Introduction
A beautiful kitchen isn’t just a pretty space of cabinets, pretty countertops and pretty modern appliances. It should also make everyday tasks easier, provide sufficient storage space and make it easier for people to move around during the cooking process. That’s why it’s important to know the golden rule for kitchen design and make the right choices before you begin your kitchen remodel.
The answer is: Kitchen design according to the way you use it, instead of the way you want it to appear. A functional design minimizes excess motion, places highly used items easily within reach, and provides a pleasant environment for cooking, cleaning and family assembly.
The kitchen work triangle is a traditional concept to this, connecting the sink, the refrigerator and the cooking area. This can still be done effectively, but other options can exist in a modern kitchen as there may be one or more islands, multiple cooks, additional appliances and open living areas.
This guide teaches you the basics about kitchen design, frequent planning pitfalls to stay away from and inexpensive strategies for making a practical, comfortable, and stylish kitchen.
Apply Golden Rule of Kitchen Design. Follow the Golden Rule of Kitchen Design
The first rule of kitchen design is to design the kitchen according to the need, the working pattern and the ease and comfort, not decoration. The kitchen should enable the activities carried on in the kitchen on a day to day basis.
Consider how you cook before choosing cabinet colours or counter top materials. Do you cook from the scratch? Do you get together to cook? Have space available for children to eat breakfast and/or complete their homework? The most appropriate layout will be dependent on your answers.
A Designated Kitchen should provide:
Refrigerator, sink and cooking area easily accessible.
- Space for food preparation.
- Storage that is similar to the cookware, groceries and small appliances.
- Safe and comfortable pedestrian walkways.
- Adequate lighting when preparing and doing dishes.
- Easy to maintain durable surfaces.
For instance, those who cook regularly might find that a spacious preparation area next to the cooktop and sink is preferable. A home with an interest in fast foods may be interested in low-level storage, easy-to-clean surfaces, and convenient placement of appliances.
This design will not suit all. The size of a house kitchen is different from that of a large family kitchen, which requires different solutions.
The idea behind this is to come up with a list of the top three problems in your current kitchen before any changes are made. Solving those problems should guide your design decisions.
Utilize Kitchen Work Triangle as a Planning Guide
The kitchen work triangle concept is a classic approach to kitchen design which connects the three essential areas:
- Refrigerator: Place to store fresh and frozen foods.
- Sinks: Wash produce, clean dishes and get water from.
- Cooking area: Space in which cooking, preparing hot food or operating a cooking appliance takes place, such as a stove or cooktop.
These are designed to be used in locations where common uses of the kitchen will not require as much movement as possible.
Imagine preparing dinner. Food items are taken out from the refrigerator, cleaned at the sink and set on the counter next to the cooktop. If these areas are logically located, the task can be accomplished without having to cross the kitchen area more than once.
The work triangle is, however, a recommended guideline, and not a rule in all cases. In today’s kitchens, there’s no shortage of sinks, there can be a separate oven, a large island, or more than one person working at a time. Instead, in this scenario, it may be more effective to plan specific work zones instead of a dogma-like triangle.
When planning your layout things to keep in mind are
- Maintain a convenient connection of large work areas.
- Don’t obstruct commonly used routes.
Keep doors to appliances open to allow access to the appliance. - Allow adequate counter space in the vicinity of the sink and cooking surface.
Consider how the family members use the kitchen.
The aim is not to make a perfect geometric form. It’s to make routine activities easy and familiar.
Choose Your Layout to suit your space.
Kitchen layouts impact on storage space, counter space and space for movement. One of the most crucial aspects of a renovation is selecting the best arrangement.
