Designing your kitchen layout
7 Kitchen Layout Ideas That Work
You may have your cabinets, flooring, tile, appliances, and paint all selected. But what makes a kitchen livable has little to do with the way it looks, and everything to do with functionality.
Blog | Kitchen
Today’s post comes from the home improvement experts at Modernize.
If you’re planning a kitchen, there are a few essential kitchen layout ideas you need to keep in mind as you’re designing and planning.
Before you make any big decisions or get carried away with the aesthetic, here are 7 essential kitchen layout ideas you will want to incorporate to make your kitchen design a success:
1. Reduce Traffic
No matter what, the kitchen is probably going to be a high-traffic area of the house. But there are ways you can get around making the kitchen a catch-all for mail and backpacks and coats.
Create a space before you get into the kitchen, like a mudroom, to control the chaos that can come sweeping in every day. Once in the kitchen, make sure the primary pathway through the kitchen is hazard-free and will not be obstructed by the refrigerator or oven door when open.
Create clear zones for circulation, meal preparation and cooking in your kitchen layout2. Make the Distance between Main Fixtures Comfortable
When laying out your kitchen it’s important to keep the main tasks in mind – preparing, serving, and cleaning up from meals. You don’t want to put the stove across the room from the sink, or the fridge too far away from the stove because that will complicate whichever task you are working on.
Lay out kitchen fixtures and appliances within comfortable proximity to each other3. Make Sure the Kitchen Island Isn’t too Close or too Far
A kitchen island is where much of the meal preparation happens. If your kitchen layout will include one, consider its location carefully. Make sure that it will not block the area in front of your major appliances, such as wall ovens, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
Allow enough space for the appliance door swing plus room to pass when the doors are open. But you also don’t want to place it too far. Make sure your island is located within a comfortable arm’s reach from each of these fixtures.
Keep appliance door swings in mind when placing an island in your kitchen layout4. Place the Sink First
When creating a kitchen layout, many designers place the sink first and then design from there. While this is probably grounded in tradition from the days when people spent a long time scrubbing dishes, it remains a good rule of thumb.
The oven and fridge are vital to preparing meals, but somehow the sink seems to still be the place where we spend the most time. Think about placing the sink where there is a view out a window or into the room. A kitchen island is also a great location for the sink.
Place your sink with a view into the room, out a window, or in a kitchen island for both5. Always Put the Stove on an Exterior Wall
When you’re deciding where to put the stove and oven, remember to put them on an exterior wall rather than an island or interior wall. This will make it easier (and less expensive) to install a proper ventilation system.
Locate the stove or cooktop on an exterior wall for easy ventilation6. Keep Vertical Storage in Mind
Instead of focusing all of your energy on creating enough cabinet and drawer storage, put a little of that energy into configuring convenient wall storage.
Storage walls are a great way to incorporate pantry storage, small appliances, baking accessories, extra china, or even a broom closet – in one convenient location. Open shelves, wall hooks, and overhead pot racks are not only convenient – if stocked with the right stuff, they can also add dimension to the aesthetic.
Think Vertical – Combine storage walls, wall hooks, and open shelves for a mix of functional storage7. Create a Floor Plan and Visualize Your Kitchen in 3D
No matter how much designing, measuring, and pinning to your dream kitchen Pinterest boards you do, your completed kitchen can still come as a surprise once the contractors are finished – and not always in a good way.
Save yourself from costly mistakes and unfixable flaws with a kitchen layout tool. RoomSketcher provides an easy-to-use online kitchen planner that you can use to plan your kitchen layout. Draw your kitchen floor plan, add fixtures, finishes, and cabinets, and see them instantly in 3D!
Visualize your kitchen layout ideas in 3D with a kitchen layout toolGet Started on Your Kitchen Design
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(Image credit: Tom Howley )
Looking to remodel and need new kitchen layout ideas? This professional design advice will help you make the most of your kitchen floor space.
Kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, and you can be spoilt for choice with kitchen layouts and formation options when starting out on a project. The key is to take things slowly, and think carefully about how you use and move within the space.
Also consider how you see your family might use the room in the future. It may be all about food prep now. But down the line, it may need to double as place to finish homework, a 'teaching area' where your kids learn to bake, or a sophisticated entertaining spot.
Practicality is key for kitchen ideas when it comes to the best kitchen layout, and the shape you select should be able not only to accommodate your lifestyle, but enhance it. We've got plenty of food for thought, so go ahead and dive into our layout options.
Kitchen layout ideas
Our guide will explore all the key kitchen layout ideas, but first, clue yourself up on the six types of kitchen layouts that will likely form the base of your space...
What are the six types of kitchen layouts?
There are six key kitchen layouts:
- The galley layout
- The L-shaped layout
- The U-shaped layout
- The island layout
- The peninsula layout
- The one-wall kitchen
1.
Let your habits dictate the layout(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
'Every aspect of the kitchen, how it works and how it is used is based around the layout,' says Sally Hinks, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones. 'When starting to plan a kitchen, the first thing you must think about is how you're going to be using the space, as this will dictate what you need to include. Is your kitchen purely for cooking or will you be entertaining, too?
'Will the space be used as a working from home spot or will the kids be doing their homework in there? It's also important to look at the existing features of the room. In many cases, doors, thoroughfares and windows set the parameters of the layout out and guide suitable options. Many people like to situate their kitchen to make the most of a lovely view outside or to take center-stage in an open plan space, which can be a useful starting point.'
2. Think: practicality
(Image credit: Benjamin Johnston Design)
'The main thing to keep in mind during the layout planning process is practicality,' says Sally Hinks. 'Think carefully about which parts of the kitchen you're gong to be using the most from a cooking perspective and how easily you can move between them. Use the kitchen triangle method as a guide and focus on the refrigerator, sink and cooker as the core elements when mapping out your space.'
For more guidance, see our exploration that answers the question, where should a refrigerator be placed?
3. Use the galley layout for space efficiency
(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)
Galley kitchens are one of the most space-efficient layouts you can choose. They are ideal for keen cooks, and perfect for maximizing storage and work surface space in smaller kitchens. This super-efficient layout is ideal if you are looking for small kitchen ideas that maximize every inch of space.
Allison Lynch, of kitchen design company Roundhouse , says: 'A galley kitchen usually occupies a relatively small space – they are often a walkway between two rooms. An ideal length would be 3. 5 – 5m with space either side of the door opening to allow at least a standard depth countertop.
'Although they tend to be quite small, they are very ergonomic spaces with everything usually within arms' reach – with, ideally, the sink one side and the hob on the other.'
Placing these two important elements centrally within each run of units is the best approach, with the dishwasher on the sink side of the run and the refrigerator on the side of the hob.
4. Share your space with a U-shaped layout
(Image credit: Amanda Evans Interiors)
U-shaped kitchens are an ultra-practical option. They are comprised of countertops on three connecting sides, allowing plenty of room for cooking.
It's one of the most efficient layouts to have in both small and open plan homes alike, and the easiest way to achieve the ergonomic triangle that is so often talked about in kitchen design – where your fridge, cooker and sink are all within easy reach of one another.
It also easily allows for two cooks in the kitchen at once for a team dinner-making effort.
Allison Lynch says: 'U-shaped kitchen ideas work best in spaces ideally from 3 – 3.5m, but remember that the bigger the space the more crossing the room you have to do.'
Larger kitchens can often accommodate the addition of a central island, too, like in this example by Amanda Evans Interiors . With plenty of room for cabinetry and built-in appliances around the edge, the island provides a casual seating area and additional preparation space.
5. Love your corners with an L-shaped layout
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
The most common layout is some sort of L-shape, with at least one straight run. The classic design uses two adjoining walls of a room to allow a continuous flow of worktops and cabinets.
The central area is kept free, so you can enjoy a spacious feel or add an island for extra worktop space and storage.
