First decide the kitchen layout

When designing a kitchen, you need to first decide on the kitchen layout. The arrangement of appliances, sink or basin, cooking area and worktop should be hassle free and easy to move about. Here are some of the basic layouts you may consider depending on your space:

1. U shaped layout: It is very common and allows free movement between the two parallel legs. It is well suited to small and large kitchens alike. For a large space, you can also introduce an island for dining. It is apt for homes where two or three people need to cook at the same time.

2. L shaped layout: This is good for small kitchens. It also provides ample space to move around. Island works well with this layout if you have medium sized space. With this layout you have to consider storage requirement properly as there are two walls only to stretch your cabinets, with the sink area posing a limit.

3. Single line kitchen: This is the most basic design with a single platform for your cooking range, sink or basin and refrigerator - all in one line. It is good for kitchens that are narrow and long. Good for more than two people to work together. However, it does pose problems with storage.

4. Corridor layout: “Crowded look” is the main problem with this design. However storage is good and also the free flow between the cooking area, the basin and refrigerator. One parallel leg can be used exclusively for worktop and cooking area while the other can house the sink and refrigerator. Good for small-spaced kitchens.

5. Double L layout: This is a high-end version of L shaped kitchen layout. Instead of introducing an island, you can keep a smaller L shape at the open end of larger L. The smaller L can be utilized for cooking range and worktop area while the larger L can house the sink, microwave and refrigerator. Movement is free flowing and this design provides flexible storage too. However, it suits only large-spaced kitchens.

Plan for storage

Post layout designing, you should focus on storage. Cabinet layout on floor and wall will follow the basic layout of your kitchen. For floor cabinets you may opt for drawers or shelf style to suit your requirements. Glass, plastic or wood can be used for designing doors of cabinets. Glass doors work well for wall cabinets as they let you see storage instantly without having to climb and dig out. Inner shelving inside the cabinets will depend on what you want to stack. For example, if it is large utensils… you may divide the cabinet into half horizontally, but if it is cup and saucer or just some small dishes, you can have two to three shelves. Drawers work well for miscellaneous items like spoons, knives, kitchen napkins and other kitchen tools.

Plan the dining space

Post layout and cabinet designing, you should focus on dining space. In case you have opted for an island, it will serve the purpose. Else you can go for foldable dining set or provide a foldable extension on one of the ends of your kitchen. For small spaces, go for movable islands. For larger kitchens you have the luxury to either include a multi-functional island or full-fledged dining table set.

Floor designing

Once the above three basic layouts are in place, you can decide on the flooring design. This includes tile work and floor lamination (if required). You may select tiles depending on the overall home décor or just innovate a whole new look. Tiles can also be added to the backsplash and sink areas.

Design assistance

Once you are clear on all the aspects, you can design your kitchen with the help of online templates like ones available in Microsoft Visio. There are other applications available too that help you design a kitchen layout. You can also consult an interior designer to design a kitchen or take some help from local hardware shop to get a final draft.

What are your thoughts on kitchen designing?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about designing a kitchen layout? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

Whether you have the luxury of a grand and spacious kitchen or confused about how you can design anything in that small kitchen space, there are always great options with the ever increasing ready-to-fix products. What you choose should not only depend on your space, but also functionality for your kitchen. That’s because a functionally challenging kitchen can make cooking process cumbersome and wear you out.

Kitchen design idea - Island kitchen arrangement. Photo courtesy of Bill Stella Kitchens, Inc.

Styling your kitchen comes much later, so hang on with those amazing themes that you have planned. First and foremost ensure your basic layouts are clearly laid out and the hardware linked to those sections carefully planned. The following sections are critical in a kitchen design and should be well planned:

1. Floor plan: First and foremost is the floor plan. A floor plan can be U-shape, L-shape, Galley or one with an Island in the middle. Again what plan you select depends on the space. For example, an L-shape and Island would be best for a large kitchen; while for a small kitchen, galleys plan would be suitable.

