If you’re considering a kitchen remodel or even just a refresh, you’ve likely got your eye on what’s been trending. Adding new life and energy to a lived-in space can be exciting, but contractors stress focusing on practicality and safety over trends. As you finalize your kitchen reno plans, keep in mind these four problematic kitchen trends that contractors wish you would stop doing.
There are pros and cons to almost any renovation, but some design decisions could be worse off in the end than others. So, if you’re in the process of giving your kitchen a new look, consider the below trends carefully before you go all in.
Putting aside the design debate on this layout, Sergey Nikolin, president of Product Air Heating & Cooling in Snohomish County in Washington State, offers a more practical reason for not wanting your kitchen as part of an open floor plan. He says that walls and barriers between rooms act as “airflow checkpoints” that help ventilation systems work more efficiently by containing the smoke and odors in a single area.
Taking down walls as a DIY project could unintentionally cause problems. “Air currents from an open layout distribute odors and moisture unpredictably, often to upper floors or HVAC returns,” Nikolin explains. “Smoke and cooking odors can linger throughout the home, negatively impacting air quality and potentially triggering respiratory issues,” he adds.
This issue is compounded in open layouts where steam disperses more widely, finding unexpected paths to settle. “Moisture doesn’t just collect on visible surfaces; it often migrates into hidden spaces like wall cavities.” he says. Nikolin says that steam or grease particles, which are often byproducts of cooking that settle in the kitchen or throughout the home, can “lead to mold growth or even [the degradation of] insulation materials.”
Hidden Electrical Outlets
It may seem like a great idea to maintain the style of a kitchen by keeping outlets hidden in cabinets or drawers, but this can be a very dangerous way to go and a great way to up your risk of fire. “Concealing them in places like drawers for a clean aesthetic might seem clever, but it increases the risk of fire if appliances are left plugged in and the drawer is closed, overheating cords or plugs,” Nikolin says.
Taking on any electrical task as a DIY is risky, according to Chance Harper, a Frontdoor virtual generalist expert. He warns that if you’re not using the proper wires or materials, this could cause damage or issues down the road.
“Primarily, plaster is a material that can be easily damaged by water, liquids, and cleaners,” Harper says. He points out that if you cook using your stove often, you’ll likely see staining on the plaster hood. Harper adds that the porous material could be susceptible to mold, and you could even have issues where your hood degrades over time.
If you’re a seasoned DIYer who wants to upgrade their vent hood, Harper has an alternative: “You might want to consider microcement as it is water resistant and more durable,” he says.
DIY Glass Door Installation
Installation of glass bifold or accordion doors in kitchens makes experts nervous. For one, these doors are incredibly heavy. “Consider pristine, clean glass panels — they create an elegant airy space, but they need a lot of support,” says George Matusyan, a home improvement and maintenance specialist at United Windows Pro, which has locations in Colorado and Illinois.
According to Matusyan, incorrect installation, like a poorly built frame or track system, can result in sagging, broken doors, or even a complete collapse. “We’ve seen DIY projects end in broken glass and collapsed walls: a costly, potentially [dangerous] disaster,” Matusyan says.
