1. SKIMPING ON DRAWERS
'Not adding drawers where possible is a big mistake when building a new kitchen,' says Jane Lockhart, founder of Jane Lockhart Design. 'This is sometimes due to cost, but it is worth the budget stretch as it makes a kitchen far more usable. Drawers allow you to pull out items so they are easier to see and make lifting heavier objects a simpler task. And, added drawers mean you don’t have to bend down as far to find things, overall helping with efficiency.'
2. IGNORING CORNER CABINETS
Corner drawers are a great way to use your kitchen's dead space to improve the overall decor, and functionality. Corners or alcoves are often the most overlooked spaces but the most useful ones too.
3. MISSING OUT ON MORE SHELF SPACE
'Having tall cabinets without putting in more than one shelf to take advantage of the height is a big opportunity missed,' says Jane. 'Adding at least two shelves, or tailoring the position of the shelves during installation to accommodate taller or shorter items, can really improve the amount of things that can be stored.'
4. DISREGARDING PANTRY CABINETS
'Not every home comes with a built-in kitchen pantry but that doesn’t mean you can’t attain the same idea elsewhere throughout the kitchen,' says Kelly. 'Designing with a few tall, shallow pantry cabinets, is advantageous for storage, and embodies a custom built-in ambiance with these cabinets.'
5. NOT UTILIZING THE ISLAND FOR STORAGE
A kitchen island can be a savior that your space badly needs. Ignoring its potential can be a big opportunity missed.