No matter what size your kitchen is, or how many people are going to be in it at any one time, a kitchen that is poorly laid out is going to lead to frustration and traffic jams!
Kitchen design is far more important than simply the colour of your cabinets or the type of door handles you want. If you plan your kitchen with a layout that works well, you’ll make cooking in your new kitchen an absolute pleasure.
We’ve seen plenty of designs that work well, and plenty that are not so good. Here are our top kitchen layout mistakes you need to avoid.
- Obstructing the “kitchen triangle”. The kitchen triangle refers to the sink, stovetop and fridge; the three main areas that see the most activity. If you can’t move your plumbing and therefore have to have the sink in a certain place, be sure to consider the placement of your stove and fridge in relation to this.
- Squishing in an island. Kitchen islands are a fantastic use of space – but only if you have the room for them. If you don’t have the space yet install one anyway, it can obstruct traffic around the kitchen triangle and make the kitchen cramped. When you’re considering a kitchen island, ask yourself whether it will help or hinder you in the space you have.
- Not creating enough bench space. One of the biggest gripes people have with their kitchen is a lack of bench space for food preparation. Adding an island (If you have the space!) will increase your bench space, as will adding a breakfast bar to an L-shaped kitchen. If your benches are loaded with large appliances such as a coffee machine and a juicer, consider adding some extra shelving wherever you can for smaller items that can be lifted off the bench.
- Forgetting a rubbish area. A plastic bag under the sink isn’t the best way to deal with rubbish, and leaves nowhere for you to sort and store recyclable items. Make sure you incorporate some kind of designated area for a rubbish bin that is easily accessible but hides the mess and smell.
- Putting your stove at the end of a counter. A stove should always be placed in between cabinets and counter spaces, with some space on either side for practical work. The main reason for this is safety. If your stove is installed in an island or at the end of a counter, it’s easy for hot food to be knocked off accidentally, or pulled off by children.
There’s far more than just aesthetics to take into consideration when you’re planning your kitchen. If you have any kitchen layout and design questions, be sure to ask one of our consultants who can help you develop a plan.