Whether you’re starting fresh or updating your layout, these five mistakes are common. The good news? They’re all easy to avoid. Especially if you work with a kitchen designer.
This image was generated with AI, but we all have seen a kitchen that just makes you wonder what the thought process was – or if there was one.
Kitchen Cabinet Mistake #1: Putting Style Before Function
It’s easy to get caught up in paint colors and door profiles.
But if the layout doesn’t work for the way you cook, move, or store things, you’ll feel it right away.
Ask yourself:
Do you need deep drawers for pots and pans?
Will you have enough upper cabinet space for pantry items?
Are you maximizing every inch of storage?
Start with how you use your kitchen, then build around that. Style should come second to function—always.
Be honest, if your kitchen often looks like this (no judgement here) you may want to choose a cabinet style and finish that is easy to clean and not something ornate and fussy.
Kitchen Cabinet Mistake #2: Overlooking Durability
That dreamy white matte finish? It might not hold up to sticky fingers, spills, or everyday wear.
Not all cabinet materials or finishes wear the same way.
Some scratch more easily. Others show every fingerprint. Some wipe clean in one swipe.
Ask questions about the finish and materials before you commit.
Will it stain?
Is it easy to clean?
How will it hold up over time?
This is where performance really matters. You want cabinets that stay looking good—not just on install day, but five years later too.
We love when homeowners with a mid-century home keep the original style. Working with the layout, creating an up-to-date and cohesive kitchen.
Kitchen Cabinet Mistake #3: Forgetting to Match the Style to Your Home
Modern slab doors. Farmhouse beadboard. Slim Shaker. There are tons of beautiful styles—but not all of them work in every home.
Look at the bigger picture.
What’s the architecture like?
What kind of trim, flooring, and lighting do you already have?
Your kitchen should feel like it belongs in the house.
Transitional styles are often a great middle ground—clean lines with just enough detail to feel timeless.
Even if you love a certain style, a designer can help make that fit within the existing architecture of your home with some fusion flair.
Say goodbye to a drawer full of utensils clanking around. This organizer keeps everything in it’s place.
Kitchen Cabinet Mistake #4: Skipping Interior Storage Features
It’s what’s inside that counts, right?
You don’t have to go wild with every organizer on the market—but a few smart features can make a huge difference.
Think about:
Pull-out trays for deep lower cabinets
Vertical dividers for cutting boards and baking pans
Built-in trash/recycling – do not skip this!
Utensil and spice drawer inserts
Once you’ve had a pull-out shelf, you’ll never go back.
The pull-out trash bin cabinet and the spice organizer pull-out are two of the most common additions to a Decor kitchen.
Kitchen Cabinet Mistake #5: Skipping the Pros
Cabinets seem simple—until they’re not.
Even if you have a clear vision, a cabinet designer can help make sure everything fits, flows, and functions properly.
They’ll catch the small things you might miss, like:
Whether the dishwasher will block the cabinet next to it
If a drawer will crash into your oven handle
Or if you’ve accidentally created a dead corner with no access
Our final thoughts on these kitchen cabinet mistakes...
Your kitchen cabinets are one of the most important parts of your home.
They set the tone for how your kitchen looks—but even more importantly, how it feels to live in.
Avoid these five common mistakes, and you’ll be on track for a kitchen you’ll love for years, and not have regrets about.
Need help figuring it out? Find a kitchen designer near you.