'L-shaped kitchens are a classic, timeless design,' say the team at Magnet. 'And the open floor space it creates allows the kitchen to be accessible from any angle.'
6. Create distinct zones with an island layout
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
Large kitchens and big families can really benefit from utilizing kitchen island ideas to add extra storage and preparation space.
Multi-use spaces are increasingly sought after, and an island can be used to prepare dinner while also keeping an eye on the kids, as well as doubling up as a socialising area, work space, or homework desk.
'The benefit of an island layout is that it is great for zoning in open plan areas, which is what most people opt for today,' says Roundhouse's Allison Lynch. 'It’s a good piece of social furniture and effectively creates two different spaces, one for cooking and one for prep, with one person at the island and the other at the worktop.
'Another big benefit in an open plan space is that an island can be made to look more like a piece of furniture.
'An island allows free movement all the way around, and people can enter the space from different directions. It can feel less monolithic, a much lighter piece of furniture than a peninsula, and with judicious use of plinth lighting it can be made to look like it is floating.'
7. Use a peninsula to disrupt a thoroughfare
(Image credit: Future / Manolo Yllera)
A kitchen island is wonderful, but if it will create a natural passage through the cooking space from one area to another, such as from the hallway through the kitchen into a garden, kitchen peninsula ideas may be a better choice.
'Consider alternatives to a kitchen island, even if you have space,' advises Homes & Gardens' associate editor Busola Evans. 'A peninsula, for instance, can provide many of the benefits of an island without interrupting the cooking workflow.
8. Choose an L-shaped layout for a party kitchen
(Image credit: Marlaina Teich Designs/Patrick Cline)
If your kitchen tends to be the life and soul of the party, choose a layout that will accommodate abundant entertaining. The open nature of an L-shaped kitchen means lots of space for guests to gather in the opposite side of the kitchen to where the units are based.
As demonstrated in this home with interior design by Marlaina Teich , it is also a great choice for kitchen diner ideas, and open plan spaces that merge into a living area. This kitchen boasts a dining area off one side and a living room off another – the L-shaped layout keeps the kitchen neatly tucked in one corner, while the added island provides connection to the other spaces.
9. Consider appliances early in your layout plans
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
'Another factor that will affect your kitchen layout is the type of appliances and tall cabinetry you want to incorporate,' says kitchen designer Sally Hinks. Tall cabinetry and appliances look strongest standing alone or on the end of a cabinet run, so this can dictate potential layouts during the initial stage.'
10. Make the most of a small space
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
'When designing small kitchen layouts, choose your appliances wisely,' says kitchen designer Sally Hinks. 'Any large appliances such as washer dryers that can multi-task are worth considering. Furthermore, integrating appliances wherever possible will open up the space visually and create cleaner lines. Smaller appliances such as coffee makers and microwaves can be housed in cabinets to free up valuable countertop space, keep surfaces clear from bulky devices and create a more minimal aesthetic.'
11. Make the most of natural light in small kitchens
(Image credit: Emily J Followill/Beth Webb Interiors)
Galley kitchen styles may be great for small spaces and ergonomically sound for keen cooks, but they can have a reputation for being a little dark and pokey. To counter this predicament, be sure to make the most of any natural light coming into the space when planning a kitchen.
In this example with interiors by Beth Webb , a window at the short end of the galley has been extended to stretch from floor to ceiling. The window on the right hand side is free from the constraints of upper level cupboards, meaning that light can travel freely into the rest of the kitchen.
12. Create a ‘Chef’s Table’ experience with a long island
(Image credit: Richard Felix-Ashman Design/Aaron Leitz)
For serious foodies, cooking and serving dinner is the main event, especially when entertaining guests with equally strong culinary inclinations. Upgrade your island’s seating area from a casual breakfast bar to a full-blown dining area, by choosing a larger-than-life island that can accommodate a dinner party.
