10 Mistakes I Made When Designing Our Kitchen | How To Avoid These Design Hassles 

Had I known a course like this was available, I would have taken it BEFORE I did my kitchen renovation. If you're interested, here's a link to receive $200 off your enrolment fee: www.theinteriordesigninstitute.ca/landing/referfriend/?code=referfriend&aid=referfriend&rid=217137 Original Review of The Interior Design Institute: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FOuJgdA-EK4.html

I’m so happy we didn’t have enough money to do our kitchen when we rebuilt our house, that gave me the opportunity to live in the space (with our old cheap cabinets) and carefully study the layout before we spent a whole lot of money on a new kitchen, I spent a lot of hours watching videos like these to learn as much as I could before redoing our own... so thank you for sharing, your kitchen is beautiful!

Meanwhile in Europe: how on Earth is this kitchen small 😂? Also, love the slo mo!

For the knife-edged bar stools - Pick up some 1" dowel at your local box store and run a groove about 1/2" into one side, then glue the grooved dowel on top of the knife edge. Dowel is pretty inexpensive, and it might solve the problem without a big time commitment.

EXCELLENT! This is the kind of "tell it like it is" we viewers need but few tell us. Bless you for opening up!

Oh my gosh I’m so grateful I’m not the only one that has had frustrations during a renovation! I’m almost done with my kitchen….finally but man did I learn things the expensive way!! Biggest lesson learned, always always always hire a professional to do the job!!! 😖

Thank you. To me living in Europe the fridge is huge! I'm designing mine right now, so much to consider. Good point about the chairs and the dishwasher and oven close to each other. I think it looks really nice and timeless :)

I feel like for most "mistakes" it was style over convenience. These drawers look amazing, though.

"Small space that we have" is 3 times the size of my kitchen:))

I laughed the whole time watching this! Glad you have made these "mistakes" so we can learn in advance... especially the fridge tip!

Unfortunately it’s the “little things” that annoy us the most. Some of the things you dislike, like the shelves and stools, can still be changed. The layout and function, you’ll just have to live with. Overall, it looks nice.

I would get some black rope and a glue gun and wrap those sharp footrests

Great video! It’s interesting that most of these mistakes were functional. I think it’s easy to get so caught up in the look that don’t put enough thought into use. Design is form AND function. I feel like if I have to choose one or the other, functionality wins every time. Also regarding counter depth refrigerators, I have had more luck with the ones that have freezer on the bottom.

This is a great video. And no, you are not complaining. We live in a century rural home. Re did the kitchen about 10 yrs ago, there is just the 2 of us, however, its a big kitchen ( we think ) but when friends gather, it's not. Many of my complaints are the same as yours!

I really listened to your video. I believe that I heard your frustration over lack of function, bad bar stools, poor appliance placement and size, clumsy drawer design, and dangerous chairs. Functionality brings its own beauty to design. My favorite feature in my new kitchen is my recycling center, I love it because it solved a problem! Hit the thrift shops for a set of comfortable dining chairs, they are practically giving them away. Windsor design are comfy with the curved back. You will be rewarded every night at dinner. Your next kitchen will be better! You are learning what is important, great job.

Don't apologize! You're not complaining your critiquing your work. Learning from your mistakes. Thank you very much for sharing this was helpful

Haha. Loved the slo-mo chair fail fall! If I had known I was practically going to live in the kitchen most of the day, (seems like anyway) mine would be totally different!!!

Counter depth fridges make total sense(you never lose track of things hiding and going out of date in the back). You just have to get as wide a model as you can afford, that makes sense in your layout. A female friend of ours hated the idea of outlets on the side of her new custom kitchen peninsula as well. That was going to limit her to an unattractive quad outlet on the wall. I talked her into a counter pop-up with six outlets + 2 USB outlets. She loves it and every phone and small appliance(blender etc) gets plugged into it because it is away from the main activity area. The added bonus of course is that it drops down to an almost flush reveal with the counter, when not in use.

I'm designing my kitchen now. I appreciate the tips!!

It's so refreshing to hear you talk about budget and sacrificing to stay within budget.

You know, in France, we would say that your kitchen has the perfect size! 😉

Loved this video. My kitchen regret is my backsplash- we got the tiles free from my sister’s renovation...it would not have been my first choice and now I regret it because it’s so hard to change! I should have been more patient- story of my life.

