To create a beautiful and helpful kitchen, careful planning is essential. Here are 15 things to think about when planning your kitchen design.
Just because your kitchen is used for a range of vital regular tasks, it must be both functional and attractive. Furthermore, whether you’re cleaning, cooking, dining, or entertaining, the kitchen should be a place you enjoy being in, and thoughtful kitchen design may help you achieve just that. These recommendations can help you create a space you’ll love if you’re planning a kitchen makeover or designing a new kitchen. Follow TEAM 7 Kitchen’s recommendations for planning, organization, and must-have features to create an attractive and functional kitchen for all of your requirements.
- Remove any unnecessary steps.
Consider how and where you daily use goods when organizing a kitchen. For example, breakfast goods and bowls should be kept close to the breakfast table. Wrap leftovers near a worktable with wraps and plastic containers in a single location. Dishware and flatware should be kept close by to make unloading the dishwasher easier.
- Create broad walkways.
Ensure you have adequate room between the cabinets and the island to move around comfortably. As a general rule, kitchen paths should be 36 inches wide. The cooking zone lanes should be 42 inches wide for a one-cook kitchen and 48 inches wide for a two-cook kitchen. When planning, adjust kitchen islands and peninsulas as needed.
- Allow traffic to flow freely through the kitchen.
One of the most critical factors to consider when constructing a kitchen is traffic flow. Keep the cooktop out of high traffic for a kid-friendly kitchen design, so children don’t catch handles and spills. Make the refrigerator visible to passers-by and those working in the kitchen and cleanup areas.
- Keep your distance from corners.
When determining where to put cabinetry and appliances, keep corners in mind. Plan space for the door’s swing direction in your kitchen design to make cabinet and appliance doors completely functional. Keep devices away from the corners, and make sure that if you open two doors simultaneously, they don’t collide.
- Find the microwave’s proper height.
Depending on the cook or the kid-friendly aspect of the kitchen, the proper height and location for a microwave oven will differ. For example, a microwave height of 15 inches above the countertop level is ideal for adults. However, if children use the appliance, a below-countertop installation may be safer and more appropriate.
- Determine the function of the island.
Before evaluating the design, consider how you want to use the island in the area. If you’re going to cook and eat simultaneously on the kitchen island, for instance, make sure there is a reasonable distance between the cooktop and the dining area. The island can also home items such as a sink or dishwasher for increased usefulness.
- Create a landing area near the appliances.
Around appliances, there is a landing zone where items can be placed while cooking or prepping ingredients. Allow 15 inches of countertop space on each side of a burner and refrigerator when constructing your kitchen. There should be enough landing area near the microwave and other tiny appliances, such as a toaster.
- Take a look at the counters.
Consider your meal-preparation requirements to help you choose a countertop. For example, chefs who enjoy cooking need more counter space (preferably between the range and the sink) than those who sometimes cook or create essential dishes. Additionally, integrating two countertop heights might aid kids in participating in meal preparations by making baking easier.
- Make use of two kitchen appliances.
Consider doubling up on your most often used equipment if you have a large family or a lot of cooking to perform. A secondary microwave oven and a mini-refrigerator or refrigerator drawer on the kitchen work centre’s border, for example, can assist distribute the effort and keep snackers out of the way of the cook. Add a snack bar with stools for an after-school hangout spot for the kids.
- Arrange the shooting range.
Plan to keep essential cooking supplies in the area immediately surrounding the range. Place a shelf beside or behind the stove to store cooking oils, tools, and spices close at reach. Hang commonly used pots and pans on the side of the range hood with S-hooks.
- A pot-filler should be installed.
Have you grown tired of hauling water-filled pots from the sink to the stove? Installed near the furnace, a swing-out tap, also known as a pot-filler, fills banks close where they are heated. Alternatively, add an extra-long hose adapter on your main faucet to fill jars on the stovetop.
- Make it simple to recycle.
Make designated areas for trash and recycling to make sorting as straightforward as possible. Assemble a cabinet with glass, plastic, and metal containers. A spare drawer could be used to recycle old newspapers and other papers.
- Keep items within easy reach.
Place frequently used products and snacks within easy reach when arranging your pantry and other food storage locations. As you agree to goods, keep in mind the demands of other family members. For example, if you have tiny children, place their favourite dishes and snacks on shelves where they can reach them.
- Take the case of electrical outlets.
Ensure that locations where you want to use a coffee maker, toaster oven, blender, and other countertop equipment, have enough electrical outlets. Install additional outlets along with the backsplash and the island to ensure that you always have power. In addition, consider equipping a drawer with outlets and USB connections to create an underground charging station for gadgets for further creativity.
- When it comes to storing blades, be cautious.
Knives can be hung on a magnetic strip affixed to the backsplash. Place it above the area of your counter where you usually prepare ingredients. This makes it simple to get the correct knife for the job while also keeping dangerous things out of reach of children.
