Design A Kitchen Layout That Works

When designing a house plan there are two areas that are the primary focus of the homeowner, the master bedroom and the kitchen. The kitchen is an area that can make or break the design and the resale value of the home. This is why it is so important to spend as much time as needed to design the kitchen layout. Besides, a serious cook deserves a space where he or she can work in a comfortable and spacious environment.

In general, kitchens fall into several standard design categories that includes the Gallery (corridor) kitchen, L-shape, U-shape kitchen, Peninsula, Island, and One-wall kitchen. Depending on the size and make-up of your home design, either of these layouts can be used as the basis of the design concept. Once you have established which design arrangement is best, you will then turn your focus to the kitchen work stations and work triangle. Together, these two critical element will make the kitchen layout work efficiently.

Kitchen Work Stations

Prepare your kitchen to have three areas in which to prepare a meal from start to finish. Each station should include on major appliance. One station is for storage and mixing and includes the refrigerator. The second station which is for preparation and cleaning. This area includes the dishwasher and sink. The final work station is the cooking station. This work space includes the stove top & oven or range unit.

Kitchen Work Triangle

Tying together the work stations is the last thing in bring a kitchen design together. As a general rule, the work triangle should fall in between 12 feet and 24 feet when you add up the three sides of the triangle. For example, if you are preparing a meal, the distance from the storage & mixing station to the prep station to the cooking station should add up to a sum that doesn’t exceed 24 feet. This rule creates a great design guide and ultimately a great kitchen work environment.

Determining the best layout for a kitchen design can be challenging but also rewarding. While the look and style can go as the homeowner desire, the simple workability must adhere to the standards by which we live. As long as you keep the basic design principles in the overall concept, you are sure to create a functional workspace. A seasoned home designer will combine these principles with the desires of the homeowner to design a kitchen layout that works.