Erin Napier's Atypical Kitchen Layout Proves Compromise Is Key During A Reno

Small kitchens can present many layout challenges, especially if you want all the modern conveniences that bigger kitchens easily accommodate. Even pros like HGTV's Erin Napier sometimes have to break the rules of kitchen design to fit in all the appliances a homeowner needs, as viewers saw in one episode of "Home Town." In this episode, however, instead of putting the dishwasher next to the sink for a busy single mom, Napier put it across from the sink, which raised a few eyebrows.

Erika Dale, Interior Designer and Founder of Erika Dale Interior Design, who spoke exclusively to House Digest, thinks this is a good example of compromises that sometimes need to be made. It may be typical to put the dishwasher next to the sink for practical reasons, but it's not always possible. Dale says, "The dishwasher is typically placed next to the sink to allow you to stand at the sink and have the dishwasher at arm's reach for easy loading without having to walk or twist around to do so. In addition, dishwashers are plumbed to your garbage disposal or sink's drain lines so close proximity allows for easier and less expensive connections."

While some consider deviating from the standard placement for a dishwasher a major mistake, Dale disagrees in her exclusive chat with House Digest. "While this dishwasher layout is not typical, sometimes special accommodations must be made in small spaces or older homes, where you may not have the space or flexibility to install the dishwasher next to the sink in the usual way, especially if the dishwasher is a non-negotiable for a kitchen update," Dale says.

Ultimately, it's important not to get too hung up on the rules, and instead prioritize functionality for your needs. "Though it is not ideal that you cannot walk by the dishwasher when it is open, the reality of a kitchen this size is that the scenario would be the same no matter which cabinet you choose," says Dale. But if a dishwasher is a must, then compromise is necessary. While there are many ideas for making your small kitchen look bigger, functionality should come before aesthetics.

While compromise is often necessary for those without oversized kitchens, a little creativity can go a long way. Dale, speaking exclusively to House Digest, has other suggestions for people looking for space-saving options in their kitchens. For instance, she advises, "Homeowners in a similar situation can also look into a smaller 18-inch-wide dishwasher if the narrower width allows it to be moved next to the sink."

Typically, next to the sink may be considered the best place for your dishwasher, but it is not always an option. If a smaller dishwasher will not work beside your sink and you need to locate it in a less traditional spot, placement is key. Dale points out a crucial decision the team at HGTV's "Home Town" made to make the small kitchen more functional: offsetting the dishwasher so it is not directly behind the sink. Because of this choice, she says, "the homeowner can stand alongside the open dishwasher while loading in the same way they would if the washer were right next to the sink."