Most well-planned kitchens harness the power of the triangle – the shape of the area between your fridge, stove and sink. A well designed triangle layout isn't too cramped, but shouldn't take you too many steps to move from one point to the next.
The most efficient kitchen layouts are U-shaped and island kitchens. These layouts provide ample countertop space for cooking and prep work, and they allow for fluid movement throughout the room. Galley kitchens often have the issue of feeling “bottlenecked” because there is only one path in and out of the kitchen.
Cooking and baking pieces should be kept close to where you do food preparation. Utensils should be in the drawer nearest to the prep area as well. Glassware might be best near the sink or refrigerator. Make a coffee or tea station that includes sugar, mugs and filters, and place it near the water source, if possible.
Place heavier items on the bottom of cabinet shelves.
Heavy pans, mixing bowls, and large serving dishes are better kept in the lower cabinets of your kitchen, while lighter items, such as spice racks or pot lids, can safely be stored higher up.
An L shape is one of the most common layouts for kitchens. It requires less space and offers more flexibility in the placement of workstations. This plan works well when the kitchen adjoins a casual room, like a family room or eating area.
U-Shape Kitchen
The U-Shape design is the most versatile layout for both large and small kitchens.
All-White Kitchens
For the past decade, we've been seeing white walls, white tile, and Carrera marble. People are tired of these muted palettes, and designers are bringing in color— which we love.” Most designers also agree that white-on-white kitchens will look dated in 2023. So what color will be the new white?
The L-shaped kitchen is one of the most popular layouts because it's super functional and can be adapted for almost any sized space. As the name implies, an L-shaped layout features cabinetry and appliances along two adjacent walls, creating an obvious triangle path between work zones.
Zone 1: Everyday Dishes and Utensils
You will want to put the everyday dishes and utensils to the right of the dishwasher or above the dishwasher. If you don't have a dishwasher, use the sink instead. The reason you do this is because it makes unloading the dishwasher or sink easy and practical.
In general, drawers for base cabinets offer maximum use of space and are better at keeping cookware, dishes, and even pots and pans in place. Deep drawers offer the ideal space to keep these items organized and secure.
The Traditional Work Triangle
It offers the least efficient kitchen plan but maximizes space. The GALLEY configuration is efficient for up to two cooks in the kitchen. However, the shape allows little extra room for crossing household traffic.
Kitchen direction as per vastu advice is that the stove should always be positioned to the south-east because the fire element rules that direction. Additionally, the stove user must face east. According to vastu, this direction of the kitchen stove is considered lucky.
Organizing open space above the sink
Ford, Smith and Duckworth all mentioned using this area to store things like a dish drying rack, mugs, drinking glass sets or other essential dinnerware.
Most experts suggest that a kitchen should include at least one stacked drawer cabinet for every double-door cabinet.
White kitchen cabinets are enduring and versatile, appearing in cottage, traditional, and even modern kitchens. Especially on simple Shaker-style doors, the right white paint color can create a light, fresh look in a kitchen. Choose modest hardware with clean lines to keep with the classic look.
The U-Shaped:
The U-Shaped kitchen is the most versatile layout for kitchens large and small because the design offers continuous countertops and ample storage, which surround the cook on three sides.
If you have to cram a lot of units into a very small space, a U-shape layout is often the best bet. The downside of two corners is compensated by extra cupboard space on the end wall. 'The key to compact U-shaped kitchens is using every inch to your advantage.
Tiny Backsplashes
Skinny backsplashes are out of style, we are happy to report. A ceramic tile or glass backsplash that stretches from counter to cabinets is much easier to keep clean, and is more likely to catch spills and splatters. What's even better than a sizable tiled backsplash?
'2023 is a year when we'll see a lot more blending of different finishes in the kitchen, from brass to bronze, to stainless steel and nickel to many other options,' Richard says. 'Our recommendation is to stick with two or three metal finishes to keep a cohesive look throughout, while also working to a 70/30 ratio.
White. Few paint colors stand the test of time quite like white. "Honestly, the only color in my opinion that will never go out of style—in the sense that you can never really pinpoint when it was done—is white cabinets," says Shaolin Low, principal and founder of Studio Shaolin.