Kitchen Design: How to Avoid a Dozen Pitfalls

By: Barbara Winfield, This Old House magazine (Page 6 of 6)

cartoon of problematic to-the-ceiling cabinet storage

Photo: Mark Matcho

To-the-ceiling cabinet storage is great, as long as you have an easy way to scale the heights.

cartoon of woman trapped in steam from corner sink with cabinets

Photo: Mark Matcho

A corner sink with cabinets overhead can create a trap for steam when it's time to pour out a pot of hot water.

a cartoon of a dishwasher with noise bouncing off hard kitchen surfaces, and homeowners holding their ears

Photo: Mark Matcho

In a kitchen lined with hard surfaces, dishwasher noise can rise to practically deafening levels.

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How to Design a Modern Kitchen

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey, host Kevin O'Connor, and kitchen designer Martha Fay discuss the elements that make up today's kitchen

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What You'll Learn:

4 Steps to Fewer Regrets

1. Invest in the best quality materials and workmanship you can afford. A shoddy job will have to be redone sooner, creating more waste and costing you more in the end.

2. Know your needs and plan ahead. Choose materials that will stand up to kids, clean freaks, dogs—whatever's "real" in your world.

3. Listen to the experts. Kitchen designers, architects, and fellow remodelers all know things you need to learn—the sooner, the better.

4. Go with your gut. If you're second-guessing yourself now, chances are you'll be smacking yourself six months down the road.