Bringing guests into the kitchen space can help create a unique ‘Chef’s Table’ experience, as demonstrated in this stunning kitchen in a bar conversion by Richard Felix-Ashman . A large kitchen for entertaining, it also hosts two dining tables for when you want to give a more intimate feeling to a gathering.
13. Bring personality to an open-plan space
(Image credit: Future/Polly Eltes)
'Open-plan kitchens can easily feel disjointed if the different areas aren't carefully linked,' explains kitchen designer Sally Hinks. 'Kitchen islands and peninsulas are a good choice to bring the kitchen out into the room, while accommodating seating areas within an island is a great way of tying dining areas and kitchen spaces together.'
14. Keep kitchen layouts simple to enhance space
(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald/Sara Tramp)
'Using light kitchen color ideas and mirrored backsplashes will open up spaces,' says Allison Lynch. 'Keep things simple. In galley kitchens in particular, keep tall cupboards for dry food storage and the fridge to the ends of the room, and perhaps limited to one side but not both.
'Too many details will crowd the space – keep to simple clean lines and lose the clutter.'
15. Pick storage that's truly ergonomic
(Image credit: Neptune)
Never underestimate the importance of good kitchen storage ideas. Nerine Vacher, kitchen designer at Neptune Fulham in London, advises: 'Effective storage is one of the simplest ways to create a happy and homely kitchen.
'By including a single piece of furniture, like our Suffolk larder (above), a bi-fold cabinet, or even an island, you can completely transform your kitchen, by creating more surface space and keeping clutter out of sight.'
H&G's Busola Evans adds: 'Ensure your bottom units are drawers rather than cabinets. Deep drawers are a more efficient use of space and give easier access to items at the back.'
16. Consider the second work triangle, too
(Image credit: Rikki Snyder)
'I've moved house seven times – and designed seven new kitchens for myself,' says H&G's Editor in Chief Lucy Searle. 'Plus, I've interviewed countless kitchen designers over the years, both for my kitchen remodels, and professionally.
'In time, I've realised that there's a second kitchen work triangle that no one talks about overtly – but it's really important.
'The second kitchen work triangle is between the kitchen sink, the bin(s) and the dishwasher. These three elements need to be as close to one another as possible to make tidying up after dinner as easy as possible. You want to scrape plates, rinse them and stack them all in one easy move, without pacing up and down the length of the kitchen.
'If you can ensure that the dining area is towards that end of the kitchen when planning its layout, too, you'll find it makes life even easier.'
17. Work out storage zones
(Image credit: Martin Moore)
When planning your kitchen layout, one key aspect is to consider how you want to use the kitchen and where you want items to be stored.
Naturally, heavy pots and pans should be kept in lower cabinets, and within easy reach of your oven and hob.
Likewise, mugs should never be too far away from your kettle. In this open plan kitchen, the dining table is in the same space as the kitchen area, so the addition of a tall dresser provides storage for crockery and cutlery, to make laying the table quick and easy.
18. Put in a pantry
(Image credit: Sustainable Kitchens)
Larder or pantry ideas separated from the rest of your kitchen can help keep things clear and tidy, as they are an ideal space to keep store cupboard staples and baking equipment.
In this barn conversion project, the ceilings were low and natural light was limited, so a walk-in pantry was designed by Sustainable Kitchens . It has internal windows and under-counter cabinets only, so that it feels bright and connected to the rest of the kitchen. Automatic lighting makes it extra bright inside.
19. Maximize storage and workspace
(Image credit: Burbridge Kitchens)
Most L-shaped kitchens are fitted onto adjacent walls of a room, creating a practical corner design. They provide plenty of work surface as well as storage, though be mindful of where the two runs of cabinetry meet – the addition of pull-out drawers or an internal carousel will help to avoid wasting useful storage space.
Consider keeping wall cabinets to one side of an L-shaped layout, opting for open shelving on the other so as not to make the room feel overcrowded. If space allows, you could add a dining table.
20. Use your alcoves
(Image credit: Tom Howley)
You are likely to inherit some unusual nooks in older country properties, so taking a flexible approach to your kitchen design may be necessary.
