinets or bookshelves with rolling ladders ever since we saw them in childhood fairytale movies. But, as with many fairy stories, the harsh reality is they are incredibly impractical.
8. OPEN SHELVING
There are several downsides to open shelving that we have covered in the past, and they all lead to design regret, says Katrina Smith, kitchens expert. ‘While open shelving can look stunning, it can lead to clutter and maintenance challenges, making it hard to organize a kitchen, and more importantly, clean a kitchen.
9. EXTRAVAGANT APPLIANCES
Choosing the best kitchen appliances is one of the most important parts of a kitchen remodel, especially as there are so many to choose from all with different functions and fun gadgets. Katrina Smith, kitchens expert suggests that you stick to simple, however, and avoid extravagant choices that many homeowners come to regret.