2. Storage: Second point of focus should be storage. Since storage is of prime concern, it should be efficiently planned out. Try using every inch available for a neat storage space. This would involve not only planning on your base and wall cabinets but also the vertical wall storage like wall organizers, movable trolley storage etc.

A large kitchen can have the luxury of numerous base cabinets and few wall cabinets. But in a small kitchen where every inch counts, you can try equal number of base and wall cabinets (avoid a cramping though). Small kitchens can use more of foldable and ready to mount kind of storage fixtures rather than permanent ones, which can make it cramped. So a vertical plastic shelf with 4-5 drawers can be used instead of extra cabinets to serve the purpose as well as fit in small space.

3. Kitchenware: Mostly people like to keep their appliances like refrigerator, microwave and oven in the kitchen itself. But if space is a constraint, you can keep only the most regularly used appliances like refrigerator while keeping others in dining area or store room etc.

4. Dining: If you wish to dine in the kitchen itself, again you would have to consider your available space (after designing the aforesaid). Large kitchens can accommodate a big stylish dining table but small kitchens will have to make do with foldable tables and chairs. A double fold table (butterfly) saves quite a lot of space.

5. Theme: After setting up the basic kitchenware and tools in place, you can then design it around a particular style or theme. This can be the same as that of your home décor or a different color scheme. With a wide range of kitchen décor accessories, you have numerous places that you can beautify. Kitchen cabinet doors, handles, knobs, backsplash tiles and laminates, flooring tiles, ceiling lights and work area lights, wall accessories like innovative wall organizers, window pull up curtains and other decorative pieces can be arranged suitably to make your kitchen a designer one. However, do not over clutter, whether a small or big kitchen, as there is enough that gets generated through the day while you cook. So keep an organized look for a pleasant cooking experience through the day.

6. Durability: While selecting the above hardware, accessories and materials for your kitchen design, you should keep the durability factor in mind. Cabinets, drawers, backsplash tiles or glass are all high on investment and require time for installation. You would definitely want them to last long as well. Hence a careful selection of durable and easy to maintain materials should be done before the final purchase.

Kitchen designs can be varied – according to space, budget, and family dining requirements. However, designing it on paper or preparing a computer generated layout before you set up the actual is always better… it will help prevent expensive errors and also help estimate costs. So happy designing and happier cooking!

What do you think about all of this?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about kitchen designs? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

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Kitchen Design Ideas

A new or redesigned kitchen has many elements. There are cabinets, counters, appliances, backsplashes and so forth. All of these elements carry your kitchens look and feel and are important, but one important element that most people put little effort into is the wall coverings in their kitchen.

Custom kitchen wallpaper

Options for your kitchen walls:

1. Paint
2. Faux painting
3. Wallpaper
4. Custom wallpaper

Paint

Of course, paint is the first option when it comes to covering the walls in your kitchen. But finding an accent color to match the look and feel of your kitchen can be tricky. Try this approach: on the Sherwin-Williams website there is a color visualizing tool that is very handy for finding complimentary tones to match your kitchen. If that doesn’t work most professional paint stores have large books full of color combinations that can stimulate your creativity.

Paint is cheap, easy to do on your own and can easily be redone. It’s a great option for the kitchen with a lot of visual activity going on in the cabinetry and countertops. Having a solid tone that “pulls it all together” is important sometimes.

Faux painting

Yes, there are a lot of colors to paint your kitchen, sometimes a dizzying selection. But if your desires lean towards something beyond plain paint consider faux painting.

Even at first blush there are a ton of options when it comes to faux painting. Glazes, textures, and colors all combine to create faux marble, leather texture, or an old mission look on your kitchen walls. Although you can find abundant information online about faux painting on your own, we suggest hiring a professional. Most kitchens do not have a large amount of open wall space and the advantages that a professional brings to the table are worth the price.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper is making a strong comeback. Once spurned as corny and cheesy, the new varieties of wall paper are very sophisticated. Just doing a simple search on Google reveals wallpaper of every kind. You can even search online for a color, design or even a particular scene. And unlike your mothers wallpaper, new wallpapers are easy to install and are very durable, which is important in the kitchen.

