Laying Out Your Kitchen
The Heart of the Home
How many homes have you lived in where you wish you could get a hold of whoever it was that made the kitchen decisions?! I’m now on home #6 myself. I’m sure they tried, but I wish they put in a little more thought and foresight to their plans. Honestly, there’s a lot to it, but this is the heart and soul of your home...so if you get anywhere nailed down, let it be here.
What do you need to think about first? LAYOUT! This is critical and the foundation for good design. You can have beautiful finishes and all the high end features, but if you’re constantly tripping over each other, no one will want to be in the kitchen. We put together some basic layout considerations you’ll want to think through to get the best configuration for you space. Even if you’re working with a kitchen designer, you’ll want to do your homework and be prepared to contribute. They are experts on what each cabinet line has to offer but YOU are the expert on your family and your family’s habits and routines.
Photo Credit: themodernnest.com
Walkways - Make sure all walkways are at least 3-4’ and on the more generous side if it’s a main route between rooms. In fact, I always try to get closer to 4’, as this allows for people to more easily move past each other when working.
Triangle Layout - We, along with most designers, recommend putting your main appliances (fridge, sink, range) into a triangular configuration. This allows for easy and minimal movement between appliances while cooking. It just makes sense.
Flow - Think about how and why people are moving through this space. If one walkway is also the main entrance/exit into an adjacent room, that’s likely NOT where you want to have a main appliance. Appliances are used often which means there will likely be someone directly in the path of people coming and going, which makes for annoying and possibly unnecessary congestion.
Sink Placement - Make sure your sink is facing the direction you want to be looking. Moms spend so much time in this one spot. It only makes sense that we want to appreciate what else is happening around us at the same time, rather than facing a wall. When we renovated our kitchen, I moved my sink to where I can easily see what’s happening in the family room, in the backyard and still appreciate our view of the mountains.
Countertop Space - Where your appliances are is really only part of the equation. You also want to be sure you’ve accounted for necessary counter space next to these appliances. Dishes need a drying zone after being washed, a range needs a nearby surface to chop vegetables, and when you’re trying to fit everything in the fridge, you need counter space to sort things out.
Ventilation - Another overlooked consideration for some homeowners is where they will put ventilation for their range. Most building codes require adequate ventilation to remove smoke, smells, heat and fumes from your home. So be sure you’re placing your range in a place where you can provide the necessary ventilation.
And of course, if you get stuck, DM with your question for our Design Dilemma's Series or contact me for a free consultation to thoroughly discuss your redesign.
Photo Credits:
magnoliamarket.com, hgtv.com, axosdesigns.com, brepurposed.com
www.dexterandplaid.com, houseliftdesigns.com, nordicdesign.ca, cammiemalagainteriors.com
