Interior designer Jordana Ashkenazi warns homeowners against prioritizing trendy kitchen features over functionality. Ashkenazi, from Element One House, emphasizes that successful kitchen design centers on practicality and longevity, not fleeting aesthetics.

Function Over Form

Speaking with the Daily Mail, Ashkenazi argued that many popular kitchen upgrades ultimately prove more frustrating than impressive. She advocates for a “function first, then beauty” approach, cautioning against gadgets and trends that don’t seamlessly integrate into daily life.

Upgrades to Avoid

Ashkenazi specifically advises against several commonly sought-after kitchen elements. Sparkling water taps, while appealing, often suffer from performance issues and are rarely used enough to justify their cost and upkeep.

Boiling water taps are only worthwhile if they reach a true 100 degrees Celsius, a detail often overlooked. Induction hobs with integrated extractors are deemed ineffective due to heat and steam rising, rendering the downward extraction futile.

Maintenance Concerns

Solid wood worktops, despite their beauty, require constant maintenance to prevent marking and staining. This can turn the kitchen into a space demanding excessive care. Push-to-open cabinets, offering a sleek look, are prone to marking and can become unreliable over time.

Lighting and Walls

Ashkenazi discourages single statement lighting pendants, which often create shadows and lack sufficient illumination for cooking. She stresses the importance of layered lighting for optimal functionality.

Similarly, flashy feature walls are flagged as a potential regret, as they quickly date and reveal the trend cycle of the kitchen’s design.

Timeless Design is Key

Ashkenazi suggests prioritizing timeless and elegant finishes for long-term investments, introducing personality through styling rather than bold, short-lived choices. A kitchen should be a hardworking, low-maintenance space that enhances daily life, not a source of frustration.

Ultimately, the key is to create a space that remains both functional and aesthetically pleasing for years to come, avoiding the pitfalls of chasing fleeting trends.