Look for alcoves and recesses that you can build storage into and toss out the idea of a conventional fixed layout. Add single runs of cabinetry wherever they fit best in the space you have to work with, incorporating your appliances in between.
To add to this flexible approach, go for a portable kitchen island or freestanding island design – units on legs open up the amount of floor space on show and can be moved around if needed, too.
21. Build banquette seating
(Image credit: Martin Moore )
Banquette seating ideas mean you can fit more seating into the available space when it is built in to the design of your kitchen.
The fitted, upholstered benches not only provide storage beneath, but are a clever way to hide any unsightly wires or pipework. ‘These are a necessary evil that may have to be boxed in to be concealed,’ says Daniela Condo, designer at Life Kitchens . ‘See if services can be re-routed inside bulkheads, voids or under the plinth of the kitchen.’
22. Enjoy layout flexibility with freestanding furniture
(Image credit: Sebastian Cox X deVOL)
Often found in rustic-style homes, free-standing furniture offers a more flexible approach to kitchen design. It’s a relaxed look, enabling you to add single runs of cabinets around the kitchen to create your ideal layout, incorporating your appliances in between.
This mix-and-match method works particularly well in older, country-style properties where the room may be unusually shaped. Paired with complementary wall-hung cabinets, a run of wooden free-standing cabinets will provide ample storage for small kitchens, as seen in this example by deVOL .
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
A kitchen-diner layout is ideal for busy family households, where both the cooking and dining zones sit within the same design.
‘When planning a kitchen, take inspiration from the existing features in the room, such as doors, thoroughfares and windows,’ says Sally Hinks, kitchen designer at Harvey Jones. ‘Looking at these elements will help you site the table in the best possible position.’
24. Go with the flow
(Image credit: Naked Kitchens)
‘Always walk through the plan in your mind to ensure it flows well and works efficiently, making sure that you can easily and fully access appliances so there are no pinch points,’ says Jayne Everett, creative director of Naked Kitchens .
‘If you go for an island, make sure there’s enough space around it to pass through and open cabinets,’ she adds. It’s the well-planned, seamless flow around the U-shaped layout and the double-ended island that makes this kitchen design work well.
25. Make the most of a large kitchen
(Image credit: Magnet)
It’s easy to be spoilt for choice when considering kitchen layout ideas for a large area, but don’t overlook one of the most popular layouts, the U-shape, which can be the perfect match for a generously sized kitchen.
To suit the open space, this particular layout is comprised of worktops on three connecting sides to allow for ample room for cooking. This design – by Magnet – is created for high efficiency cooking and accommodates the ‘working triangle’ perfectly, meaning you can easily move between the three key cooking components, sink, oven and refrigerator.
This kitchen layout encourages smooth food preparation, plenty of practical storage space and allows two chefs to be operating at once, making mealtimes a real team effort. It also incorporates a peninsula breakfast bar idea, so visitors aren't excluded from the action.
26. Include an island in a different color
(Image credit: LochAnna Kitchens)
With open plan living proving increasingly popular, islands today come in a range of styles, functions and sizes to suit your space. Offering the possibility of extra room for both cooking and seating, they can help turn a kitchen into the hub of the home.
To make an island the focal point, choose one in a different color from the rest of your cabinetry, as shown in this traditional kitchen design that combines earthy brown and off-white.
The length of this island allows a variety of different elements to be included, including a sink and ample storage.
27. Create the heart of a family kitchen
(Image credit: Future plc / Darren Chung)
To tie a family kitchen together, the addition of an island can be the final piece to the puzzle. Usually suited to medium-to-large sized kitchen layout ideas, an island can contribute valuable extra storage and worktop space that’s so sought after by large families.
When prepping meals at the island, parents can keep one eye on dinner and one on the kids, too. Then in the evenings it can transform into a dining table or even an office and homework club, offering the family a place to catch up and congregate, like the multi-purpose island in this stylish grey kitchen.
