In this video I’m walking you through common kitchen design mistakes that look amazing in photos… and then quietly ruin your day-to-day life. I start with the “no upper cabinets” trend, which I keep seeing online. It can look airy and minimal, but if you don’t have a big kitchen (or a butler’s pantry hiding off camera), ripping out your only real storage is, in my opinion, a terrible mistake—especially if you ever plan to sell. I also talk about why I’m wary of bold, trendy backsplashes (I love them in someone else’s kitchen), and what I consider more timeless tile choices. Then we get into practical layout issues like the comically tiny island—yes, there’s a minimum size, but clearance around it matters even more. From there I go on a little trash talk: if your garbage or compost is permanently on display, it’s not doing your kitchen any favors. I also cover flooring (tile isn’t your only option), why paneled appliances create a more cohesive, flush look (and how DIY can make it more affordable), and why a cheap builder-grade faucet can be the biggest injustice to a beautiful renovation.