Not meant in a bad way, but that is not a small kitchen...But I guess its a culture thing? I live in Estonia, and my kitchen is considered small (1.7m times 1.9m) but your kitchen is considered above average size. That being said, its a lovely kitchen. I designed my onw as well, even though it is ikea, I love how it turned out.

That's why every time I look at a house video, if the kitchen isn't big, it's a no no. The kitchen is the heart of the house so everyone should make it spacious.

A hint to readers: spending a couple hundred dollars to have a professional kitchen designer review your plans and ideas can prevent problems and expensive mistakes. This will save money in the long run.

I agree with the counter depth refrigerator. I've always had the larger ones that stick out and in 2021 when I needed a new one, I was so excited to get a fridge flush with the counter. 😂😭 Well, I hate it because of the tiny shelves thus, lack of space. I ended up purchasing a freezer chest just so I could have freezer room. The fridge part is bad but the freezer is worse. Now I have to wait like another ten years when this one breaks, so I can get a regular one. 🙄😏 I learned my lesson with that one.

For the small drawers, i love when there's a magnet that opens the 2 drawers at the same time, especially for the utensils !

You have perfectly illustrated why you hire a professional designer. Thank you!

Thanks for being real. The open space is lovely to entertain friends.

I love this video. Thank you for this. Because I also have some minor regrets from my kitchen Reno. So this helps me not feel so bad

Your kitchen is stunning! We all make mistakes, but I think overall you did a great job!

You are so right about comfortable well made chairs. We spend a lot of time gathering around the table. Comfort is important. On the fridge, I bought the bigger refrigerator. It's good, but I can't reach the back of the top shelf easily. It's deep. When I do the remodel, I'm thinking of getting a counter depth fridge x2! I'll have them open like a double door fridge but actually be two refrigerators. Great tips. Thanks!

Excellent video Marisa! So many things seem like great ideas when we're dreaming online, but then you learn when you live with it! I really appreciate your willingness to share these things because it is tremendously helpful! Your kitchen is beautiful! Thank you for the tips!

Your honesty and transparency are so sweet and refreshing...and helpful!!

At the auto parts store you can find a wheel paint in matte black that is incredibly durable. I even used it on my door hinges and it is amazingly strong, you could totally use it on your range hood!

OMG- this is a much needed video. my husband and I renovating our house in a cheap way, i appreciate you sharing so i can avoid the same mistakes. overall you are beautiful and i love everything about this video, your kitchen is full of LOVE and that makes it even more beautiful.

Just stumbled across your channel and this video. I have similar chairs as you, they’re knock offs from the famous Eames plastic molded chairs purchased from Amazon. I had constant issues with a screw coming undone and that “unsafe” feeling every time I used them. My father in-law said I needed to replace the washers with “tension” washers and it did the trick! They are safe now and I have not had a bolt come undone since then! Look into it, the washers cost me a few dollars at Home Depot. Thought I’d share! Best of luck!

Loved the idea of clean matching seams on the cabinetts and drawers! This was mega helpful❤

The shelves, the island chairs, kitchen chairs, the range hood are all easy and relatively cheap fixes. It's been 5 years of hating them. For max $500-$1000 you can fix all of that. Go for it ☺

Thanks for your honesty and normalizing regrets, even while being happy with the overall result! Expecting perfection makes life wayyy too hard.

great video. glad to see someone working in a budget. hate watching remodels where money is no object....lol

This was an awesome video!!! Thanks so much for sharing. It just goes to show no matter how hard we plan... things never work out as perfectly as we want.

That was an awesome video! Very helpful and realistic! Thank you so much for sharing your real thoughts with us :)

I’m TOO BUSY LISTENING to write. But I LOVE this and LOVE YOU And I’m REALLY CRITICAL! Which is a compliment ❤️ because I’M VERY IMPRESSED! ❤️👍👍👍👍

Thank you for your transparency and honest, real talk! We have all made some mistakes. Your kitchen is very lovely!!

Counter depth is fine, they look better, just get wider! Also, fridges with multiple drawers the open from the outside have less storage space inside.

First time watching! You seem so genuine! Can't wait to watch more!