(Image credit: Future)
If your U-shape is more generous, it's worth sticking to the work triangle principle as closely as possible, but ensuring the three important elements are grouped on just two sides of the kitchen, with the third side given over to kitchen storage.
'If your kitchen's third side is an island, like the one above, storing cutlery, plates, china – in fact any items use use for dining – is the best option,' advises Homes and Gardens' Editor in Chief Lucy Searle.
'If you are keen, unflappable cooks who like to entertain regularly, having the hob on that unit with the cookware you need below will also work brilliantly – and be much more sociable.'
To avoid any costly kitchen design mistakes, the first step is to think carefully about how you move within the space and how you see your family using the room in the future – and this is where the well-known kitchen work triangle comes into play.
'The "work triangle" is the common sense principle that a kitchen plan revolves around the location of the sink, cooker and fridge and that the kitchen plan should be based on the most efficient workflow using these elements,' says Adrian Bergman, senior designer at British Standard by Plain English .
'This is, of course true, especially in a busy kitchen, but there can be other considerations such as aesthetics and respect for the architecture of a room, so there are occasions where we might stretch the layout rules to achieve a result that pleases the eye as well as the brain.'
Adrian continues: 'Usually, the size and shape of the room will suggest the best kitchen layout ideas, but often there is a choice and there are pros and cons to each; a single long run, for example, can look smart but means a lot of walking between elements and the fact that guests will be looking at the chef's back while they cook.
'I find that the best approach is to mock up and test any kitchen layout ideas in the actual space using battens and trestles, or with blocks of paper on the floor to represent the cupboards and appliances.'
Ailis started out at British GQ, where a month of work experience turned into 18 months of working on all sorts of projects, writing about everything from motorsport to interiors, and helping to put together the GQ Food & Drink Awards. She then spent three years at the London Evening Standard, covering restaurants and bars. After a period of freelancing, writing about food, drink and homes for publications including Conde Nast Traveller, Luxury London and Departures, she started at Homes & Gardens as a Digital Writer, allowing her to fully indulge her love of good interior design. She is now a fully fledged food PR but still writes for Homes & Gardens as a contributing editor.
Ways to develop a kitchen design project
The kitchen is a special room in every home. It should be comfortable to work and relax here. When designing it, it is necessary to rationally use space, think over the optimal arrangement of furniture and household appliances, choose a design style and color palette. With a serious approach, a kitchen project can be developed independently, but for this you need to know what exactly should be taken into account when drawing it up.
Building plan
The development of any project begins with measurements. It is necessary to accurately measure all the parameters of the room - height, length, width. This takes into account all the features - the location of windows and doors, the placement of water pipes, non-standard niches and ledges, and so on. If there are significant irregularities on the walls, they are also measured, as they can interfere with the arrangement of furniture. Then, according to the data received, an exact plan of the room is drawn. In the future, this drawing will help you choose a layout, determine the placement of furniture and appliances, and make sure that it is possible to arrange it in the planned way. Today it is not difficult to find a computer design program, but for computer design you will need all sizes.
Choice of layout
There are five types of standard layouts:
- linear (single-row, straight) - furniture is located in one straight line;
- parallel (two-row) - in two rows opposite each other;
- U-shaped - letter U along three walls;
- corner (L-shaped) - along two adjacent walls;
- peninsular (G-shaped) - with a bar or peninsula forming a ledge.
The choice of layout is determined primarily by the characteristics of the room. So, for a narrow elongated kitchen, a linear arrangement is suitable. For a small kitchen, a practical and multifunctional corner layout is recommended. U-shaped will allow you to optimally use a square or rectangular spacious room. A peninsula or a bar counter adjacent to the headset is a great option for zoning the kitchen space.
Work triangle
It is formed by three key points - refrigerator, sink and stove, separated by work surfaces. It is between them that the main movements occur during cooking. According to the laws of ergonomics, a triangular arrangement is the most convenient, provided that the sum of the sides of the triangle is from 350 to 650 cm. An ergonomic working triangle saves the hostess's time and energy, optimizing her movements.
