You've been warned – these are the 5 biggest kitchen mistakes designers always have to fix, plus what to do instead

An open-plan kitchen with a high ceiling and three pendant lights hung above the kitchen island.

The beginning of the year always makes you start thinking of projects you want to achieve, and if a kitchen renovation is at the front of your mind, now is the best time to start planning. However, a kitchen is a big investment, so you want to go into the process armed with tried-and-tested knowledge of what hasn't worked for other people.

And who better to advise on the biggest kitchen mistakes that people make when planning a kitchen than designers themselves? These experts have insight into the very things that homeowners complain about the most when it comes to their kitchen designs, whether it be their choice of layout, kitchen storage fails or a lighting mistake that adds to daily frustrations.