Custom wallpaper

Custom wallpaper is a new way to give your walls and spaces that personal touch that you cannot get from buying off the shelf wallpaper designs. By creating custom designs, you have the freedom to use any idea you have to make your space your own. The kitchen is a place that people often overlook when decorating their walls. Custom wallpaper can really tie a kitchen together and make it pop!

Kitchens are great for custom wallpaper designs because they usually do not have large empty walls. This makes them great for smaller, accent type of designs. The area above the counters and below the cabinetry is ideal for adding custom designs. Long horizontal designs work best in this space. Some theme ideas to consider are: flowers, shells, farm, mountain, animals, ancient sea maps, old newspaper clippings, or clouds. Any of these themes can be taken advantage of to make a kitchen design complete. Abstract designs are a great way to go as well. Geometric shapes, tribal designs, Celtic knots, mosaics, and other designs can make a fun and interesting pattern with which to decorate your kitchen. Once you have decided on a theme all you need to do is find a photo or digital image of what you are looking for. You can either take the photos yourself or buy them from an online supplier.

Once you select the photo you want to use you go to megaprint.com and upload the image. They’ll print the image to your exact specifications onto wallpaper.

Justin Gilmore is a freelance writer located in Boise, Idaho. He writes on topics of large format printing and custom wallpaper for http://www.megaprint.com.

Kitchen pantry cabinet with shelves and door racks. Photo courtesy of Photobucket.

A kitchen pantry design should be extensive – think of all the possible things that you want to stack in it. That is because once you will create shelves or racks, it will be difficult to accommodate any unplanned stuff like some appliance that you may use sparingly. Most of the times we like to keep new kitchen purchases or unused tools immediately in the pantry. You need to plan for that extra storage corner which can be used for such exigencies. Once you know your stuff, you can begin planning the storage sections.

Homes with ample space can often draw out a separate room for pantry but those with less or no space have the following options:

• You can stack light weight racks on available wall space for small items like spices etc.
• A small movable rack can be safely stacked in any of the available corners for fruits and vegetables etc.
• Hanging racks can be used on backside of kitchen doors to stack light weight food items like soup packets, tea bag pouch etc.

How much space you can inch out depends on you. Just ensure it does not increase clutter.

If you plan to have a large sized pantry, first begin with your type of kitchen pantry design:

1. Select a layout: Keep it single closet, L shaped or U shaped depending on your space and its proximity to your cooking area. A single closet is suitable for mid-sized space and could be placed almost parallel to your cooking area. L shape is suited to mid-sized and large-sized kitchens. U shaped is good for large spaces and large families.

2. Access space: With a L shape or U shape, do remember to keep ample walking space between the L or U parallel legs.

3. Shelving: Space between each shelf can be used for a variety of stock. For example, the lower most shelf should be around 15-20 inches long to allow heavy appliances, recently purchased stock, big cans etc. to be stored. Measure from bottom and keep marking the shelves as you go up.

The next two shelves should again have a spacing of at least 12 inches to allow storage of big containers, bottles, canned tins etc. At about your hands reach, keep shelves of about 8.5-10 inches for storage of everyday items like spices, cereals, sauces which are generally stored in smaller bottles or cans. The higher shelves should stack items that are taken out sparingly. You can also keep kitchenware like pans, casseroles etc. here.

4. Extra space: Always keep a small section for unplanned storage needs like a newly purchased utensil, huge sack of grains or a new appliance like a juicer etc. This can be either on the top-most shelf or the bottom-most.

Depending upon your requirements, you can chart out shelves in a variety of ways, for example can have vertical shelves for large trays, a rectangular section for storing wine bottles, diagonal racks for cereal boxes, a small section for stacking cookery books etc.