Common layouts include the following.
| Kitchen layout | Best suited for | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| One-wall | Small apartments and compact spaces | Limited counter and storage space |
| Galley | Narrow rooms with two parallel work areas | Keep the central walkway comfortable |
| L-shaped | Small to medium kitchens and open-plan homes | Plan corner storage carefully |
| U-shaped | Kitchens needing substantial storage and counter space | Avoid making the central area cramped |
| Island layout | Larger kitchens with room for circulation | Requires sufficient space around the island |
| Peninsula layout | Kitchens needing extra worktop or seating space | Plan access around the peninsula |
Vertical cabinets are a great way to get additional storage space, and one wall kitchens are often seen in smaller spaces. A galley layout can be very efficient as the work areas are grouped together.
The L-shaped kitchen offers flexibility, and may be able to accommodate a dining table. Easy access must be provided at the same time as a U shape can be used to provide enough storage space.
An island can be of great value in providing additional workspace, but it should not be shoved into a space that is not large enough to safely accommodate the island.
Design advice: Take measurements of the kitchen before purchasing new appliances or kitchen cabinets. Install door swings, drawers, windows, and space for appliances to be open for easy access and room to move around.
Schedule your Items in Organized Storage
A good kitchen is functional and features easy access to products; you don’t have to sift through several cupboards and drawers. Did not only purchase cabinets as they appeared excellent, but organized storage for your daily routine.
First, sort objects by the way and where you use them.
- At the cooking area: Keep pots, pans, cooking utensils, oils and frequently used spices.
- Close to dishwasher/sink: Place dishwashing materials, cleaning products, dishes and glasses in appropriate places.
- Near refrigerator: A counter area where loading and preparing food ingredients are done near the refrigerator.
- Pantry: Keep dry foods, canned foods and baking supplies within easy reach.
Consider solutions such as pull-out shelving, deep drawers, trays, organizers, and adjustable shelving. The possibilities can prolong the life of cabinets that can be used without having to be replaced.
Vertical storage is another option for smaller kitchens. Tall cabinets, wall-mounted rail or shelving can save significant amount of counter space, if not in the way of movement, then in terms of hard-to-reach storage.
Keep large pots or pans within easy reach in cabinets. Keep away hazardous materials from children and store away cleaning chemicals from foods.
A sensible storage plan will help to reduce any clutter and each item that is used regularly will have a sensible place.
Make Counter Space and Work Zones a Priority
A counter is an essential for cutting vegetables, mixing ingredients, making beverages and putting away the groceries. Though it is a kitchen that makes a statement, it can be an aggravating room without a space that is easy to work with.
When setting up your countertop, determine the most common places where food is prepared. The sink and cooking area should be equipped with helpful work surfaces, if available.
- The kitchen can be divided into areas such as:
- Store in: refrigerator, freezer and pantry.
- Preparation Area: Free counter surface for washing, chopping and mixing.
- Cooking Zone: Cooking Utensils, Cooking Surface, Oven and Heat-safe Work Surfaces.
- Cleaning area is the area around the sink, dishwasher, drying area and cleaners.
- Serving zone: Space for food arrangements and/or food service.
These Areas do not have to be rooms or even whole rooms, but could be isolated counters. They simply give you an idea of what tasks and equipment to plan.
Never over load any surface with other decorations or appliances. Store frequently-used items within easy reach and store other items in appropriate storage areas.
If you have limited counter space use a portable cart, a sink cover work surface that fits the sink or an appliance garage. Make sure that any extra surface is solid and appropriate for the activity.
Choose and use lighting to promote all activities
Lighting should not be an afterthought in kitchen design, but rather a key component of the overall design. Lighting can affect the ease with which food is prepared and corners or work surfaces may be uncomfortable to work at.
- A well designed lighting plan incorporates ambient light, task lighting and accent lighting as needed.
- Lighting is general and offers overall light to the room. These may be installed on the ceiling or recessed lights.
- Task lighting is light that is used to light specific work areas. Under-cabinet lights will help illuminate counter tops at which you chop food or work through recipes.
- Accent lighting lights up a certain object, such as a kitchen island, a backsplash or an open shelving unit.
