10 Kitchen Cabinet Mistakes That Make Designers Cringe

Pros say the key is balancing style and function.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:29pm

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A highly stylized, abstract grid of brightly colored, silkscreen-like kitchen cabinet door handles in neon shades of pink, green, and blue, conceptually representing the design principles of balancing function and form in kitchen cabinetry.Designers emphasize the importance of balancing storage needs with maintaining an open, airy kitchen aesthetic.Los Angeles Today

Regardless of the kitchen cabinet style you choose, be sure to account for negative space in your layout. Maximizing storage isn't the only factor that matters, as cramming walls full of cabinets can make them the focal point and block sight lines.

Why it matters

Kitchen cabinets are a major design element that can make or break the overall look and feel of a kitchen. Designers emphasize the importance of balancing storage needs with maintaining an open, airy aesthetic.

The details

According to Sophia deDomenico of the Los Angeles-based design firm Et Sal Interiors, 'Cabinets are a weighty finish, which draws the eye and creates a focal point. When you cram the walls full of uppers, lowers, and pantry cabinets for the sake of fitting every little trinket behind a door you just made the cabinets the star, blocked all your sight lines, and subdued any other feature in the kitchen.'

  • The article was published on April 7, 2026.

The players

Sophia deDomenico

A designer at the Los Angeles-based design firm Et Sal Interiors.

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What they’re saying

“Cabinets are a weighty finish, which draws the eye and creates a focal point. When you cram the walls full of uppers, lowers, and pantry cabinets for the sake of fitting every little trinket behind a door you just made the cabinets the star, blocked all your sight lines, and subdued any other feature in the kitchen.”

— Sophia deDomenico, Designer, Et Sal Interiors

The takeaway

Designers emphasize that while storage is important, it's crucial to balance cabinet usage with maintaining an open, airy kitchen design that allows other features to shine.