Once you are clear with the layout, you need to choose the pantry organizers. They come in a wide range of sliding baskets, racks, drawers, trays, vegetable bins or basket, wrap organizers, stacking bins, wall hooks for aprons or napkins etc. Except drawers or sliding baskets, other organizers can be freely kept anywhere on the shelves and can be re-arranged as per requirements. So, keep flexible organizers like baskets that you can swap as and when needed.

Last on the kitchen pantry design list is storage pattern. You may like to store alphabetically row over row, label it over the racks, have a separate kids’ food section, store category wise, by size, by weight or just by some creative style that you may desire. Ultimately, it should be fast to search, comfortable to access, orderly arranged and above all a pleasant section of your kitchen.

What are your thoughts on kitchen pantry design?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about designing a kitchen pantry? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

Also, be sure to check out this kitchen design software. It will help you visualize your project quickly in realistic 3D.

How-To Video

Organizing Your Pantry and Refrigerator

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Kitchen designers are competent enough to get the right picture of what your kitchen really is in terms of space or layout and are able to give the right judgment of what will really work for you. As a novice you may be enticed to incorporate jazzy designs or hardware for your kitchen, but a kitchen designer may show you how simple designs can probably make it look much better. In short, they have greater clarity and a better perspective.

So what are the advantages of working with a kitchen designer? Quite a few to consider:

1. Kitchen designers are experienced and hence can visualize exact placement and layout of your kitchen hardware stuff like cabinets, peninsula or island etc.

2. Kitchen designers have good know-how of what materials would suit a particular style or design. Hence they can help you make an informed decision.

3. Kitchen designers can help you choose cabinets, doors, tiles etc. that will not only be of your choice but also within your budget.

4. Kitchen designers are aware of the latest trends for kitchens and hence can help you bring in newer and more functional kitchen cabinets etc.

5. Kitchen designers can give you more functional ideas than what you may have already thought of.

6. Kitchen designers have experience of working with many hardware stores for their implementations; hence they can give you tips on which hardware store to buy from.

7. Kitchen designers have an eye for detail that you, as a novice, may miss out.

8. The final look is there to stay for a long time, so some investment in terms of their fees justifies the great look that your kitchen will get.

Now that you see the brighter side of a kitchen designer, you need to find one. So how to find a kitchen designer that suits you?

1. The first and best source is your own network of friends or family. If anyone has hired a kitchen designer in the past, they will be able to refer and share their experience of hiring one.

2. Your local hardware shops would have many such contacts.

3. In case you know an interior designer, they are a good source of helping you with kitchen designers.

4. You can carry out some research on Internet (websites like Service Magic) and home interior design magazines. Usually home décor magazines have immense articles and information on kitchen designs and people who design it.

With all your search and research for a kitchen designer, you may still be apprehensive about their working style and your budget going off hand. You can take a few tips for choosing a kitchen designer to get rid of any doubts:

1. Kitchen designing is a time-intensive process and hence you need to hire the right designer. Do not rush and take your time in selecting the right one, even if that takes a month or two.

2. Once you have selected your options, know their credentials and previous stints.

3. You can contact them to see their sample work in terms of pictures or any site that they are working on.

4. Brief them on your maximum budget to help them decide if they can deliver what you want in that limit and save you from any future surprises.

5. Check if they work for some kitchen appliance store or firm or work independently. They may be more of sales person for the firm than your personal designer.

6. Discuss the time limits, working schedules etc. with them before your assign them your contract. This will ensure you both don’t end up in a deadlock for time.

7. Choose someone who is in proximity of your area. Selecting a kitchen designer who is at one end of city and you at the other would only increase the time span of your renovation work and may cause problems due to commuting delays etc.

You should freely discuss what you have planned and what you really want. A good kitchen designer will always blend his expertise with your taste and deliver the right look.

