31 Tacky Kitchen Decor Things We All Do But Should Stop Immediately – The Worst Kitchen Designs
They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. If that's true, these homes are in serious cardiovascular decline because their kitchens are in terrible shape. Not only are they visually unpleasant, but they also have issues in terms of functionality. Whether its a dining table blocking the oven or a fridge sitting in the middle of the room, there's no explaining these design fails. Read on for kitchen designs that are so horrendous they just might show up in your nightmares.
The Newlywed Backsplash
Putting up wedding photos around the house is a wonderful way to remember the special day. Turning said wedding photos into a backsplash, on the other hand, is a wonderful way to destroy a kitchen design.
The collage-style backsplash looks more like the cover of a high schooler's binder than it does a sophisticated design. If both the bride and groom thought this was an idea worth carrying out, then they truly do belong together.
An Island Oven
Many kitchens have an island, but that usually means a countertop with drawers underneath. This one has a lone oven sitting in the middle of it that only serves to confuse the design.
We know that the oven wasn't merely placed in the center of the room by accident because it even has drywall surrounding it in the shape of an L. That means someone must have deliberately installed an electrical unit into the unusual addition so it would be fit for an oven.
A Rainforest Cafe
The first and most obvious thing that's wrong with this kitchen is it's dreadfully overgrown with plants. While we can appreciate all that plants have to offer to a space, they shouldn't be so prevalent that they're in the way.
Next, what is with the pink cabinetry and the velvet red chairs? It looks like the kitchen of a Valentine's Day enthusiast. Lastly, if you look closely, you'll notice that the bar top melds into the countertop so that the far right corner is completely inaccessible!
The Piano Range Hood
Range hoods can be a classy addition to any kitchen by giving it a formal feel. This kitchen designer thought it would be clever to take it one large step further and create a range hood out of a piano.
While they get an A for innovation, we can't say we'd feel comfortable cooking in this kitchen. It's nerve-wracking enough to have a heavy mirror looming over you, let alone a heavy piano clinging to the wall!
The Detached Fridge
Unlike the last refrigerator, this one you can at least get into. The problem is that it's sitting in the middle of the living room. It has a similar design to the island oven we saw earlier, only this design is even more ostentatious!
The drywall that's surrounding the fridge looks like a box that they may as well have extended to the ceiling. The designer would have been better off placing the fridge at the end of the bar top so it would at least look like it's part of the kitchen.
The Multipurpose Room
We can't exactly say that this is a kitchen because it could also be rightfully deemed a laundry room or a bathroom. All of the different purposes make this space all the less functional.
Just imagine trying to do laundry in the same area you're cooking while someone else decides to take a shower. Since the room is tiny, all of the appliances are miniature so that the shower can barely fit a human and the cabinets would be inadequate for most plates.
L-Shaped Drawers
As they say, don't fix something if it isn't broken. While it's clear that this designer wanted to come up with a unique way to build drawers, they were working fine in their usual, rectangular shape.
This L-shape, while creative, doesn't make much sense in terms of functionality. Afterall, it's a terrible use of space. Rather than having four drawers stacked, you only have two. Plus, they're in shapes that few kitchen items would easily fit.
The Inaccessible Fridge
We'd like to say that this oven is blocking the fridge because it's oversized, but it is actually quite small. Plus, the stovetop is flush with the counter to its right, suggesting that the cutout was measured to the right size on one side, but not the other.
Clearly, whoever designed this kitchen was under the impression that refrigerators are still the same size that they were back in the 1950s. That, or this kitchen exists in New York City where you're lucky to even have a fridge and oven.
Mismatched Patterns
This kitchen looks like it was constructed out of spare parts from other kitchens. The patterns are completely mismatched, including tile and brick wallpaper and a speckled pattern against wooden cabinets.
If that weren't enough, the material of the countertops and cabinets don't match. Additionally, the floating cabinets are staggered like stairs for no reason. Another questionable aspect of this kitchen is what looks to be a range hood lying out on the countertop.
Got Chandeliers?
