Plan thoughtfullyfrom traffic flow to organizationto create a kitchen thats efficient, functional, and a joy to use.
Kitchen Design Tips
Life happens in the kitchen.
So, it needs towork hard and look good.
Credit: Edmund Barr Photography
Eliminate Wasted Steps
When planning a kitchen’s design, think about your most frequent tasks.
You’ll save time and energy by placing items needed to complete a job close together.
For example, keepcoffee mugs, coffee grounds, and all yourjava essentialsnear thecoffee machine.
Credit: Anthony Masterson Photography, Inc.
Your groggy early-morning self will thank you.
Similarly, keep wraps andplastic containers in one handy spotnear a work surface for wrapping leftovers.
A helpful kitchen design tip is locating dishware and flatwarenear the dishwasherto ease the unloading process.
Credit: Tria Giovan
Generally,paths throughout a kitchenshould be at least 36 inches wide.
When planning, adjust kitchen islands and peninsulas accordingly.
Direct Traffic Through the Kitchen
Traffic flow is crucial when designing a kitchen that works for you.
Credit: Laura Moss
It won’t work if the cook bumps into people constantly coming and going.
It keepsfamily and friends nearby to chatwith the cook while deterring them from getting in the way.
Also,the refrigerator should be accessibleto passersby and people working in cooking and cleanup areas.
Credit: Lincoln Barbour
Plan space for cabinet door clearance and swing direction in yourkitchen designto make cabinet and appliance doors fully functional.
Keep appliances away from corners, and verify doors won’t bang into each other if open simultaneously.
If you have a tight corner to work around, consider opting for low-profile handles.
Knobs, pulls, and appliance handles sticking out can make opening neighboring corner cabinet doors difficult.
These will vary depending on the home chef or the kid-friendly nature of the kitchen.
A helpful guideline for adults is that 15 inches above the countertop level is a good microwave height.
However, abelow-countertop setupmight be safer and more suitable if kids use the appliance.
It’s also helpful whenprepping ingredients.
Landing space is also essential near other small appliances, such as a coffee pot ortoaster oven.
Consider the Countertops
Think through your needs for meal preparation to help guide yourcountertop choices.
Add a snack bar with stools for an after-school spot.
Arrange the Range Area
Plan to store importantcooking essentialsin the space directly around the range.
Place a shelf beside or behind the range to keepcooking oils, utensils, and spices handy.
Plan your kitchen layout to include extra deep drawers for cookware near the range or under a cooktop.
For better organization and easier accessibility, opt for kitchen drawers, though they may cost more.
Cabinets offer a lot of storage at a lower price but can be harder to reach and organize items.
Install a Pot-Filler
Tired of lugging water-filled pots from the sink to the cooktop?
Alternatively, install an extra-long hose attachment on yourmain faucetto fill pots on the cooktop.
Be Clever When Storing Knives
Hang knives on a magnetic strip tacked to the backsplash.
Place it above the stretch of the countertop you typically use for prepping ingredients.
This makes it easy to spot theright knifefor a job and keeps dangerous items out of children’s reach.
A spare drawer can hold old newspapers and other papers to recycle.
Then, you could havepantry shelvesinstalled at the right height and know that everything will fit in the pantry.
If so, be sure also to dedicate enough space for those items.
Store a calendar, notebook, and writing utensils in a nearby drawer or wall-mounted baskets.
Instead, break up long blocks of doors and drawersby adding detailssuch asglass cabinet doorsand display shelving.
you’ve got the option to also try placing wine storage or windows between cabinet areas.
Maximize space and add style by incorporating corner open shelves for displaying a favorite collection or colorful stacked plates.
Usesoft shades on kitchen cabinetsto visually expand a small room.
Outfit large windows with simple window treatments to ensure the space receives plenty of natural light.
Once you snag the focus, complement that area with a few other quieter but still eye-catching details.
A mid-scale remodel, with upgraded appliances and finishes, averages $20,000 to $70,000.
Making the best use of your space is the most crucial part of asmall kitchen remodel.
Then comes decorative touches, such as paint, window treatments, and artwork.