What are your thoughts on kitchen designers?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about working with kitchen designers? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

The ease of using tiles in kitchen, whether it is for floor or walls, is that you get to coordinate the style of your kitchen décor with the rest of the house and maintain an easy to use and clean material all the time. Tiles are very convenient for everyday mess that is created by sauces, hot liquids and hot oil etc. because they can be easily cleaned up with liquid cleaners. They also conduct the heat from hot vessels and thus are safe to use. Apart from that they enhance the look of a kitchen when arranged suitably.

A kitchen tile design idea - the backsplash here is created of natural stone tiles in combination with multi-colored ceramic tiles. Photo courtesy of StoneImpressions

Kitchen wall tile design tips and ideas

Kitchen wall tile designs depend on what areas you wish to cover and safeguard against water, food splatters etc. Here are a few tips that can be handy:

1. Whether it is backsplash area or countertop, choose bright colors like red, blue, magenta etc. as any food stains will not show easily on them (just in case you don’t get time to clean the area regularly). White tiles for these areas are more prone to food stains and water marks. Choose it only if you can keep it sparkling clean everyday.

2. If you are installing the tiles on walls yourself, be sure to get the right measurements for the area being covered. Once you have measured and marked it well, ensure the tiles are cut well to fit to the area marked. Space between the tiles should also be considered well so as to keep the grouting easy and clean. Tile adhesives are available which can be used to fix tiles firmly on areas like backsplash etc.

In case you think you cannot do it yourself, get a professional to do the job.

3. Keep your tools handy while arranging the tiles to avoid messing up the walls. You can check with the local hardware shop for adhesives, tools and grout as per your requirements.

Materials and styles

Kitchen tile designs come in materials like ceramic, granite, porcelain, glass etc. Check with the local hardware shop for durability as per the area being designed. For example if it is the countertop area, you may want to go with ceramic tile that can take high temperatures of cooking vessels with ease. You may also wish to choose from a variety of styles like mural backsplash, stone backsplash, glass or metal backsplash etc. Go for something that suits your style, is easy to maintain and fits in your budget.

Kitchen floor tile design tips and ideas

Kitchen tile design for floors is yet another interesting creative area of your kitchen. Though it is always better to go for simpler tiles in single shades, you may want to opt for some patterns like bars, checks or jig jag designs. Or use small tiles with big tiles to create a unique pattern. Diamond shaped arrangement also creates a visually appealing floor pattern. You can blend it with the flooring of your home or just come up with a brand new design. Again one should remember that kitchen tiles are prone to stains, hot liquid spills and grime generated from heat and smoke in the kitchen. Hence durability and ease of cleaning should be given preference when selecting kitchen tile designs for floor.

Again, as is the case with wall tiles, you need to be ready with tools required for installation of tiles on floor. Choose adhesive for floor tiles suitably as it would go a long way in keeping the tile arrangement long-lasting and durable. Select the grout material that you want to use. Online layout designing is easy and can be found at most tile sites. You can first develop an estimate of the area to be covered; number of tiles required etc. by using such online tools and visualize how your layout will look like. If you are unable to use online tools, you can get help from your local hardware shop to help you plan the layout.

Though tile arrangement is not an impossible task, but surely is one that cannot be changed very frequently. Hence do consider durability factor while making your selection. With just a few careful steps, you can easily sketch a whole new look for your kitchen.

Choice of layouts and where U shaped layout scores

There are a few layouts that can be implemented depending on the space your kitchen has. G shape, L shape, U shape and island layout are commonly used layouts. A U shaped kitchen layout is useful in kitchens with good space and when more than person needs to cook. With a U shaped kitchen design, you can freely use ample of space in form of countertop area, basin or sink area and the worktop area. It also accommodates appliances like refrigerator, microwave etc. comfortably.

