I see the same 5 kitchen mistakes as an interior designer – a common storage issue is a dust trap and waste of space

NO matter the size of your kitchen, it may always feel like you don't have enough space.

An interior designer shared the five most common mistakes she sees people make when laying out that area of their homes.

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In her video, Olivia Caplan (@oliviacaplandesign) broke down why each design choice is hindering your kitchen.

For her first tip, she advised her audience to bring their units all the way up to their kitchen ceiling.

The TikToker pointed out that leaving a six-inch gap between the top and the ceiling creates "a dust trap and it’s grim to clean because it gets greasy and dusty and horrible."

Olivia highlighted a second issue with this particular design layout.

"It’s wasted space and when there aren’t many wall units, that would’ve been a great place to maximize storage," she explained.

"Running your units all the way up is so much more efficient and leads to masses of extra storage.

"It looks far more bespoke and high-end as well as being more practical."

Next, Olivia addressed a specific type of lighting that she described as "hideous and unnecessary."

"Don’t get me started on these horrible things, spotlights, do not do this, one, it's a waste of money, and two, it will make you feel like you’re living in a hospital," she said.

Instead, Olivia recommended incorporating statement lighting or lamps into your space.

She also explained the importance of mapping out your kitchen in advance.

"It’s very often the island that people get wrong when they’re mapping out their kitchen," Olivia said.

"I would really urge you to map everything out as much as you possibly can to make sure everything is functional."

Next, the decor expert discussed the use of color in kitchens.

"I so often see people making the mistake of being too shy, too careful, and a bit safe with color," Olivia said.

"You don’t need to create a fluorescent pink kitchen or a wildly vibrant kitchen that will potentially go out of style."

Instead, she recommended adding a subtle yet interesting splash of color through your space.

Finally, Olivia encouraged her audience to consider storage when planning out their kitchens.

"So often I see kitchens where they have gone ahead with a very expensive payment and they have been design-led and gone on aesthetics," she said.

"Before you sign off on your kitchen you need to plan every single unit to the nth degree."

Olivia added that the best way to elevate your home is to plan it thoroughly.

"My point is plan, plan, and plan again otherwise you are wasting money," she said.

Her followers shared their thoughts on the advice in the comments section.

"You are so spot on with not planning your storage," wrote one viewer.

"I can't stand spotlights either, the multiple shadows in all different directions just look horrible," said another TikTok user.

"I like the idea of a lamp, it will make my kitchen more cozy," commented a third person.

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