Pro Chefs Reveal the Kitchen Design Trends They Despise – You'll Be Surprised!

Pro Chefs Expose the Worst Kitchen Design Trends

We consulted professional chefs to uncover the most impractical kitchen design trends that look great but fail in functionality. Here’s what they had to say.

Pure White Countertops: A Maintenance Nightmare

Chef Christopher Hensel warns against all-white countertops—they show every crumb, coffee ring, and stain. Marble with veining is a smarter choice for disguising daily messes.

Too Many Deep Drawers: A Storage Hassle

Recipe developer Marissa Stevens points out that deep drawers are impractical for pantry storage. Items tip over, and accessing tall bottles becomes awkward. Pull-out shelves in cabinets work better.

Skinny Islands With Built-In Sinks: A Splash Disaster

Chef Hensel criticizes small islands with sinks—water splashes everywhere, making prep work frustrating. If your kitchen is small, skip the island sink altogether.

Oversized Islands: A Space Waster

Stevens highlights that giant islands without enough outlets defeat their purpose. Ideally, an island should be no more than 10% of your kitchen’s square footage.

Open Shelving: A Grease Magnet

Both chefs agree: open shelving is high-maintenance. Cabinets protect items from grease, steam, and dust, especially in poorly ventilated kitchens.