I have never opened my dishwasher and oven at the same time. Mine aren’t opposite each other, but I do all my cooking then I use the dishwasher! Also, I agree about the curtains and vents thing - all the heat or AC goes out the window. Get new stools - they are not expensive, you could even get them at Target for a reasonable price, until years from now when you want to upgrade. Change is hard, I know - I bought my dinette set with 4 chairs, 2 barstool/Island chairs, and Bakers rack 18 years ago - they all look so nice and coordinated (in my mind), but time to move on from them but I just can seem to take myself to the department store to shop for new and different!

It’s just my husband and I and we have a counter depth fridge and it just works. They really don’t work for a family. And even we have a second undercounter size fridge in the garage for holidays, trays, watermelons, etc. Definitely make sure your kitchen chairs are sturdy and comfortable because they get used all the time!! Your kitchen is beautiful and it seems like many of the things you mentioned are things you can change, so that’s good.

Your video came up in my recommendation videos and was glad that it did! Your info was informative and delivery was entertaining! I have many kitchen dilemmas. My kitchen is so outdated, falling apart and not functional. My biggest frustration is a bottom cupboard that doesn’t open all the way because of the stove. While trying to get things out, I have gotten stuck in the cupboard. I’ve felt like Winnie the Pooh who got stuck in his honey pot. Only difference, there is nothing tasty in that cupboard. Loved your video!!

Your kitchen looks lovely but it's not small!

Some great tips for someone like me who also has a small kitchen which is being remodeled now. Love the bar stools...so glad you mentioned the footrests as I hadn't thought of that and love having my morning coffee at the bar in my bare feet. Also the appliance placement is good to rethink. I have my table, but haven't purchased the chairs yet so again...something to think about as I was going to go cheap on that as well. lol Thanks!!!

We have a counter depth fridge and it seems to work well. We still have room usually and clean it out when things get expired. Love the tip for the stove and dishwasher!

It’s still awesome that you did it and learned. And I like the stainless shelves and hood. Aim some warmer light on the silver tone and it turns gold!

This is one of the BEST videos! I wish everyone you’d do a regrets design video!

Thank you for sharing all the mistakes. I work in a public school that got a beautiful remodel, but the functionality absolutely sucks...reminds me of this. Functionality as my priority, I haaaaaaste my current kitchen...not fun to use at all. But got my appliances first and I love love love love love love the functionality of my new Samsung Bestoke appliances, full size fridge, best ever!❤

I'm about to start building a house and like you I'm trying to find a balance between those things I really want and what makes economic sense. I know this will be my last home (retirement) and my only 2 other homes were new but already completely finished by the time I found them. Builder grade everything, I got to pick nothing, so I'm determined this home will be what I want.

Thank you for your honest approach. Glad I found your channel

I consider a space- vrs family size. Kids/ teenagers/ or just a couple. But sometimes in a small space you just have to make it fit and work it out the best possible. Going above Budgeting is one issue too. What I do I buy something that I can replace later

Thank you. we are looking at a home tomorrow, and a better kitchen is the top reason to move. You have given me some good things to check.

I love your upbeat grateful attitude. I am going through a kitchen renovation right now, and will take into account your great tips. Thanks 👍🏽

I don't care about an electrical fire I just want the curtains to be beautifully long😂😂😂😂 OMG I can relate so much!

Our kitchen is big. Every holiday someone gets mad and throws a tomato because they get frustrated about tripping of everyone. I think it’s just kitchens lol

This is the first video I see in your channel and I found it so refreshing how open and candid you were. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

I appreciate your honesty!!! I had the same dilemma regarding curtain length and hvac vents. So..... Re: the vents/slash curtain length: vent diffusers will direct the heat/air coming out away from the curtains and will allow for full length curtains.

My new counter depth frig holds much more than my old one. Walls thinner, deeper and with 4 doors helps with large trays.

New to your channel, came over from the RU-vid channel “ Our Tribe of Many” Sarah mentioned your name and your wonderful ideas on decorating! So glad I found your channel.😀

I hear you Marisa. It's still a beautiful kitchen and the feature that I love the most is the square tile formation above the stove top. That square with the black bits in it, really makes the whole splashback pop. And as far as curtains go, I'm with your husband there. I had floor length curtains and the hems trapped so much dog hair fluff from my supposedly low-shedding beastie, although I swept daily. In the end I made them shorter and it's made my life that much easier.