- The amount of natural light is also an issue. Make sure there is no obstruction to windows; consider the varying light conditions during the day when selecting cabinet colours and the colour of countertops.
Fit fixtures and fittings suitable for their context; ensure that any electrical installation or fitting is installed by competent electricians and is suitable for the circumstances. Wet areas, such as sinks must be approached with electrical safety.
One of the best places to begin is to enhance the light fixture above the busiest countertop. This can help to make the kitchen a more comfortable environment even if there are no changes in the kitchen’s layout.
Employ durable materials and easy to clean finishes
The quality of the kitchenware should be as expected according to your budget, your cooking style, cleanliness and usage.
Counter tops, cabinet finishes, flooring and backsplashes have various types of wear and tear. Before deciding on the type of product that should be bought, think about the environment in which the product is to be installed.
Natural stones must be re-sealed, for example. Some laminate surfaces are not suitable for high temperatures. Sometimes it’s necessary to use a paintbrush to touch-up painted cabinets, or to clean up textured surfaces more often.
Use these guidelines when comparing materials:
- Follow manufacturer’s directions for cleaning and maintenance.
- Make comparisons to heat, stains, scratches and moisture resistance.
- Make sure flooring is suitable for the situations and traffic levels.
Choose finishes that will complement the light and colors in the kitchen.
Read warranties and instructions for installation. - Consider repair/replacement expenses and part availability.
Practical doesn’t necessarily equal the most expensive. Perhaps a medium range surface with a longer medium term is better than a high dollar surface that will require more maintenance than you desire.
To coordinate your design, select a few coordinating finishes. You can achieve a nice balance without too many competing patterns by using warm wood cabinets, a light counter top and a simple backsplash.
Be aware of Safety and Comfortable Movement
The kitchen should be arranged so that people can move freely and dangerously and to reduce non essential hazards. This is particularly important if more than one family member is using the same kitchen or children are regularly in the kitchen.
Do not clutter walkways, especially those that are frequently used. Do not leave appliances, doors or paths open to access next to bins, chairs or movable carts.
Here are some safety tips to remember:
- Avoid reaching across hot cookware to get handles and controls.
- Ensure proper ventilation of cook stoves.
- Wipe spills up immediately; use appropriate non-slip flooring.
- Safely store knives and cleaning products.
- Store hot pans and sharp objects out of the reach of children.
Make sure electrical outlets and equipment is suitable for the location. - Comply with local building, gas, plumbing and electrical codes.
- The location of the appliances matters, as well! Open oven doors which open to a narrow hall can form an uncomfortable obstruction. Similarly, the refrigerator’s opening should be large enough to access shelves and drawers.
Keep the number of bends or reaches to store items to an absolute minimum, use pull-out shelving, use task lighting that is suitable for the task, and easy to grip handles for access.
They might not be as apparent as a new backsplash, but these things can make the kitchen safer and more user-friendly every day.
Layout colours, cabinetry and design elements
Once layout, functionality has been established, aesthetics can be addressed. It’s important to create a sense of purpose in the kitchen with a cohesive color scheme, but you don’t have to have everything perfectly matched.
Work on large surface areas like cabinets, floors and counters first. These are all subject to replacement costs and you will want to select the finishes you think you will still want to use for years.
Then move on to other features such as handles, wall finishes, faucets, pendant lighting and decorations.
For a modern warm kitchen, you may want to choose cream cabinets, natural wood and a light-colored countertop. Dark blue or green cabinets flanked by lighter colors for an interesting contrast. Textured tiles, one-of-a-kind hardware, or a nifty accent hue will add style to the neutral kitchen.
Remember to account for room size. A darker color palette could appear more dramatic in a modestly sized kitchen that doesn’t have a huge amount of natural light, while a lighter color palette could help to make a brighter impression in a smaller, less well-lit space. But the lighting and contrast itself is as much a part of the color as the color is.