U shaped kitchen design. Photo courtesy of Kitchen Design Center

The arrangement in a U shaped kitchen design: Tips and ideas

A U shaped kitchen design actually works like a triangle, virtually. Basin or sink and worktop areas are usually parallel to each other while the countertop area is the middle portion. This allows ease of function as all the three sections are almost equidistant.

The cabinet placement high up on the walls can also follow the same arrangement, although it is best to keep cabinets only over the cooking area, where most of your handy stuff can be accommodated.

The worktop area should be kept relatively free of any kitchen ware so that it can be conveniently used while preparing food and also serve as temporary serving area in case you like self-service. The cabinets below the sink should be guarded against water spills that occur during dish washing and used for keeping more of cleaning tools than food items. Preferably arrange your sink parallel to the worktop area so that post washing of cut veggies or fruits, you can directly use them at cooking area.

Regularly-used cutlery and utensil arrangement can pose some difficulties with so many cabinets in U shape, as you may have to run from one cabinet to another to place or find the desired cutlery or utensil. To avoid that you can have a vertical cabinet near the sink so that once they are washed and dried, they can be easily placed in that cabinet. The other sparingly used cutlery or utensils can then be safely stacked in other cabinets under the cooking area or worktop area.

Ingredients that are usually used in cooking should be kept either at the worktop area or right in the cabinet below your cooking range to avoid too much running around and bending around the cabinets.

Refrigerator and microwave positions are crucial as they are most frequently used while one cooks. Hence it is ideal to place the refrigerator and microwave on parallel legs of U shape. This is a convenient placement as most of the times one requires reheating of refrigerated food. Ensure that you arrange these two appliances at the end of these two parallel legs so that space in middle is not cluttered.

With island: While U shape is a classic layout for most medium and large sized kitchens, one can also introduce a small leg in the middle or at the end of one of the legs if there is enough space in the kitchen. This serves as a small island and allows you to create a dining space and make serving snacks or food easier. So, what you get is a U shaped kitchen design with island.

Ventilation is another important aspect while designing a U shaped kitchen. While the cooking range should ideally occupy the middle leg of U shape, do keep the ventilation factor in mind before doing so. Otherwise this shape can cause claustrophobic condition in the kitchen. Keeping a chimney ventilator over the cooking range is useful. Also, if you have a window on the base leg of U shape, it will be very helpful and make cooking easy. In case there is no window do ensure to keep a chimney ventilator.

Online modeling of kitchen can be done with help of some sites, which helps in planning out where and what of your U shaped kitchen design. Before you fix it permanently, try designing your layout online to check for your kitchen’s feasibility. With a U shaped kitchen design, things are definitely easier to plan around. And since more than one person can easily function together without causing disruption to any of the areas you can definitely persuade your mate to work along! What better than that?

What are your thoughts on U shaped kitchen designs?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about designing a U shaped kitchen? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

L shaped kitchen design idea. Photo courtesy of Kitchen Design Center

The basics of L shaped kitchen design

In L shaped design, the shorter leg can be utilized for keeping the cooking range while the longer leg can be utilized for sink or basin arrangement with refrigerator at its end. Appliances like microwave should also be placed on the shorter leg to synchronize food-related work on the same leg. So, the triangle would still exist but in this case you shuttle from refrigerator or sink to cooking area, while in U shape it would have been from the sink to refrigerator to cooking area. Remember to provide curved ends to the leg that begins from entrance of kitchen… as a pointy edge could hurt you.

L shaped kitchen design with island

The space opposite to the corner of L shape can be conveniently utilized for keeping an island to be used as dining space. You can also opt for a small set of table and chairs depending on your requirement. L shaped kitchen design with island would be a good idea in case you have good space and would also like to add some extra storage in terms of stacking cutlery, table napkins etc. This may not be possible with a table and chair set, but would be good for small spaces. Do not over-clutter in either case as that can obstruct your movement around the L shape. Keep an island with two or three cabinets and three to four people seating arrangement.