Enjoyed your video. Thanks for the tips. Husband wants black stainless steel appliances and it’s much harder to come by and more expensive. But I do like it more than regular stainless steel. I considered a counter depth fridge but changed my mind.

Super helpful information. My counter depth fridge is being delivered tomorrow...sigh. I've thought about having mini fridges in the bedroom closets, so you just green lighted that idea.

I love those pendant lights!

We have a lovely little design flaw where you have to open the fridge to turn on the light, plus no storage (only 1 drawer for ALL utensils). We moved into this house with the kitchen like this with the thought that we would renovate one day. Maybe you can help with the Reno when we decide to do it!! Thanks for these tips! So incredibly helpful. Always willing to learn from others.

I made an outdoor games room. We purchased a second hand shop fridge. It's been great for catering....so for those entertaining king's n queens...it's been a must. Didn't cost a lot either....less than a new home fridge

Thanks for the tips...especially the counter depth refrigerator.

Omg this is the most useful kitchen reno video I've ever seen 👍🏻

Have you tried a vent deflector or a pop-up air register on that heat vent? If you did, you could direct the air into the room and lengthen your curtains. And yes, I would wrap the footrests on the stool with something attractive. And spend the money to replace the kitchen chairs. Eventually they're all going to break anyway, and maybe injure someone (which will be more expensive than the replacement).

I appreciate your honesty. It’s an eye opener for me. I’m in the process of doing my kitchen and don’t know how to start. Thank you

Use some decor on your shelves that is made from wood and add plants.

Isn't there a special kind of paint that would go over stainless steel? You could paint the rangehood and shelves black.

Spray paint that hood black! And spray paint the shelf brackets brass or have them dipped in brass. Change the shelves to wood. 🤷‍♀️ Go get it, girl! Love this video.

Awesome video. Great to keep these in mind as I plan my kitchen Reno. Re curtains: perhaps open them up, use blinds under them. Then they can reach the floor because you will never close them. Re chairs: Did the same thing buying from online conducting 2020, most uncomfortable chairs ever. Keep an eye on Craigslist, something better may come along someday! Thanks again for the food for thought!

I opened my kitchen up by taking out my PANTRY!! What was I THINKING?? I long for that pantry. I really scrimped on the remodel, so I’m thinking of doing it over when the covid is under control.

I‘ve never seen a fridge that‘s deeper than 60cm (countertop depth) in my life! Is that an American thing?

You can make your range hood matte black pretty easily (with some prep). You'd need to tape (and mask with paper or plastic) everything around it (walls, ceiling, stove, etc.), and pick up some matte/flat enamel spray paint. If buy the trigger handle that allows for easier spraying, and new spray nozzles that offer a fan pattern which will mimic traditional spray guns allowing you to get even coverage with sufficient overlapping. If course, if you have a spray gun you can just use that with enamel or even automotive paint. The matte finish will give even a beginner excellent results. If you were to use a clear coat and you have a paint gun, mix a bit of the black into the clear coat to avoid haze if the clear coat is applied too thick (which shouldn't be an issue if you are doing scraggly light coats). Sanding with a very fine grit wet sandpaper in between coats (of the coats have been allowed to fully dry between) helps the next coat shear better. This might not be a project you're interested in, but it's a great solution if you're interested in changing the hood without changing the hood.

Great video, these are the kind of details that we need to be aware when doing renovations or house designing planning

I’d like a kitchen walk through to see the kitchen better. It looks big to me.

Has anyone mentioned vent deflectors yet? They work really well.

Oh yes! Our floors are peel and stick to save money. They pit and wear down. We remove them with a heat gun and replace the squares as needed with the same pattern. Shifting the sink and window to the left would give me more prep space for cooking at the stove. We kept the old layout to save money but we had the opportunity to make it right. If you can, make the changes you really want if it's a complete gut. It is so worth it.

We have no plans to renovate our kitchen anytime soon, but it needs to be. One of the things I always think while watching home renovations on tv, is that style and beauty is usually not practical or functional. I think I would want a functional kitchen over a stylish one, but I liked your honesty. The comment about the refrigerator and hidden drawers will really help us in the future. I wouldn’t have thought about that.