The first thing that is noticeable about this kitchen is its light fixtures. For whatever reason, this kitchen designer thought it would be a good idea to have multiple mini-chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
If that weren't unsightly enough, the rest of the kitchen is mismatched so the cabinets don't match the wooden range hood. Additionally, the cream color of the range hood clashes with the bright white island. The layout at least has potential, so all this kitchen needs is a makeover.
An Inhabitable Kitchen
The first question that immediately dawns on us looking at this kitchen is how do you access it? While the kitchen itself is open, it's overcome by what looks like a pool table topped with a tile pyramid.
It would be difficult to eat at that table even if it were in a formal dining room. In terms of the kitchen's style, it looks extremely dated with its flat, white cabinetry and brown, tile backsplash.
The Bathroom Kitchen
At first glance, we would swear that this was a bathroom. But a closer look reveals a built-in microwave and minifridge, neither of which belong in a bathroom. It must feel odd to prepare food next to the bathtub.
The designer has managed to make a room that has natural light pouring in feel dark. The black tile and darkly stained wooden cabinetry are a heavy combination that the cream-colored walls do little to offset.
A Food Washing Station
As hard as it is to believe, this space is a kitchen. The large tub and sink don't exactly look like that of a bathroom on account of their retractable faucet heads and the stainless steel material.
Plus, the cabinets over the tub would make it difficult to maneuver. A closer look at the round cabinet to the right reveals a tiny teapot, further insinuating this is a kitchen. Next to the window is also a table that we imagine is meant for eating.
A Lone Oven
This kitchen isn't too bad comparatively speaking. At least it is clear it's a kitchen, and the light wood of the cabinetry complements the bright window. Obviously, the lone oven is an eyesore.
The white and black tile floors aren't helping the overall aesthetic, either. In order to correct this kitchen, it would likely need to be gutted and redesigned entirely. While they're at it, it wouldn't hurt to redo the mismatched floors and repaint the mint green walls and pink doors.
Island Pillars
Admittedly, this kitchen is gorgeous to an extent. The open concept floorplan makes the space feel spacious and bright. The tile floors give it a Spanish feel while the white cabinetry is simple yet classy.
The fault in this kitchen is the pillars sticking right through the island. We'd imagine they're acting as support beams, but they disturb the functionality of the island. Also, it's a little creepy that all of the windows are fogged glass.
Shower In The Kitchen
We can't figure out this trend in placing bathroom items in the kitchen! Here we have a slender shower stall placed in the kitchen where you might expect a fridge to be.
Even worse, the shower is blocking access into the cabinetry in the corner. Tucked next to the stall is also a sink that would be awkward to wash your hands in, let alone do the dishes. The floors are split between gray tile and hardwood and there's a serious lack of countertop space.
Inaccessible Drawers
This kitchen's design flaw is so baffling that we almost think it was done on purpose as a practical joke. The cabinetry features drawers that aren't flush with the wall, but rather go right through it.
Pulling these drawers open would be literally impossible unless there was a trick access point that we're unaware of. Additionally, the style looks like something out of a dated medical office rather than a comfortable space in a home.
A Busy And Cramped Kitchen
At first glance, this kitchen doesn't seem as terrible as some of the ones we've seen. It has some promising features, like the bartop and the separate dining space. On the other hand, the octagon shape of the kitchen offers little space to move around.
Once you open the dishwasher door, there'd be almost no room for even one person! We also have to wonder about the unusual window design with the frosted car and people.
Too Close To Open
This kitchen is full of poorly-designed access points that make it challenging to get into everything from the oven to the cabinet. In the top left photo, it's clear that the laundry door needs to be closed to get into the fridge.
The photograph below shows that the oven is so close to the fridge that it can leave a dark mark from the repeated friction. To the right, a simple sprinkler head prevents a cabinet from opening to the full extent.
Never Have Guests Over Again
It's awkward enough when you have unexpected guests over and your bathroom isn't clean. But what about when your bathroom is in the kitchen? That's just wrong. We're not sure if we should blame the contractor or the homeowner for this design disaster. Whoever decided that this was a good idea clearly doesn't have company over often.
If someone invited you over for a home-cooked meal and you saw that the toilet was located next to the stove... well, it's a little off-putting to say the least!
A Kitchen Bedroom
Studio apartments can be a great way to afford your own space. However, this one is so tiny that we'd probably share a room in a house or apartment before going with this option. The kitchen is completely overrun by the mattress, which can't be more than a full size.
