Interior designer shares 9 things she’d never choose for a kitchen—and better alternatives

Plan the room carefully

Mari avoids black cabinet pulls, choosing oil-rubbed bronze when she wants a dark finish. Its warm undertones, she said, can help the hardware feel balanced in a room.

An island is not suitable for every kitchen, particularly one that is small or awkwardly arranged. Mari recommends consulting a designer about scale before committing; a traditional island may not be the right choice.

Make cabinetry feel intentional

Cabinets that end just 2 to 3 inches below the ceiling can look like a design mistake, according to Mari. For taller ceilings, she said, it may look better to leave a more noticeable gap rather than a few inches.

Mari favors color over an all-black-and-white palette. She suggests taking inspiration from clothes a person enjoys wearing, saying those colors may also work well at home.

Choose materials and appliances

Mari prefers natural materials such as stone and wood to synthetic alternatives. These surfaces can develop a patina with age, while manufactured materials do not tend to wear in the same way.

Quartzite is among her favorites for its strength and durability, and she also likes marble. She recommends visiting a stoneyard, selecting a stone that appeals to you and building the kitchen’s design around it.

She advises spending more on quality appliances when possible, noting that she sees lower-priced models break or arrive damaged. For a higher-end appearance, she prefers panel-ready appliances integrated into cabinetry; retro-inspired styles are another option.

Light for comfort, not trends

Mari cautions that a kitchen can have too much lighting. She prefers wall-mounted sconces, small lamps and other task lighting to create a warm, cozy feel. She does not follow kitchen trends unless they suit her taste and needs. Colorful under-cabinet lighting strips and mosaic-tile backsplashes can work, she said, if the homeowner likes them and they fit the way the space will be used. For Mari, kitchen design should reflect each client’s needs and lifestyle, rather than follow a trend simply because it is popular.