7 things people regret most about their kitchen design

Most of us use our kitchens every day, so even the smallest design flaw can become a source of serious irritation.

From layout to lighting and storage to sockets, these are the kitchen upgrades people regret most, according to our survey of more than 400 Which? members.*

Visit our guide to the best kitchen brands to discover those with the most durable ranges, the best customer service and more

1. Choice of flooring

The choice of kitchen flooring was the most common regret people told us about in our survey. 

One key issue was the floor being difficult to clean. 'The vinyl planks I chose have an "embossed" grain effect into which dirt becomes ingrained,' said one member. 'The only way to shift it is by scrubbing with a brush by hand.' 

Respondents with either very dark or very light-coloured floors reported that they showed dirt easily, especially around the sink and cooker, where splashes and spills often leave marks. 

Other concerns included creaking floorboards, a lack of soundproofing and tiled floors causing breakages when ceramics or glassware take a tumble. 

You should also consider the thermal properties of your floor – although tiles are very durable, they tend to feel a lot colder than wood or laminate. 

Our guide to the different types of wood flooring offers advice on laminate, parquet, wood-effect tiles and more

2. Not enough storage space

Not having sufficient cupboards and drawers to stash pots, pans and food was a regret for 4% of kitchen owners in our survey.

This was also the second-most-common concern when we ran the same survey in 2023.**

A kitchen refit is the perfect time to maximise your storage space – consider deep cupboards to store appliances such as air fryers, pull-out shelves for easier access to corner cupboards, and built-in spice racks. 

Don't forget to think about storage for smaller items, too: 'The current fashion for large, deep drawers rather than cupboards with a slim drawer above has left me a bit short of storage for cooking utensils,' said one member. 'I should have included another concealed cutlery drawer.'

If you're looking for more budget-friendly updates, try cheap storage solutions such as under-shelf racks for smaller items, simple wall storage for keeping cooking utensils to hand and storage boxes to help keep cleaning supplies organised.

Make the best of the space you have with our kitchen storage ideas and solutions

3. Kitchen layout

In our survey, 3% of Which? members were frustrated with their kitchen layout.

Issues included the island being too big, a poor seating arrangement around the table, the location of the bin, and appliances that aren't integrated. 

When designing your kitchen, consider the distance between your oven, sink and fridge (often called the 'working triangle' or 'kitchen triangle'). You'll move between these every time you cook, so if they're too far apart or awkward to reach, making dinner won't be as smooth and efficient as it could be. 

If you have other appliances you use regularly, think about the best place to position or store them. Try to keep them as close to your workspace as possible, and don't hide them behind so much clutter that it's a battle to get them out.  

Many kitchen brands have online planners you can use to try out several layouts before making your decision.

Our guide to kitchen planning and layout ideas will help you work out how best to position your units

4. Not enough power sockets

If you want all the latest kitchen gadgets, you'll need plenty of power sockets. However, 3% of survey respondents felt that they didn't have enough.

‘No matter how many sockets you think you need, you'll want more,' one member told us.

You'll need power sockets for all your large appliances, including your cooker and fridge, as well as smaller appliances such as your kettle and toaster. You'll also need sockets for any additional gadgets you want to use. 

You might have a coffee machine, microwave, toastie maker, air fryer, blender and stand mixer, and constantly switching around plugs when you want to use them can be annoying. Plus, overloading sockets can be dangerous.

If you also use your phone or tablet in the kitchen – as a timer or to read recipes, for example – consider adding a USB plug socket, as these can save space. 

Read our advice on how to avoid overloading your plug sockets

5. Poor choice of appliances or cabinets

When it comes to appliances, 3% of survey respondents regretted their choices.

Irksome issues included choosing poor-quality brands and, at the opposite end of the spectrum, putting too much stock into high-spec features. One member told us that the warming drawer on their oven is unnecessary.

Several members reported struggling with the height of a double-stack oven, as reaching to get very hot items from the top appliance can be a problem.   

A further 3% regretted the cabinets they'd picked out. Issues included matt cabinets that show fingerprints easily, a fading finish on cabinets exposed to bright sunlight and poor-quality hardware, which cheapens the appearance of the kitchen. 

See our round-up of the best kitchen brands and best kitchen appliances for our top picks

6. Not enough worktop space

Lack of worktop space was the sixth-most-common regret reported in the latest survey, and the most common issue reported in our 2023 survey.

It can be tricky to balance usable worktop space with room for utensils, the kettle, the toaster and additional appliances such as a microwave, air fryer or blender. If you have appliances that you use only occasionally, keep them in an accessible cupboard instead of on the worktop.

Most of us prepare food next to the hob, so make sure you have enough space here for chopping and prepping. Some small-kitchen owners choose to have a flat hob, so they can place a chopping board on it.

A small kitchen island on wheels can also create extra worktop space when required.

From granite to laminate, read our advice on how to choose the best kitchen worktops

7. Lighting design 

Poor kitchen lighting was a frustration for 2% of our survey respondents. 

The most common gripe was that the position of ceiling lights created shadows over the kitchen worktops, making it difficult to see.

Consider installing strip lighting under wall cabinets to illuminate worktops beneath. Fairly inexpensive LED strips are readily available if you need to retrofit them on a budget.

If you're considering adding a kitchen island, think about lighting before it's installed. Many people now opt for statement pendant lights over an island, or even over the dining table, creating both a stylish focal point and useful task lighting. 

How to design a kitchen

Many fitted kitchen firms offer planning appointments or free online tools that allow you to create your own design. 

Benchmarx Kitchens, DIY Kitchens, Homebase and Ikea all offer free online kitchen planning tools.

If you're designing your kitchen from scratch, make a wish list of everything you'd love to have, and then adapt this to your space and budget. 

Remember to consider your kitchen's constraints, such as its size and the position of doors, windows and plug sockets. If you're not planning any structural work, you'll need to be realistic about what your space can accommodate.

For further advice, check out our kitchen planning and layout ideas. If you're looking to cut costs, read more about buying a second-hand kitchen

*We surveyed 415 Which? members about their kitchens in September 2025

**We surveyed 1,108 Which? members about their kitchens in November 2023