Smart Kitchen Design

Kitchens remain everyone’s favorite room in the house. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), most people expect kitchens to keep getting larger and even more multifunctional. We love kitchens. And why not? Kitchens are where food is prepared and stored, and most of us have positive emotional connections to our favorite recipes and enjoying scrumptious meals that are made in our kitchens.

But also, who can resist running their hand over the smooth expanse of a beautiful quartz countertop while envisioning all that can be done in a well-appointed new kitchen? But before you select your favorite kitchen appliances, cabinets, and countertops, be sure to give critical thought to a well-designed kitchen layout that truly suits how you’ll use and move in the space.

Triangulate

It’s helpful to consider the triangular relationship between your refrigerator, sink, and stove—the most used task areas in food prep. By avoiding blocking any leg of a kitchen triangle, you can optimize movement within your space. For example, ensuring unblocked access to each of these task areas, most everything you need to prepare a meal is within reach, making it easy to rinse vegetables, chop, and transfer them to the stove in a smooth flow.

A kitchen triangle also naturally prevents overcrowding at any particular task area by ensuring each has its own clear space. This creates breathing room for multiple cooks in your kitchen, or maybe just a teenager searching for a snack while you’re prepping for a dinner party.

Whether a kitchen plan is L-shaped, U-shaped, or open-concept, the kitchen triangle principle can be adjusted to accommodate. It’s a flexible guideline that works with both small apartments and large custom homes. For example, in an open-concept layout, a designer might put the sink on the island, the stove on the back wall, and the refrigerator to the side, still keeping the triangle intact while integrating the kitchen with the living area.

In the Zone

Some designers eschew the kitchen triangle in favor of a more zone-based layout. This design philosophy relies more on organizing the kitchen into activity zones  such as prep, cooking, cleaning, storage, and serving rather than focusing only on three primary task areas. For example, there may be a coffee station, baking zone, or snack area that operate independently of the kitchen’s main cooking flow.

Typical Zones in a Zone-Based Layout Include:

• Prep Zone: Ensure there’s ample space to chop, mix, and assemble ingredients preferably near your sink or stove.
• Cooking Zone: Keep essential cookware and utensils within reach.
• Cleaning Zone: Simplify dishwashing and tidying up with a dedicated area that helps you maintain a clean and clutter-free kitchen.
• Food Storage Zone: Keep fresh, canned, and boxed groceries grouped together for convenience.
• Dining/Entertaining Zone: Maintain dedicated counter or island space for dining, socializing, or doing homework.

Island Time

If you’re short on counter space, storage, or seating, consider adding a kitchen island, or two. Often customizable in size and shape to fit various kitchen sizes, layouts, and needs, this popular kitchen design element is great for functionality, providing ample room for food prep and storage. A kitchen island also creates a natural gathering place and focal point for the room.

If a kitchen island is on your list of must-haves, consider its purpose. Will it be used solely as prep space or do double duty as a seating area? Answering these questions will ensure your island is designed for maximum functionality.

Island Essentials

Overhang: A kitchen island with seating will require a countertop that extends 12 to 18 inches beyond the cabinets to allow space for stools.

Waterfalls: To further showcase a quartz surface design, choose a waterfall countertop, which extends over the edge and down to the floor, creating a dramatic effect.

Counter Stools vs. Bar Stools: The island’s height dictates the ideal style of barstools. Higher countertops (around 42 inches) will require 30-inch-tall stools, while standard 36-inch-high countertops require 24-inch-tall counter seats.