# What designers hate & why **URL:** \ **Category:** Cabinetry\ **Created:** [September 11, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771 "2025-09-11T16:39:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Onyxx](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Onyxx](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Onyxx)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/1 "2025-09-11T16:39:09Z")
1. Poor Layout The “working triangle” (sink, stove, fridge) is ignored, so workflow is inefficient. Not leaving buffer counter space next to major appliances (e.g. nowhere to put a hot tray out of the oven, or setting down items beside fridge). Insufficient clearance between counters or work zones (tight aisles, cramped movement). 1. Quartz Countertops (over-relied upon / default choice) Designers say clients request quartz so much that it loses its impact. Some designers prefer natural stone for its character (texture, variation) that quartz often lacks. It’s not “bad” universally, but many believe there are better alternatives depending on aesthetic and functional priorities. 1. Cabinetry Crimes Upper cabinets that stop short of the ceiling: leads to an unfinished look, or owners fill that gap with “faux ivy or decorative tchotchkes.” Too many cabinets: wrapping every wall can make the kitchen feel bulky, cramped, or like a “builder grade” kitchen. Too much open shelving can be beautiful in photos, but real life brings dusting, clutter, and loss of enclosed storage. High-gloss finishes on cabinets tend to show fingerprints and smudges too easily. 1. Leaving Trash Exposed Having a freestanding bin or trash area in view undermines the clean, cohesive look designers go for. Better: incorporate hidden or pull-out trash/recycling/compost bins into cabinetry. 1. Skipping Task Lighting (only ambient/recessed lighting) Good general lighting isn’t enough: tasks like chopping, cooking, reading recipes need dedicated lighting (under-cabinet lights, pendants, sconces etc.). Without layering, shadows, glare, poor visibility, and discomfort are common. * * * How to avoid these pitfalls (practical tips) Start with flow & layout first: Before choosing finishes or appliances, map where people move, what tasks happen where (prep, cooking, cleaning). Plan “zones”: cooking, cleaning, storage, socializing; make sure each has enough space and the transitions between zones are fluid. Choose materials that balance look + maintenance: natural stone, durable wood, or textured finishes that hide wear. Smart cabinet design: top cabinets to ceiling if possible, or use crown moulding/trim to make it look finished. Mix open & closed storage. Use pull-outs, drawers, organizers. Integrated trash/recycling systems: pull-outs near sink or prep areas are especially helpful. Lighting in layers: Start with general lighting. Add task lighting where needed. Accent lighting for aesthetic effect. Dimmers help. ![stephanie-martin-interior-designmartinleedesign-canmore2023-final-014-685d96440d1be](https://renovation-reviews.storage.googleapis.com/original/2X/7/74d21ef6492fb6bf51d95f00544d16f4d9d50abf.png) ---
**Author:** ![Yungstar](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/y/71c47a/32.png) [@Yungstar](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Yungstar)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:39pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/2 "2025-09-11T16:39:48Z")
Really good work brother ---
**Author:** ![Chick-asaw](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/chick-asaw/32/1735_2.png) [@Chick-asaw](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Chick-asaw)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/3 "2025-09-11T16:40:03Z")
Thanks for sharing this here ---
**Author:** ![Succy](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Succy](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Succy)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:45pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/4 "2025-09-11T16:45:59Z")
Your message spreads love, hope, and inspiration. ---
**Author:** ![tayzer14](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/tayzer14/32/1866_2.png) [@tayzer14](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/tayzer14)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/5 "2025-09-11T16:48:01Z")
Nice article this, good to know ---
**Author:** ![Bianca](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Bianca](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Bianca)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/6 "2025-09-11T16:52:39Z")
This is really impressive ---
**Author:** ![Jakurasmith](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/jakurasmith/32/585_2.png) [@Jakurasmith](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Jakurasmith)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/7 "2025-09-11T16:53:02Z")
That’s very insightful ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_Michael1](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/tim_michael1/32/6294_2.png) [@Tim\_Michael1](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Tim_Michael1)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/8 "2025-09-11T18:08:46Z")
Wow nice artcle buddy Thansk ---
**Author:** ![Bobby\_Michael](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/bobby_michael/32/2057_2.png) [@Bobby\_Michael](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Bobby_Michael)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/9 "2025-09-11T18:21:33Z")
You’re making sense buddy ---
**Author:** ![Michelle\_Brown](https://home.renovation.reviews/user_avatar/home.renovation.reviews/michelle_brown/32/2325_2.png) [@Michelle\_Brown](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/Michelle_Brown)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/10 "2025-09-11T21:35:43Z")
like how simple yet classy it looks. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelRobert](https://home.renovation.reviews/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MichaelRobert](https://home.renovation.reviews/u/MichaelRobert)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2025, 9:36pm UTC](https://home.renovation.reviews/t/what-designers-hate-why/35771/11 "2025-09-11T21:36:06Z")
wow so renovational man