'Relegating the ego' is important for kitchen design ★★★★★

Published on: 15/02/2011

The presenter of a home redevelopment show has warned kitchen designers about the perils of idiosyncratic over-personalisation.

Amy Matthews, who presents a television programme called Sweat Equity - which shows on the DIY Network - says "sustainability" is the watchword for kitchen design.

Journalist Jane Dagmi, of design website ShelterPop, discusses the television presenter's views on kitchen design in an article about kitchen trends to avoid.

"Relegating the ego to easily removable decor such as dinnerware, window shades, or peel-and-stick wall decals, rather than semi-permanent elements like tile and wallpaper [is important]," she writes.

Ms Dagmi condenses the overall rules surrounding kitchen design down to a memorable, alliterative maxim: Recycle consciously, Refine gradually, Regret minimally.

As well as suppressing individuality, other hot tips from ShelterPop for home kitchen designers are to focus on functionality as much as aesthetics. Ms Dagmi warns against just choosing colour-schemes, appliances or fittings just because they are attractive.