Choosing and arranging appliances
A common mistake is buying appliances after choosing a kitchen set. Meanwhile, it is recommended to choose furniture, knowing exactly the list and dimensions of built-in appliances - this will allow you to plan the arrangement. The refrigerator, sink and stove are arranged according to the triangle rule, then the place of the remaining units is determined. It is advisable to install the dishwasher on the same line as the sink, so it is more convenient to load the dishes. A comfortable worktop is placed between the hob and the sink. The hood is chosen according to the parameters of the hob - its width should completely cover the stove. A list of small kitchen appliances is also compiled in advance - for them it is necessary to determine in advance the storage location and the location of sockets.
Selection and arrangement of furniture
The complete set of the kitchen set is determined based on the needs of the owners and the characteristics of the room. If the kitchen is small and there may be a problem with the placement of kitchen utensils, additional storage spaces are thought out in advance. It can be a compact and spacious wardrobe, cabinets of the upper tier, corner cabinets for using corners, thoughtful interior filling of cabinets. Transformable and folding furniture will help save space. The planned arrangement of furniture and appliances is verified on the drawn plan or in the online kitchen project. You can do several projects and then choose the best one.
Electrical wiring design
The modern kitchen is a serious consumer of electricity. Moreover, different equipment requires different connection conditions. At this stage of design, professional advice will be required. It is necessary to provide for a convenient location and a sufficient number of sockets not only for stationary equipment, but also for small appliances - a toaster, mixer, electric kettle and others. The number of outlets must match the wiring capabilities. Another serious issue is the organization of lighting. Today, as a rule, this is a multi-level scheme - lamps above the dining table, illumination of the working area, spotlights on the ceiling.
Design development
The design style is determined by the hosts at will. But it is worth considering the possibility of correcting some of the shortcomings of the kitchen with the help of design techniques. For example, a small kitchen can be visually expanded by using light colors and glossy surfaces in the decoration and choosing a set with mirror and glass doors.
If you have any doubts when developing a design project with professionals, the specialists of the Furniture Factory "Maria" can consult you for free on emerging issues. On our website you will find a wide variety of kitchen sets of different configurations, colors and styles. High-quality photos from different angles will allow you to evaluate in detail the headset you like.
10 Steps and Why It's Perverted
I made a 10 step plan to design my own kitchen project. Although there is a free and more adequate option, and, for my taste, doing the project yourself is a perversion.
If you know the basic dimensions of the modules and the basic principles, then making a kitchen project on your own is as easy as shelling pears. You don’t even need programs, just a piece of paper and a pen. But even this is not necessary if you are ready to cheat a little.
- 3 ways to make a kitchen project
- We make a kitchen project on our own
- Designing is not us, drawing is us
- Should we re-plan
- Proper ergonomics of the kitchen
3 ways to create a kitchen project In general, there are 9002 9002 kitchen project:
- Draw on paper
- Draw in a special computer program
- Use the service of free projects
The second is not rational in terms of time spent on mastering the program. If you only need to do a project once for yourself, then the other two ways will suffice. But if you really want to, I advise the Pro100 program. Or take a picture or scan your layout and draw in any graphic editor (photoshop, paint, etc.). An example of a kitchen furniture project in the pro100 program:
The best way to get a kitchen project : go to custom-made furniture manufacturers, create a project with them for free.
Point.
No one forces you to order a kitchen from them. After you can print and slightly correct on paper. In general, drawing a kitchen by hand is not difficult at all. Something like this will be a project from kitchen workers:
Most custom kitchen companies offer free consultations, planning and calculation. One head is good - but many free ones are better.
Doing the kitchen project yourself
If you get a perverse pleasure from doing the project yourself and therefore do not want to use kitchen workers, then you are weird, but okay.
The algorithm for you will be the following:
- We think you need a bar counter (and it's cool).
- Define the shape. Those. Which wall will the kitchen be on?
- We make a list of ALL planned equipment, including non-embedded.
