Kitchen Design Considerations
Size of available kitchen space
This is the most important information about your project and is the starting point for your new kitchen.
Considerations include important aspects such as:
- Connection requirements and locations (electricity, water etc.)
- Placement, dimensions and sill height of windows
- Alternative storage space in the house
- Position of table (if applicable)
- Overall kitchen area (length, width, height of room)
- Integrating this space with the rest of your home
Work Triangle
Having a great layout for your kitchen will create an efficient and pleasant area in which to prepare meals, promote family time, and entertaining guests. Understanding the kitchen work triangle concept and the basic kitchen layouts is a valuable starting point for having a good kitchen design that works well and improves the overall functionality.
The kitchen work triangle consists of the pathways between the sink, refrigerator and range or cook-top. Each one of these pathways promote efficient movement in the kitchen and forms the three points of a triangle. Done correctly, the kitchen work triangle provides the most efficient food preparation area and layout for the kitchen.
Whether you’re remodeling an existing kitchen or building a new one, an efficient design means that your work triangle minimizes the number of steps the cook must take between the three areas during meal preparation and cleanup.
The total distance from the sink to the stove to the refrigerator and back to the sink should consist of straight lines and be not less than 12 feet total nor more than 27 feet. Each triangle leg should measure between 4 and 9 feet in length. The kitchen island should be positioned at provide pathways least 42 to 48 inches wide to allow people to move around easily and for appliances to be opened with ease.
Kitchen Layout
Galley Kitchen
Single Line Kitchen
"L" Shaped Kitchen
A walk-through kitchen design, featuring cabinets on two sides. The Galley design or corridor kitchen is common in many apartments and open-plan layouts. Space is limited, so try and optimize or consolidate your counter top areas.
Be careful of your appliance location. You do not want to have your appliance doors block exits or pathways. Consider cabinets on both sides.
Use pull-out trays in base cabinets to conserve space and maximize access.
"L" Shaped Kitchen
Single Line Kitchen
"L" Shaped Kitchen
One line of cabinets placed around a corner. L shaped kitchen designs are great for small spaces and open-plan rooms.
This kitchen design locates all appliances and counter space along two walls in the corner of the kitchen space at a 90 degree angle.
An L shaped kitchen design allows for a compact work space while freeing up much needed space for a dining area, island or additional storage.
Single Line Kitchen
Single Line Kitchen
Single Line Kitchen
In this layout the sink, cooking range and refrigerator are placed in a single line with the sink in the center which will result in increased efficiency while preparing and cooking.
This layout offers open work space that is not overcrowded while maximizing efficiency and energy moving from one place to another.
The work triangle is placed in a straight work line along the wall and all the three major kitchen stations.
"U" Shaped Kitchen
"U" Shaped Kitchen
Single Line Kitchen
A U shaped kitchen design will have one entrance and all counter space and appliances are built into a U shape. The kitchen triangle concept is used to create good flow between appliances and work stations.
U shape kitchens are often designed with a view through a wall or opening between rooms. This effect is great for small spaces such as apartments as it will open up your kitchen to the rest of your home, ideal for entertaining.
If you are planning a U shaped kitchen design where an opening exists in a wall, be aware not to lose cabinet space and electrical outlets when taking that wall out.
If you are unsure whether this wall is a load bearing wall, refer to your building plans or better yet seek professional advice.
Island Kitchen
"U" Shaped Kitchen
"G" Shaped Kitchen
Adding an island is the most common way to achieve multiple work centers in a kitchen. An island suits many modern house styles where there is enough space for food preparation, family gathering, and can provide several small work stations along its perimeter.
It is also a great place to present a buffet when entertaining.
Consider locating a cook top in the island for better space management.
Adding an extra sink in the island is a great way to create an extra work station and greater versatility for two or more people working in the kitchen.
"G" Shaped Kitchen
"U" Shaped Kitchen
"G" Shaped Kitchen
All counter space and appliances are built into a G shape with one entrance and extended counter top/breakfast bar creating the ‘G’ shape.
The work triangle creates good flow between work zones and allows for interaction with guests while in the kitchen.
Most G shape kitchens are designed with a opening between rooms. This design is
great for open plan spaces as it creates a definition between rooms such as the kitchen and dining room without separating yourself from the family or guests.
Storage
Planning for Storage Spaces
Most homeowners wanting to remodel come to us asking for "More Storage!"
When designing your dream kitchen it is key to consider all of your storage space options.
The first place to look for extra storage space is your corners. In small, tight kitchens a blind corner cabinet can be used to get the most use out of the corner. However, to get the most efficient use of the corner space a lazy Susan corner cabinet or easy reach cabinet should be used. These cabinet options maximize the corner space while allowing easy entry to it contents.
Try adding roll-out trays in your base kitchen cabinets to help access your pots and pans, or in your pantries in order to reach cans and dry goods more easily.
Here are a few ways to maximize storage space.
Under Counter Trash Bins
A practical solution to help cope with kitchen waste while keeping your bin hidden.
Sliding Doors and Blind and Retractable Pantries
These pantry systems eliminate wasted space
Butlers Pantry
Used as an out of the way preparation space, a spot to hide dirty dishes after a meal, a place to have small appliances at the ready, or for extra storage, the butler's pantry is an asset to any home plan
Utensil trays and Wine Racks
A place for everything – everything in place for quick and easy access.
Pull out spice racks and specialty cooking trays
Places close to food prep for quick access while cooking. No more hunting around for that spice or for that specific sheet pan!.
budget
What to Expect
Your budget will drive most of your kitchen remodel experience and a big part of the whole process.
After you have gathered all your ideas and wish list, it is time to realistically assess how much you want to invest in your new kitchen. You may have to start with a prioritized list of items, and rearrange as you progress with the project.
Remember that once your home is done - especially if a major home overhaul is completed, that ancillaries such as landscaping, fences and retaining walls may start to look a little shabby when compared to your newly refurbished home - so you may want to keep some money aside to spruce up these areas too.
You may also want to consult with a finance expert to help you explore all of your financial options to complete your renovation.
Align your priorities. Are you primarily interested in increasing the value for a re-sale, or is this a home you will live in for years to come? The answer to this question will drive your budget and most of your design decisions.
Learn More
Schedule a FREE in-home consultation now where the Wake Manor experts will help get you started on getting the kitchen of your dreams