Designers Reveal: These Kitchen Features Never Fail to Spoil the Look

From cobweb-filled corners at the top of cabinets to trash cans stealing the limelight, kitchens abound with design blunders that can spoil their overall appearance. Whereas mistakes in lesser-used spaces such as living rooms or bedrooms might slip under the radar, this isn’t the case for high-traffic areas like kitchens.

"Kitchens serve as the core of the house, highlighting visual errors even more evidently," states Cheryl Rosenberg, who owns Piña Home .

Here, we highlight six kitchen elements that experts agree are often considered unsightly.

Meet the Expert

• Cheryl Rosenberg is the proprietor of Piña Home.
• Kayla Payne The creator of Painted by Kayla Payne is her.

Kitchen Island Cooktops

Rosenberg comments, “While it’s common practice, I’m not fond of having a cooktop on the kitchen island. It ought to be reserved for cooking shows.”

Rosenberg points out that kitchen islands are designed for gatherings, meals, and social interactions. Therefore, installing a cooktop there would not only be unattractive but also hazardous.

She remarks, 'I create for actual living conditions,' adding that in everyday scenarios, curious children tend to reach out towards appetizing meals being prepared on that heated area.

Furthermore, regardless of whether your island countertop is constructed from marble , whether it be sleek onyx or wood, a substantial, unbroken expanse of countertops acts as a stunning centerpiece in the kitchen, according to Rosenberg. Why mar that simplicity with a stove top and an imposing range hood above?

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Wine Bottle Decor

I can’t help but blink uncontrollably when I see this," remarks Kayla Payne from her blog Painted by Kayla Payne. "There’s nothing more dated than that wine bottle holder sitting atop the refrigerator.

Although wine bottles may appear sophisticated ideologically, they can end up making your kitchen resemble a supermarket rather than a charming Tuscan-style haven.

From a pragmatic perspective, wine bottles will age optimally in a wine cellar or preferably in a wine refrigerator. Should neither be available, Kayla suggests displaying valuable bottles on a bar cart instead.

She suggests, 'If you have wine on display but don’t intend to drink it, get rid of it,' adding, 'please.'

In-Your-Face Trashcans

A functional kitchen requires a trash can, but this essential item doesn’t have to be prominently placed beside your kitchen island or fridge. The space ought to exude freshness and warmth rather than look like an exposed waste area.

An intelligent approach would be to store your trash can under the sink. Alternatively, if there isn't enough space in that spot, remove some shelves from a cabinet and fit a narrow bin within. By keeping the trash can concealed behind a shut door, you’ll avoid dealing with unpleasant smells or visual disarray.

Dingy Dish Racks

If your kitchen doesn’t have a dishwasher, you might find a dish drainer next to the sink for drying utensils. Though functional, this could clutter your countertop space—particularly when clean dishes stay there well past their dry time.

In addition to their cluttering-collecting tendencies, dish drainers are prone to accumulating water spots, soap residue, and grime. If left unchecked, a dish drainer can look neglected or just plain unsanitary, detracting from your kitchen's overall aesthetic.

Kitchen Gadgets as Decor

A collection of spatulas and spoons in a jar near the stove is one thing, but showcasing knives as part of your wall decoration? Displaying cutting boards against the backsplash for aesthetic purposes? Such choices really stretch the boundaries of what can be considered tasteful interior design.

Since kitchen tools are often quite artistic, it might seem inviting to showcase them; however, an abundance could detract from the kitchen’s sleek design, turning it into more of a cluttered storeroom rather than a thoughtfully arranged space.

Moreover, kitchen tools tend to get soiled or oily, and once displayed as decoration, they can attract dust and dirt easily.

Artificial Plants Above the Cupboards

Payne remarks, "Those days have passed when fake trailing ivy seemed to sprout in the uncomfortable area up top of the cabinets!"

If your cabinets don't reach up to the ceiling, you might be inclined to use that extra space for various items, particularly fake plants.

Artificial plants, which were very trendy in the ' 90s Now they exude an outdated vibe and might make your kitchen seem more disorganized than quaint. Kitchens thrive with sleek lines and simplicity, and having too many items—particularly ones that aren’t where they should be—can clutter the space.

Instead of opting for greenery, Payne suggests adorning your cabinets with a display of blue and white ginger jars or ironstone pitchers.

Open Shelving Overload

Open shelving Can be an elegant method to showcase several chosen items, however, filling each shelf with everyday necessities leads to a visually overwhelming result.

Remember that not all coffee mugs, such as those you acquired at your recent work conference, deserve to be showcased. Sets that match typically appear most appealing because they provide coherence and let the eyes find peace. To prevent boredom, place special items like small artworks, decorative bowls, or vases among these matched groups.

For the shelving, opt for using just one type of shelf design instead of installing three or four unevenly matched ones. Multiple varying styles and finishes might rapidly transform the ambiance from eclectic to disorganized.

Read the initial article on The Spruce