In years gone by, your kitchen has been designated for just cooking; a mundane area of the home for chores. But as our lifestyles have modernised and our homes have become a lot more open plan, we’re designing our kitchens with so much more in mind. These days, many people want their new kitchen layout to be a family hub where everyone can enjoy the space for their own reasons.
It’s all about having a kitchen layout that works as effortlessly for the designated chef of the family as it does for the kids that need to catch up on their homework, the family members who want to relax with a glass of wine at the end of the day, and even those that want a space to host regular gatherings for friends. A lot of your home’s activities centre around your kitchen as the family hub which is why style, organisation, design and layout is essential.
So, how do you plan a new kitchen layout that works perfectly for all the reasons you need it to? In most cases, the size and shape of the room will be the determining factor for your kitchen layout design. The most common kitchen layout is the triangle; referring to the stove, sink and refrigerator. These areas see the most action so access to all of these elements should be planned carefully to ensure it is unobstructed. It should have easy access to the stove and refrigerator, as well as your countertop workstations.
The best part about hiring a bespoke kitchen designer is that you get the freedom to plan your new kitchen layout with you specifically in mind and that means you can stray from the traditional triangle and include extra elements you really like that wouldn’t otherwise fit into the design.
Other clients of ours enjoy the ‘Blum’s Dynamic Space’ concept which arranges your new kitchen layout as task zones to create the most convenient workflow. Explained here by Ideal Home “Tasks might include emptying the dishwasher (store your crockery close by), making breakfast (keep all your breakfast things together), preparing meals (utensils, chopping boards and bins in pull-outs under the worktop), cooking (store pots, pans and utensils in a drawer under the cook top with bottles of oil and spices in a pull-out close by), and cleaning (materials for cleaning close to the sink)”.
The workspace must be thoughtfully designed to allow movement of people around the kitchen easily. This includes keeping children away from the dangerous areas and giving the cook plenty of room, so guests don’t stray into their way. Consider where guests are going to sit, where busy zones like the fridge is going to be and how you’re allowing the cook to be a part of the conversation while preparing the meal.
An island is a great was of using your kitchen layout to control the flow of people in the kitchen. By positioning your kitchen island centrally, it allows for multiple possibilities. By adding bar stools to the island and creating a breakfast bar space is a great way to create additional space and storage. This extra surface is great for dining, entertaining and an allocated homework area for the kids.
Not all kitchens are standard rectangle shape. It’s the limited wall space, or our sloped ceilings, the pillars or our irregular number of doors which really makes our houses our home and its important that your new kitchen layout is designed with these special architectural features. Allow your kitchen layout to work with the quirkiness of your home, integrate this into your selection of cabinets, your flooring and your furniture.
Once you’ve got the perfect layout in place you’re on your way to achieving your dream kitchen. At Paul Barry KBB, we can take care of every aspect of your kitchen installation – from arranging the perfect kitchen layout to selecting the right accessories and everything in between. Want to know more? Arrange a free consultation with our team of experts.