Ok, just a little thing but the “stove” doesn’t open, the “oven” does. Your kitchen is really nice, I love the pendant lights. I have a HUGE kitchen and we are still always moving out of the way so someone can access the drawer we are standing in front of. LOL

All of these things seem like an easy fix, what are you waiting for?

I have these chair and literally, honestly, just hold my daughter how much they hurt my feet tonight and went and sat on the couch! Loved your video!

Glad I watched this. I’m now rethinking about where I am going to place my refrigerator. 👍🏼

I don’t get the curtains touching the floor. In my lifetime we never did this because your curtains get dirty (especially when you have pets who think it’s bedding)! I know people like the look but it isn’t practical with pets and kids. I wish this trend would go away! 😂

Thanks for the tips! It's funny, I was super adamant about a counter depth Refrigerator ... until I saw your video LOL we like food so I think I will take your advice.

Hi...you may think I’m crazy but I watched your video, read all the comments, then watched your other video that you referred to, and just watched this one again,,,lol 🤣😂 I did this bc we just finished out total gut and complete renovation of the kitchen after living in this home for 22 years ....when we first looked at the house I walked in the door and looked at kitchen and said......this has got to go! Try to make long story short but we live on a 6.5 acre farm with a big dairy barn and lots of outbuildings ....we have horses and the house stuff was just cosmetic....so I patiently waited until all that needed to be done to restore these outdoor structures and eventually the way it worked out the whole house got done and the kitchen was last! So I have designed this space completely at least 4 times and finally I got to do it for real😊 Even though I thought I thought of everything I still have things I would do differently🙈 No matter how hard you try you just can’t think of everything! A couple of things I did was I put glass doors on two upper cabinets and although they look pretty I probably shouldn’t have....I keep moving stuff around trying to find the best place to put everything?! I did buy a counter depth fridge bc I had to in order to put it where I wanted it....it’s just my husband and I and I still have trouble figuring out where everything should go....I love the way it looks and functions in the new spot great....I imagine the struggle is real with a family of 4! Our last spot the fridge was up against a wall and we could never get a side by side etc because you could not fully open the left door! Our new one has the drawer in the center that can fit platters etc and can be used as freezer or refrigerator...so that is the saving grace. I have to laugh when you talk about your bar stools bc I obsessed over what I wanted but in the end I decided comfort was king and I bought leather full back swivel chairs....oh I love them and so fitting for our space! After a few weeks passed I noticed some scratches on the top of the back of these beautiful chairs.....and oh I saw red!! It was my cat😺😡🤬 So I’m going to have some covers ( like a shrug made out of fleece to look like a saddle blanket) to cover the tops bc right now I have winter coats hung on them to guard them...not attractive...all the thought I put into that and cat scratching never occurred to me🙀😤 I was just sick about that! I could go on with the small stuff but overall I am very happy! I have an on deck matt black pot filler and I love it too! One of my suggestions for you is to consider some pretty blinds or shutters for your windows since you won’t win the curtain war! 2nd suggestion I saw others make suggestion to paint your shelves....if it really bugs you and they weren’t super expensive I would paint them with a matt black high heat spray paint ( don’t even know if high heat would be needed since not over stove!) you can buy at Home DePot...just do one and if you hate it .....you haven’t ruined all! We used oak wood ( they cut the lengths we needed them) and black pipe from plumbing section in Home DePot to do our shelves over by my stove wall and they look great....our shelves are 12” deep ....you can do deeper just may need more then one board...we just clear coated the shelves so we have natural wood and black pipe....I love it! Ours are 6’ long and we have 3 shelves and all toll maybe two hundred dollars.....( the oak was $10 bucks a linear foot) Your kitchen does look lovely....thank you for sharing your story ....I certainly identified with it😊kim

THANK YOU for sharing. I am starting a reno project and this video was very helpful.

All I can hear is her hair rubbing on the mic

So this is a small spaced kitchen to you...? Wow.. My kitchen doesnt even have room for a two door fridge let alone a kitchen island...and a dining table ☺ Beautiful kitchen if I could leave a suggestions more color makes it a bit warmer and maybe some bigger green plants

I recently had my kitchen remodeled too. I agree about the counter depth sized refrigerator. That’s what got because of my small sized kitchen. Big mistake! We do use a second small refrigerator out in the garage. Your kitchen looks beautiful !