Cabinets for L shaped kitchen design

Cabinets in L shaped kitchen design should be extended along the lengths of the L shape. Use cabinets above cooking area up to the sink but not above it. Or if you do wish to stretch the wall cabinets along both the legs of L shape, place smaller height cabinets above the sink area to keep a comfortable work space around the sink.

Cabinets above refrigerator space should be designed in accordance with the height of your refrigerator. Keep a good amount of distance while fitting it in that space else it may fit tightly and can also get scratches in the process.

Another great way to utilize space in L shaped kitchen design is to use a long cabinet at the end of long leg. This would allow for more storage. However, it would work well for a large space where the long leg can be utilized for sink, refrigerator and a tall cabinet.

Ventilation

Ventilation in terms of a window is helpful and should be used for placing sink so as to ensure faster drying of that area. In case there is no window, go for chimney ventilation above the cooking range to avoid suffocation and discomfort.

Getting the design right

You can design and plan your requirements for an L shaped kitchen design through online layouts. This would help you place your appliances, wall cabinets, base cabinets and sink according to the space available, ease of use and comfortable working. You can also plan for a fixed or movable island according to space available. A movable island provides flexibility of space and allows easy movement in case of a small to medium size kitchen. However, in a larger kitchen, keeping a fixed island would help and serve as a temporary work area and for extra storage.

Estimating what your kitchen space can accommodate or what it cannot, along with ease of everyday work, can help you design L shaped kitchen optimally. Do not over-clutter a small or medium size space and do not over-extend a large space. You can plan it with online layouts or even check with your local hardware shop.

What are your thoughts on L shaped kitchen designs?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about designing an L shaped kitchen? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

Why go for open kitchen design

Open kitchen design is fast catching attention with its ability to accommodate kitchenware and dining space and at the same time have a seamless extension into the living room, where you first receive your guests. This is a more comfortable design that allows conversation across the two spaces even as you cook. Whether you have a small space or a large one, open plan kitchen design can be incorporated in both. While a small space may have few seating arrangements for its island or dining space; large kitchen can certainly accommodate a more lavish dining space, not just an island but a complete dining table set.

An open kitchen design with island in the center. The design offers a seamless extension into the living room. Photo courtesy of Ideizaremont.com

Open kitchen design serves many purposes

An open kitchen design with island is a great idea because it serves multiple purposes:

• It serves as a temporary worktop area.
• You can create extra storage space by building cabinets in it.
• Serves as a dining space.
• It can be meticulously used to hide the view of not-so-desirable portion of your kitchen from the living space. For example, you may position it in a way that your cooking area or the sink area is almost hidden by the flower arrangement or cutlery arrangement on the island top.

Organizing an open kitchen design

Small kitchens may not have the luxury of arranging everything in a flow as is the case with large kitchens, but things can certainly be planned for small open kitchen design. Foldable or extendable furniture or even a movable island can be used for dining. Use more of wall rods with hooks to accommodate your kitchenware. However do ensure it does not look over-cluttered. As far as possible, try to fit most of your not-so-pleasing kitchenware inside the cabinets or stack them in cabinets of your movable island. This would give a clean look to your kitchen.

The cooking area and the basin area also need to be kept clean at all times to avoid giving an unkempt look to your living room space. Even the dining area or the island should not be cluttered. Keep simple décor to give a clean look. Remember, an open kitchen design is not just a kitchen, it is an extension of your living room and should sync well with the overall décor and cleanliness.

Lighting and demarcations

Lighting arrangements can also play a significant part in how much of your kitchen is exposed at any time to the living area. During the day of course, there may be little you can hide; but in the evenings, keeping only dining area well lit by lamps can help take off focus from your cooking areas or sink area.

You can also have a variety of floor tile patterns to virtually demarcate end of kitchen, end of dining space etc. with different designs and arrangements of tiles, carpets, rugs or floor laminations.

