- Georgina Wilson, from Sydney, has over 20 years of experience in home design
- The architect recently shared her top kitchen renovation tips
An architect has listed the worst mistakes homeowners make when renovating their kitchen.
Georgina Wilson, from Sydney, has over two decades of experience in home design, and has seen many clients make choices that they have to correct during future renovations.
The top Australian architect has advised against following outdated layout trends, placing pendant lights over a kitchen island, and buying the ‘wrong’ kind of dishwasher.
Georgina also wants homeowners to prioritise drawers over cupboards and refrain from installing a sink or cooktop on their kitchen island.
1. Don’t limit yourself to ‘outdated’ kitchen designs
Georgina often sees many homes fall victim to the ‘kitchen work triangle’ which was first introduced in the 1940s.
The idea is that when the sink, fridge, and stove are close to one another, the kitchen will be easy and efficient to use, cutting down on wasted steps.
However, there are several exceptions to the rule and modern homes are no longer designed to support that layout.
Instead, Georgina recommended people focus on the triangle of ‘bins, sink, and dishwasher’ to make their time in the kitchen more seamless.
Georgina often sees many homes fall victim to the ‘kitchen work triangle’ which was first introduced in the 1940s
Instead, Georgina recommended people focus on the triangle of ‘bins, sink, and dishwasher’ to make their time in the kitchen more seamless
2. Never put pendant lights over your kitchen island
The architect claimed that hanging pendant lights over a kitchen island – where food is usually served – is an aesthetic faux pas.
‘It looks like a warming station,’ Georgina said.
3. Don’t buy a ‘normal’ dishwasher
‘I’ve just discovered commercial dishwashers that are the size of residential dishwashers,’ the architect shared.
While the dishwashers are more expensive, they often have three-minute cycles that could see your dishes washed and dried before you finished wiping down the countertops.
‘I’m obsessed,’ Georgina said.
‘Drawers provide much better capacity and access, and if you optimise it properly, you can eliminate your upper cupboards altogether,’ the architect advised
4. Never prioritise cupboards over drawers
Cupboards can be tricky to manoeuvre, especially when they’re overhead.
‘Drawers provide much better capacity and access, and if you optimise it properly, you can eliminate your upper cupboards altogether,’ the architect advised.
5. Never put your sink or cooktop on your kitchen island
Placing anything on your kitchen island will limit its functionality.
‘Your kitchen island is many things: a buffet at Christmas, extra dining table for when the entire family comes over, and a fantastic prep bench.
‘If you put your sink or cooktop on it, you compromise these functions.
‘I know there people who insist on having [a stove or sink] on your island so that you can socialise with guests – but how much time do you actually spend at your stove top versus prepping on your kitchen island?’ Georgina noted.
Georgina shared that placing a sink or cooktop on your kitchen island will limit its functionality
Many were grateful for Georgina’s insight and thanked her for the advice.
‘I will never unsee pendant lights looking like a warming station – thank you for saving me from that!’ a woman said.
‘I agree 100 per cent about the island – I hate when all that precious space is taken up by a sink,’ a man wrote.
‘Thank you, I hate having my sink on the island! It’s so hard to hide a mess from guests,’ a mum said. ‘It’s also really awkward for a buffet.’