But your guests do.
Here are six things guests notice about your kitchen.
And if any feature isnt reflecting your home in the best light, weve got tips for fixing it.
Whittney Parkinson Design
Lighting
YinYang / Getty Images
Not enough light, and your kitchen seems closed.
Too much light, and your kitchen starts to look like youre working in a fast food restaurant.
Guests immediately notice if the space feels dark or harshly lit, says Chiprut.
YinYang / Getty Images
The solution?Ambient lighting.
Adding several lighting sources can also help brighten the room while maintaining a comfortable atmosphere.
Thinkrecessed lighting, task lighting under cabinets, and decorative fixtures.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Need a quick fix?
Bring in some table lamps, ideally cordless ones, and dim the lights if you could.
Countertop and Cabinet Clutter
Designers agree: cluttered countertops and cabinetsare the worst.
Casa Watkins Living
A cluttered countertop can stand out for all the wrong reasons, Chiprut says.
Julee Ireland, a Santa Monica-based interior design architect, agrees.
To me, theres nothing more unappealing thancluttered countertopsor disorganized cabinets and pantries, Ireland says.
Clutter and disorganization create a sense of chaos that can make people uneasy.
Declutter those countertops before guests come over.
Chiprut suggests incorporating storage solutions that conceal frequently used items but keep them accessible, likeappliance garagesand pull-out shelves.
What are the seating options available to them?
Thoughtfully designed, comfort-driven furniture is guaranteed to turn headsespecially in the kitchen, Dunn says.
