More and more, the design of kitchen spaces supports the hosting of activities, from cooking to
eating, entertaining, and hanging out. Therefore, while your kitchen needs to work for you and
your needs, it should also be a stylish environment that you would enjoy spending time in.
Designing a kitchen that is both stylish and functional calls for careful planning and research.
Here are some tips to consider when designing or renovating your kitchen space.
Eliminate Wasted Steps
When you design your kitchen, one factor to remember is where and how you intend to use
various kitchen items. For instance, if you plan on having a breakfast table in your kitchen, it
would be wise to have your storage for breakfast bowls and foods next to this table. To simplify
unloading and loading your dishwasher, position your flatware and dishware cabinets across or
next to your dishwasher.
Opt For Wider Walkways
Your kitchen design should allow ample room between your kitchen cabinets and the island or
peninsula to ease movement. You might have kitchen paths 36 inches in width and aisles for
the cooking zone at 42 inches in width.
Consider Traffic Flow
When designing your kitchen, remember to keep your kitchen cooktop away from high-traffic
areas. This position reduces the chances of accidentally catching pot handles and causing spills.
Your refrigerator should be easily accessible to the person cooking and passersby.
Be Wary of Corners
Another essential factor to consider is the placement of your appliances. Position your
appliances and cabinets in a way that the direction of their door swing allows them to open
fully. Ensure that you do not have any obstacles or appliance doors knocking into each other if
open simultaneously.
Decide on Your Kitchen Island’s Function
The intended function of the kitchen island will impact its design. For instance, you intend to
use the kitchen island both for eating and cooking. You then will need to design it to have the
eating area away from the cooktop. For more functionality, you could choose to incorporate
other elements such as a dishwasher or a sink on your island.
Plan for Landing Space
It is practical to have space on your kitchen counter to place your cutlery and pots when
cooking. Landing space is the amount of countertop space used for placing items while
preparing ingredients or cooking. The kitchen should have up to 15 inches of landing space on
both sides of your refrigerator and cooktop. It is good to allow landing space next to kitchen
appliances such as your microwave, toaster, or coffee pot.
Install Task Lighting
What is task lighting? Task lighting refers to the fluorescent lamps or light strips placed under
your top kitchen cabinets. Using these lights allows for the countertop and eases the process of
food preparation. A good rule of thumb to follow is to make sure that the task light is
positioned at the front of your cabinetry. Placing the task light at the back of the cabinet will
illuminate more of your backsplash tiles and not the countertop, thus missing its purpose.
Light Up Your Cabinets
One option to provide lighting for your cabinets is to have glass cabinets and place the light
source at the top of each cabinet. However, one drawback of this option is that the further
away a shelf is from the lighting, then the dimmer it becomes.
A second option, consider using LED lighting strips on both sides of your cabinets behind the frame of
the cabinet’s face. This way, each cabinet shelf will have ample lighting.
Have A Focal Point
For a beautiful kitchen, ensure that you include a focal point in your kitchen that makes a bold
statement and draws the viewer’s eye. Anything from fancy flooring to bright backsplash tiles, a
sizable range hood, patterned countertops, and shaker-style kitchen cabinets could all serve
this attention-grabbing purpose. Once you have your kitchen focal points in place, compliment
them with quieter yet stylish elements.
Finishing Thoughts
Whether you spend time in your kitchen entertaining or cooking, consider having a stylish space
that fits your needs and the purpose of the kitchen. Browse through various design magazines
and the internet for creative ideas that complement your taste.
