With the right ingredients and enough passion, a great meal can come from a kitchen of any size. Big doesn’t always mean better—but functional? Now that can make all the difference in the world to a chef, and even more so, to a home cook. To figure out how to make the most of any kitchen space—and what common kitchen design mistakes to avoid—we sat down with Peter Munzer, a 30-year construction industry veteran and owner of Mount Pleasant Kitchen and Bath since 2016. According to Munzer, who sold his showroom after 15 years in New York to move to the Carolinas, he learned the ins and outs from his own father. One of the biggest takeaways? When designing a kitchen to work in with ease and functionality, it’s all about the internal cabinet organization. It may seem trivial but take a moment to think where everything you use—at every stage of cooking—comes from. That’s right, your cabinets. From pullout towers ideal for storing knives, spices, and other utensils to ample storage for your pots, pans, and mixing bowls, it’s imperative to have a system that’s easily accessible. Design with height and width in mind: What height do you want your spices? How can you make your storage work for you? What will offer the most organizational benefits without taking up too much space?

Munzer, who has been designing and building kitchens for the last 20 years has a few more insider tricks up his sleeves, though. When asked about his top five tips for kitchen redesigns, he answered without pause:

• Design In practical zones rather than the previously accepted “triangleapproach” to kitchen layouts. In short, this expands on the idea that there are only three zones (hence the triangle: sink, stove and fridge) and prompts you to consider how multiple people can work and enjoy space in the kitchen at the same time.

• Design for your preferences and needs now, instead of the common “resale benefits” people often consider. Doing so allows you to enjoy your kitchen while you own it, rather than customizing it with the hopes that it fits the wish list of potential buyers in the future.

• When choosing countertops that look incredible, are easy to clean and guarantee longevity, opt for quartz countertops. You’ll never be disappointed.

• Choose full extension drawer glides with soft close features and soft close hinges on the doors. Parents of little kids or distracted teenagers will thank us later.

• Even when keeping your budget in mind, splurge on quality hardware every time. It can make or break the look of cabinets and doors in any space.

And please, don’t forget the trash can pullout, as Munzer explains that this is frequently the most overlooked element in an initial kitchen design or remodel. That’s why you hire the pros, though. To help guide you through the nuances of designing and building the kitchen of your dreams.

At Mount Pleasant Kitchen and Bath, they specialize in full-service design for interior finishes, so you never have to worry about choosing the wrong cabinetry, countertops, hardware, flooring or fixtures again. Schedule a consultation to sit down with Peter and his team in their own design showroom to help you begin the process of creating a kitchen you’ll love to cook in once and for all.