economie

10 mistakes you’re making when renovating and decorating your kitchen

October 14, 20240
Gigliotti recommended avoiding statement backsplashes.

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In a June edition of the pair’s videos, Gigliotti said patterned tiles and statement backsplashes are one of his “icks.”

“They’re giving Airbnb core, trying to be quirky,” Gigliotti said.

While patterned backsplash tiles were previously a popular option that was widely showcased across social media, interior designers told Business Insider in 2023 that they had started being replaced by simpler designs.

Gigliotti added, “I do like printed tiles that are handmade or authentic and real from other countries, obviously, but it’s those screen-printed-on geometric shapes and floral shapes that I really can’t stand.”

And while there are exceptions to every rule, backsplashes are “not something that you need to be loud with,” he said, so when in doubt, keep it simple and don’t add a scalloped edge.

Brushed gold or brass hardware could come across as cheap.
Gigliotti and Gaskill agreed that waterfall islands feel cold and heavy.

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In another TikTok, Gaskill said kitchen islands with waterfall edges — that is, a countertop that continues down the edges of a kitchen island and to the floor — read as cold and heavy, adding that he thinks it’s because of the scale of islands in homes.

“I think for kitchen islands, just do wood on the sides,” he said.

Gigliotti said in super-modern homes, waterfall edges could look great. But otherwise, matching the wood on the island to your cabinetry or having painted cabinets and a wooden island are quality options.

“It just looks way better and more homey,” Gigliotti said.

The pair agreed that homeowners should avoid islands where only one side has the waterfall edge, too.

You don’t need to keep all your appliances out on display.
Appliances don’t need to have their own design moment.

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From squiggle outlet covers to lemon-yellow toasters, everything can be a curated design moment, but for Gigliotti, that doesn’t mean everything should be.

“Things don’t need to be a focus, so if you have a microwave, just get one that blends into the space. It doesn’t need to be hot pink with cups placed on top of it and cookbooks,” he said.

“Just have a microwave and it is what it is. I use my microwave every single day, but I’m not making it the highlight of my space,” Gigliotti added.

This also means you can skip purchasing fake vintage or retro appliances.
Strip lights aren’t necessary on top of your kitchen cabinets.

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As much as everyone loves some added ambiance, Gigliotti and Gaskill say it’s unnecessary in every room of your house.

“Why does the top of your kitchen need to emit red light?” Gigliotti asked.

If you really want to add some colorful lighting to your space, Gaskill recommends choosing color-changing light bulbs rather than strip lighting.

Taking on too many DIY projects can be costly and actually make your kitchen look worse.
Prioritize functionality and authenticity when decorating.

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“When it’s overly styled, with six cookbooks stacked there and then a little jar that you’re never going to use and never touch, I think that just doesn’t look lived in,” Gigliotti said.

Instead, prioritize functionality and authenticity when styling by adding whatever it is that you actually use frequently, whether it’s dishes like cups and bowls, or various utensils.

“I think our generation is now, all beige, beads cascading on a tray on your coffee table with pampas grass. It’s just like, if you’re using a wooden spoon every day and it’s functional for your kitchen, that’s going to look so much better when it’s authentic,” Gigliotti said.

Ultimately, their favorite inspiration is personality-filled homes from movies like “Julie & Julia” and “Practical Magic.”

“The house from ‘Practical Magic’ is so cozy, and it just feels so rich and it has so much character to it,” Gaskill said. “I aspire for that to be how my home is. I don’t want people to come in, and it looks like a CB2 catalog. I want it to feel like, ‘Oh, this is Ethan, this is his home.'”

And finally, you can skip any provocative decor.
Skip provocative decor choices.

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Neon signs with expletives, molds of crude gestures, pillows and paintings with drug references, and alcohol-themed pieces aren’t cute, especially after college, Gigliotti and Gaskill say.

“It just gives I’m trying really hard to be cool or different or like get attention,” Gaskill said, adding, “The less hard you try to do something statement-y, the more you’re probably actually going to be like really cool and impressive.”

“Shock people with how chic you are, how about that?” Gigliotti said.