The 7 Biggest Small Kitchen Decorating Mistakes, According To Designers

When designing a tight space, there’s less margin for error. Even the bittiest decorating misstep can make limited square footage feel more cramped, so it’s important to make savvy design moves that maximize the area, rather than shrink it. Here are some of the biggest decorating offenders in small kitchens, according to Southern designers.

Saying Yes to Everything

Even for those of us who tend to skew more maximalist in our design preferences, it’s worth acknowledging those situations when less really is more. “I think with any small space, it’s important to practice restraint,” says Dallas decorator Noel Pittman. “It may be tempting to include every bell and whistle during the planning phase, but keeping it simple in smaller spaces is a good idea. I try to think about what will still be functional and pretty in 10 years time.”

Choosing a Bitty Sink

Sometimes, what sounds counterintuitive is actually the right choice. “I think there can be a tendency to choose a tiny sink in small kitchens, but that can be a big mistake,” says Great Falls, Virginia, designer Lauren Liess. “Small sinks that aren’t quite large enough to easily wash dishes make a small kitchen feel even smaller because it makes the process of washing dishes feel more difficult. Forgoing a little countertop for a good-sized, functional sink is absolutely worth it.” 

Going (Too) Big on Appliances

In the same vein, pay attention to scale. “If your kitchen is small, the refrigerator, range and hood should scale down accordingly,” says Dallas designer Jean Liu. “ It can be overwhelming to walk into a small space and feel like these appliances are looming.”

Piling on the Lighting

Don’t go overboard on decorative fixtures for the sake of making a statement.  “Less is more when it comes to lighting in a small space,” notes Bo Massey of Bohlert Massey Interiors in Inlet Beach, Florida. “I think it's better to only have task lighting instead of several competing lights.”

Skimping on Drawers

Smart storage is a must-have in a workhorse space like a kitchen, and while the cabinets-versus-drawers preference is a personal one,  Jacksonville, Florida, designer Andrew Howard, has strong opinions about what’s most functional: “For me, in a kitchen, drawers are always the most useful and a lot of times you see one drawer over two-door [cabinets].” says Howard. “ I think if I did a small kitchen it would be almost all drawers.”

Overlooking Shelving 

Andrea M. Taylor of Dallas-based Andrea Marino Design has her own preferences about practical storage. “Rather than adding upper cabinets which are weighty and take up more space, consider opting for shelving instead,” she says. “This will make your ceilings appear taller while also taking up less space and making the room feel more open without sacrificing storage.”

Playing It Safe on Personality

“[One] pitfall is to think small kitchens don’t need all the same kind of details, accessories, or finishing touches like a normal or large kitchen might,” notes Liu. “For example, just because a space is small, inject it with the same level of personality and point of view as any other part of the house. Pick a great paint color; find a way to display some beautiful accessories or a small piece of art; splurge on a beautiful hand soap or lotion to really elevate the overall look and feel.”