Sitting between a dresser and the kitchen countertop is a dining table that can't even sit one person comfortably. While the kitchen design isn't too shabby, it's clear the room is in desperate need of more space.
A Mattress-Style Kitchen
This kitchen looks like it was modeled after a mattress on account of its unusual cabinet material. Not only is the design confusing to look at, but it also doesn't make sense from a cleaning perspective.
There's a reason some people refuse to eat in bed: fabric soaks in spills. That's why most kitchens are covered in hard surfaces. Just imagine cooking spaghetti and meatballs in this space and stressing about not splattering the sauce!
An Automatic Headache
This kitchen design was clearly chosen for the sake of originality, but we have to say that it fails terribly. The zigzag cabinet design isn't only hard to look at, but it also wastes space and limits the amount of storage that the kitchen has to offer.
Likewise, the unorthodox shape of the island means that it has less countertop space for food prep or bartop dining. Additionally, the lime green and deep red overly embellish the design so it's hard to look at without feeling a headache emerge.
A Laundry Room Kitchen
It's a rare sight to see an oven sandwiched between a washer and a dryer. There's something unhygienic about cleaning your clothes in the same place that you prepare food. Furthermore, there is absolutely no countertop space in this kitchen.
Is the person living here supposed to dice their veggies on top of the dryer? Plus, the limited cabinetry means they would have to store their laundry detergent in the same vicinity as their dishware, and without drawers, it would be a cramped storage space.
A Safety Hazard Bartop
This kitchen would be gorgeous and functional if it weren't for the jagged bartop. It looks like a shark came through and took a giant bite out of half the countertop! The edge looks sharp enough to be a safety hazard, especially around little ones.
We would guess that the designer was trying to put a creative twist on the elegant space. Ultimately, they ended up stealing attention from the classy aspects of this kitchen and placing it on a confusing addition that serves little purpose.
A Halloween Kitchen
This kitchen looks like something you'd find in the film The Nightmare Before Christmas. While Halloween lovers may call this their dream kitchen, we think it's a little overkill to have as an everyday part of the house.
The unpolished, wooden cabinets are shaped like coffins and done in an amateur manner. While we can appreciate the detail that's gone into the spiderweb design up top, it ultimately serves no purpose and comes off tacky.
A Kitchen Closet
This kitchen looks like a rundown storage closet filled with appliances. The bland cabinets are void of style and have rusting handles. To the right of the sink is a washing machine despite the absence of a dryer.
To the right of the washing machine is an oven that is the greatest evidence that this even is a kitchen. In the far, right corner, a refrigerator is sitting atop the counter! Just imagine having to mount the countertop every time you need something out of the freezer.
Pattern Overkill
This kitchen is difficult to look at because it has so many patterns. It looks like it was modeled after a quilt. The busy designs make it confusing to find the handles of the drawers and cabinets.
The over-the-top decorations crowd the room, which was already small, to begin with. The island at least offers more countertop space. At the same time, the island is much too large for the kitchen, hence its leaves must remain folded down.
A Protruding Oven
Aside from being cramped, this kitchen isn't too terrible. Its U-shape design offers ample countertop space and a bartop to eat breakfast or chat with guests while preparing a meal.
The problem is the placement of the oven, which is protruding above the bartop. The unsightly design fail is hard to ignore and impossible to miss. The only way to remedy the tacky design would be to eliminate the bartop and put up a wall.
Seating For 40
This would be a glorious kitchen if it weren't overrun with seating. Our first instinct is that this is a temporary setup meant to accommodate a large wedding party. But if you look a little closer, you'll notice that the tables and chairs are built-in!
Speaking of chairs, how do you even sit in these ones? They seem to be attached to the seat so that they can't be pulled out or sat in.
A Tile-Filled Kitchen
We're going to go out on a limb here and guess that this homeowner really loves color. While the design tiles make for a lovely outdoor addition, inside the home they can come off as busy.
Especially with the electric blue cabinets and oven, the kitchen has too much going on. What makes matters worse is that the area looks out to an equally busy living room that features bright pink walls and black and white stripes.
Follow our brand for more content like this
