House Beautiful checked in with kitchen designers that  have seen it all, from stainless-steel overload to poor-quality cabinetry. Here are a few of their the dos and don’ts of kitchen design.

Do: Have one element that’s fun or creative. For example, in the photo above, the unique stone installation behind the Capital Range top is very creative.

Don’t: Be boring.

“The best kitchens have a soul or a spirit that’s warm, inviting, and personal,” designer Mick De Giulio says.

Do: Know when to stop. The clean, simple design of the white kitchen above is lovely.

Don’t: Overdo it.

“It drives me crazy when a kitchen is over-designed. Knowing when to stop is the real challenge,” designer Christopher Peacock says.

Do: Make a small kitchen work for you. Like in the image shown above, where open shelving was created for more storage.

Don’t: Think bigger is always better.

“A well-designed kitchen with high-quality materials and thoughtful details can make even the smallest space suit you perfectly,” designer Tish Key says.

Do: Leave some space to breathe. In the photo above, the openness above the sink makes the room seem bigger.

Don’t: Go overboard with storage and fill the walls with cabinets.

“There’s rarely a need to completely fill a room with cabinets. A good layout is a balancing act between storage, function, and aesthetics,” designer Robert Bakes says.

For a full list of the dos and don’ts, click here.