5 Layout Mistakes You're Making in Your Kitchen Rental, According to Designers

Regardless of your culinary expertise, the kitchen is probably the most important room in the house. Since it’s where you do everything from whipping up boxed macaroni and cheese to perfecting a multicourse masterpiece, your kitchen layout should work for you. That means everything has its place, the kitchen itself has a good flow, and you can move through your cooking routine without bumping into your fridge.

It’s easy to think that only homeowners with the time and budget for a home renovation are afforded the luxury of revamping their kitchen’s layout, but you can also do so in a rental. In fact, there are plenty of small layout mistakes you might be making in your apartment’s kitchen that you don’t even realize are making your life a lot more challenging.

Fortunately, a few designers are sharing their biggest kitchen layout mistakes and easy fixes you can make anywhere — yes, even a rental.

Mistake #1: Not Having a Drop Zone Outside of Your Kitchen

While your keys and sunglasses have no business parking in your kitchen, designer Stephanie Mahaney says these smaller items often “creep into the kitchen.” To keep those odds and ends out of your kitchen — and your countertops as clear as possible — she recommends creating a drop zone right outside of your culinary space.

“Add a mirror with a small shelf right outside the kitchen for sunglasses, keys, or phones,” she says. “It’s a great solution that will help prevent clutter on the kitchen counters!”

Mistake #2: Relying On Your Kitchen’s Original Footprint

Just because your kitchen has a few cabinets and drawers doesn’t mean those are the only storage tools at your disposal. If you want to be smart with your kitchen’s layout, regardless of its size, Mahaney encourages you to think outside of the typical four walls.

“If there is an opportunity to add a console or even storage dresser to a kitchen, it can be a lifesaver with counter space and serving space,” she recommends. And why stop there? If your floor space can swing it, add a rolling kitchen island, which can be moved out of the way when you’re not using it.

Mistake #3: Overcrowding Your Counters

Your counters are like the Swiss army knife of your kitchen: They can be used to prepare meals, hold appliances, and display your final product. That said, it’s all too easy to load them up with a lot of stuff — a move that might seem inconsequential, but can throw a major wrench in your routine.

If you want to free up some precious counter space, Cheryl Clendenon of In Detail Interiors recommends thinking vertically. “Use stackable storage, magnetic knife strips, or wall-mounted pot racks to free up valuable counter real estate,” she shares. “Foldable or extendable tables are lifesavers for added workspace when you need it.”

Mistake #4: A Fussy Flow

Let’s be honest: The hardest thing to do in your kitchen should be whipping up something delicious, not navigating every nook, cranny, and corner. To keep your time spent cooking as efficient as possible, Clendenon recommends fine-tuning your flow.

“Designate clear zones for prepping, cooking, and serving,” she says. “Use trays or bins to group similar items together — functional and chic!”

Designer Jen Stevens, of Fonde Interiors, agrees, and notes that it’s crucial to keep the space between those three zones clear. “I see the biggest layout mistake in rental kitchens when the natural flow between sink, stove, and refrigerator is disrupted by poorly placed furniture or portable islands,” she explains. Her solution is what she calls the “ghost triangle,” which includes using a sleek bar cart or slim rolling prep table that can be moved as needed while cooking. (Translation? In rentals, portable pieces are your friend.)

Mistake #5: Poorly Lit Pathway

Speaking of your flow, you need to be able to see where you’re going. Renters may not be able to physically change their kitchen’s footprint, but adding some accent lighting might be the bright idea you were looking for.

“For poor lighting, add under-cabinet stick-on lights, a stylish plug-in pendant, or [a] battery-operated wall sconce for instant brightness,” Clendenon says. Not only can this simple tweak make it easier to navigate your kitchen, but it’ll also serve up some serious mood lighting.

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