How To Design A Perfect Kitchen Layout

Your kitchen hosts a wide variety of important everyday tasks, so it needs to both work hard and look good. Whether you're cooking, cleaning, eating, or entertaining, the kitchen should be a space you enjoy being in, and thoughtful kitchen design can help make that happen.

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. 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. Before you make any big decisions or get carried away with the aesthetic, here are some essential kitchen layout ideas you will want to incorporate to make your kitchen design a success:

When renovating or designing a new kitchen, put function first. There's no ideal shape for your kitchen. Whether you want a U-shape, L-shape, or galley kitchen, plan for the sink, fridge, and cooktop in designated spaces where you do certain tasks. While the proven "triangle" layout is great, you'll want to think ahead and create a modern work zone that meets your needs.

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.

Pay attention to corners when deciding where to place cabinetry and appliances. To make cabinet and appliance doors fully functional, plan space for the door's clearance and swing direction in your kitchen design. Keep appliances away from corners, and make sure doors won't bang into each other if open at the same time.

Another tip for your kitchen design layout is to add a kitchen island. This is where cooking preparation and family bonding moments will take place. Unless you have limited space, consider its location carefully. It should not block the areas in front of your major appliances and should allow enough space for the appliance doors to open. Place a sink on the island across the cooking stove to maximize workflow and space.

When creating a kitchen layout, many designers place the sink first and then design out 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.

When planning your kitchen layout, think of all the working spaces that will need proper lighting. Do you have an open window? Unlike other rooms in your house, overhead lighting in the kitchen is insufficient. Think of undercabinet lights that shine directly on countertops. Position lights to shine on workspaces like stoves and sinks. Consider these lighting tips for your kitchen design layout:

· General lighting for overall illumination

· Task lighting for all the main working areas

· Accent lighting to enhance the beauty and functionality of the kitchen

Contact us to learn more practical tips for kitchen design layout.