Design an open kitchen properly

While designing an open kitchen, think of it as just one room with two or three virtual partitions which need different levels of highlighting. Maybe an initial design on paper or online layout will make the picture clearer. Keep the décor in sync so that no one area seems out of place or too stark in contrast. And plan for a simple yet appropriate dining space to suit your requirements.

Open kitchen design is like keeping a beautiful painting or piece of art on display for others to see. And why not, when cooking itself is an art, why not showcase it as one of your masterpieces?

What are your thoughts on open kitchen designs?

Do you have a suggestion or comment about designing an open kitchen? Please share your thoughts with us by filling in the comment form at the bottom of the page.

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Best kitchen designs focus on squeezing every available inch to maximize storage. Photo courtesy of Masco Cabinetry

Whether you are a passionate cook or just an intermittent visitor, a well-planned and neatly organized kitchen can ease off most of burden associated with cooking procedures.

Depending on your choice and space constraints, select kitchen decor to suit your style or synchronize it with the rest of your home décor. A few factors should be kept in mind while designing your dream kitchen. The best kitchen designs try to incorporate the following factors in their layouts:

1. Cooking space

Whether it is a microwave, stove or hotplate cooking, it is imperative that your cooking range is placed safely and comfortably. Choice of cooking range should depend on your cooking pattern, comfort and ease along with proper exhaust system. Space constraints can also influence the choice of cooking ware and best small space kitchen designs often incorporate trendy and easy to use hotplates or microwaves. Exhaust chimneys must be well planned to disperse the steam and heat, which can otherwise make it an unpleasant place to work. Best kitchen designs also ensure that the backsplash of your cooking area is one that is easy to manage (tiles with dark colors or waterproof semi-gloss paints) and at the same time in sync with the home décor.

2. Storage space

Organized storage of food items, utensils and cutlery is of utmost importance in making your kitchen easy to use and maintain. Best kitchen designs focus on squeezing every available inch to maximize storage, create extra storage from an unlikely space in kitchen and minimize any unwanted display of how it is being stored. This includes not only cabinets and shelves but also some wall mountable accessories that can hold cutlery or just some knick knacks of kitchen like napkins, tongs, strainer etc. Often small space kitchens can be fully equipped with such functional wall mounts or stick on equipments (like magnet bar to hold knives and spoons etc.) to create a good storage in every inch available.

3. Preparation workspace

Meal preparations can often turn messy with vegetable and meat wet garbage. Apart from that there are a million stains and cuts that are caused while cutting, draining or mincing. Best kitchen designs incorporate durable and sufficient materials to minimize visible impacts of such processes. Materials like mosaic, matt finish steel etc. are a good option to use as worktop surface.

Additional space can be created by using up wall shelves to stack everything you need during meal preparations. This is a boon for both small and spacious kitchens. Flexible furniture like dish racks, small vegetable stacking table etc. can give you that much needed space for storage and at the same time double up for worktops.

4. Cleaning space

Cleaning of food items and utensils can cause water spills on kitchen floor, unless proper sink and drainage has been provided for in the design. Best kitchen designs provide for a hassle free cleaning with sink and water flow arrangements that maximize cleaning process and minimize spills, drips and leakage. Placement of sink away from worktop ensures more space for temporary stacking of cleansed utensils and cutlery. Even in a small kitchen design, cleaning space should be away from work area to keep it clean and clutter free.

5. Dining space

Often, eating spaces are separate as dining halls but many people prefer an extended area into their kitchen to serve as dining place. Best kitchen designs provide for a dining place that can not only accommodate family for meals but also keeps the kitchen uncluttered. Small space kitchen designs can include foldable table tops (like leaf table tops or butterfly tops) or trolley carts to ensure space is not permanently occupied, while at the same time providing the leisure of wining and dining in your small but cozy kitchen space.

Flexibility and ease of use should be the main criteria in choosing elements for each of the above areas of your kitchen, which can not only make it more workable but also the preferred area in your home.

Meanwhile, here is kitchen design software that could help you get the best kitchen design for your kitchen.