- Next to each item, mark the width for embedding. For example, a 45 cm or 60 cm dishwasher, a 60 cm oven, etc.
- We divide the walls into modules according to the lower drawers, taking into account the dimensions of the built-in appliances.*
- We divide the wall into modules from above, trying to make all the upper drawers of equal width.**
- We make at least 2 options for the relative location of the refrigerator, sink and hob. We show them to everyone we catch, trying to figure out which one is better.
- We choose the type of fittings for opening each module, we think whether they will interfere with each other.
- We ask someone to criticize your project and finish the final version.
- Do you want backsplash lighting from under the upper cabinets? It's time to label it.
*All appliances are built into modules with a width of 45 or 60 centimeters.
**Looks best when all upper cabinets are the same width. Make everything strictly the same, and only the outer cabinet of a different residual width. Less than 40 cm wide is better not to do.
You may be concerned about the depth of the lower and upper modules, the width of the worktop, etc. Absolutely in vain, somewhere you will order furniture or at least cut it, and so they know everything there, these dimensions are standard:
The depth of the upper cabinet is 40 cm, the useful depth is ~ 35 cm.
The depth of the lower cabinet is ~ 50 cm.
Tabletop width ~59 cm.
You can play with the height of the tabletop from the floor, adjusting it to your own height so that your arms are slightly bent at the elbows when cooking. Standard kitchen countertop height range 82-92 cm.
Kitchen worktop height from floor:
- Height up to 165 cm, height 82 cm.
- Height 165-175 cm, height 87 cm.
Design is not us, drawing is us
Not everything will be done for you in a free planning solution (and in a paid one too). They will give you a kitchen project with furniture arrangement, design and a drawing for cuts, but we do it ourselves.
- Location of all sockets . To do this, it is important to know not only built-in appliances: coffee maker, kettle, toaster, blender, etc. Separate socket under the sink in case of waste shredder or filter pump.
- All light circuits and location of all switches. Important : the standard for turning on the backlight of the apron with the button on it itself is an error. Make the supply of all additional lighting to the normal switch at the entrance to the kitchen - you will use it more often than the overhead light. It is especially important to make a normal inclusion in the kitchen-living room.
- Handles . No, you can't leave it for later. They have a lot to do with appearance. Plus, for corner or small kitchens there may be nuances with opening doors.
- The correct connection of the hood implies a tee with a non-return valve, which must be led somewhere. If the kitchen is not up to the ceiling, there is no problem. But the right kitchen is made up to the ceiling - think about where to make a free exhaust outlet.
Whether to redevelop
If you have a major renovation and there is a possibility of redevelopment, then first you need to think about whether you want to change the geometry of the room. Answer the following questions to make a decision about the need for redevelopment, answer the following questions:
- How many family members do you have who will be in the kitchen at the same time
- Do you actively use the kitchen for cooking, for receiving guests or generally ordering food and the kitchen is equal to a refrigerator for you
- Communication outlets and the possibility of hiding them during repairs
- If you are young at least at heart and host guests often, it might make sense to combine the kitchen with the living room, because the modern design of the kitchen is usually about open space some advantages, we always advise you to do it. Many are unreasonably afraid of it, I think that it is expensive and difficult. This is not so, and not expensive and not difficult, there is nothing to be afraid of. After determining the geometry of your future kitchen, you can proceed to drawing up a furniture plan.
Proper kitchen ergonomics
You've probably heard of the triangle rule. So this is complete bullshit. Firstly, there is no practical sense in it, and secondly, there are actually four zones:
- Storage area: drawers, wall cabinets, shelves and a refrigerator.
- Washing area: sink, dishwasher, dish dryer.
- Cooking area: oven, hob, microwave, multicooker.
- Free plane between them.
And, BOOM, the most important thing is the last point. We don't do anything by weight. To heat food from the refrigerator, we need to get it out and put it on the table, take a plate out of the cabinet and put it next to it, put the food on and only then put it in the microwave.
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