Don’t select an outfit from each of the various styles. A good overall colour scheme usually gives a more harmonious appearance.
The design that best reflects your style and interests and is appropriate for your lifestyle is the most successful design.
Make the most of common kitchen design pitfalls
Even the best kitchens can suffer from design shortcomings when design emphasis is given to appearance. There are some common pitfalls to avoid, which can save money and time.
Fashion to function
The beautiful cabinet arrangement is of no use, if it cannot be easily accessed. Defining storage and work spaces prior to selecting decorative elements.
Ignoring measurements
There must be space for the doors of the cabinets, the appliance doors and the drawers to open. Always take and verify cabinet clearances from your cabinet supplier/designer.
Putting a big island in the wrong place.
If you have an island that does not have the space for any maneuver, the entire kitchen is impractical. Consider a peninsula or movable cart if the space is limited.
Providing insufficient lighting
One light will cast shadows on the work surfaces. Provide suitable task lighting at food preparation and cleaning areas.
Underestimating the budget
Deliver, install, plumbing, electrical, repair, and waste removal are possible renovations. Make sure you have an Emergency fund for unexpected expenses.
Forgetting to ventilate and maintain.
When cooking there are the elements of heat, moisture and airborne particles. Select appropriate ventilation and materials when cooking.
Following every trend
Trends change over time and it can be expensive to replace kitchen cabinets and counter tops. Don’t include too many major features, and add in current styles with more easily updateable elements.
With a well thought-out budget you can invest your money into your home where it belongs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one thing that must be kept in mind while designing your kitchen?
The rule of the ‘universal principle’ is that it must be more than pretty, it has to serve a purpose and move. Design your kitchen’s design, space layout, storage areas, lighting and safe working space around the kitchen as you use it.
What is Kitchen work triangle?
The “work triangle” connects the refrigerator, sink and cooking area. It is designed to be efficiently used day to day, and these areas are easily connected to each other.
Does it make sense to have a work triangle in each kitchen?
No. The work triangle is a very useful planning tool, but may not be applicable to all today’s contemporary configurations. It could be useful to conceive a Functional Area in the kitchen if you have more than one cook or an island.
Which kitchen design will be best?
Not all homes will be the best layout for everyone. Compact spaces can be a one wall kitchen or galley kitchen, while L-shaped, U-shaped, island and peninsula layouts might fit different sizes of spaces and family needs.
How to determine the appropriate size of kitchen counters?
The recommended quantity is dependent on the house, family size and cooking methods. Have enough counter space available around the sink and cooking area, and seek advice from a kitchen designer prior to getting cabinets.
How can I make my small kitchen the most practical?
If space permits store items on shelves, use drawer organizers, and think about lighting and using small appliances. Provide ample counter space and plan a space that will provide easy movement around the area without over adding.
What is the most prominent step while kitchen remodeling?
The first things you should do are to measure, set your budget, look around the existing plumbing and electrical and see if there are any big problems that need to be fixed. Prior to choosing materials, appliances and finishes to decorate, decide on cabinet and appliance locations and positions.
What are the ideas to make a budget friendly kitchen?
Refinish appropriate cabinets, update appropriate hardware, enhance lighting and storage as per existing layout where possible. Do a plumbing and/or electrical move, but only if it is required.
Conclusion
The golden rule of kitchen design is to design a functional space first, and then get concerned about style. Any kitchen will have the following features and a good design will have all of these: layout, organization, storage, counter space, lighting, materials and safety.
The kitchen work triangle layout can be beneficial when designing the refrigerator, sink and cooking area layout, but the best arrangement will depend on the room and household. Functional zones may be more suitable for larger kitchens or larger family sizes.
It’s not necessary to go on a massive renovation spur to enhance your kitchen. Apply problem solving skills to resolve real-life problems, make accurate measurements and select finishes to suit lifestyle and budget. With a good design and a beautiful appearance, your kitchen will be comfortable, beautiful and functional for many years.