How to design a kitchen layout?
When it comes to a new kitchen renovation there are so many different factors to consider from what new hob you are going to choose, to the colour of your new kitchen cabinets. However, one thing that should take priority above all, is the kitchen layout.
A good kitchen layout is pivotal to having a functioning and easy-to-navigate kitchen. A well-planned kitchen layout can help speed up productivity in your new kitchen, make it easier to use and also provide more space making the kitchen a more welcoming and positive space.
With that being said, actually planning and designing your kitchen layout can be difficult, with no one size fits all option, everybody’s kitchen will be different meaning that you will need to get creative and innovative when it comes to the design and kitchen layout stage.
As the leading kitchen designer in Peterborough, we have some helpful and nifty kitchen layout tricks that you can use to incorporate into your new kitchen renovation. Whether that is a helpful storage solution, a space-saving idea or a clever installation idea; this blog will provide you with a breakdown of each tip and some ways to improve your kitchen layout.
5 Best Kitchen Layout Ideas
If you are stuck when it comes to coming up with a new kitchen layout for your home kitchen renovation, take some inspiration from our kitchen designers with five of the best kitchen layout ideas that you can add to your plan.
The five best kitchen layout ideas include:
- Plan for a comfortable distance between the main fixtures
- Place the kitchen stove on an exterior wall
- Measure the ideal distance for the kitchen island
- Plan your design around the sink
- Create a floor plan then visualise it in 3D
1. Plan for a comfortable distance between the main fixtures
Although the design and aesthetics are important to consider when designing a new kitchen, something that takes priority over this, is the actual practical tasks that you will complete in the kitchen day to day and how that would work. There is no good having a pretty-looking kitchen that is designed so poorly that it takes you more than 5 minutes to grab a glass and fill up a cup of tap water!
Therefore consider the important tasks and routines that you do in your kitchen on a regular basis – preparing, cooking, serving and cleaning up meals. This process needs to have a lot of thought behind it and don’t be surprised if this takes you longer than first anticipated.
One example that you may need to consider is the distance of the hob from your sink. Think, if these are too far apart you will have to keep going back and forth between the two and it will be exhausting. Another example may be placing the fridge too far away from your preparation area on your worktop making it hard work to get anything ever prepared in your kitchen. There are lots of different processes you need to consider and plan the structure of your kitchen around these procedures.
2. Place the kitchen stove on an exterior wall
A great unwritten rule that is spoken by kitchen designers is to always place the stove on an exterior wall rather than an island or interior wall when possible. The ultimate reason for this is to make it easier and less expensive to install the new kitchen stove, thus helping you fit your kitchen renovation into your budget. That being said, if you are really hoping to place your kitchen stove in the centre of your kitchen island, absolutely go for it! Just remember to consider this procedure will cost you a lot more in installation costs than placing it on an exterior wall.
3. Measure the ideal distance for the kitchen island
A kitchen island’s location in the kitchen needs to be considered carefully if you are attempting to add one to your new kitchen layout. Remember to plan on the measurements specifically so that they will not block the area in front of major appliances such as ovens, fridges, freezers and dishwashers.
In addition to this, remember to allow enough space for the appliance door and kitchen cupboard doors to swing open plus a walking room to be able to pass when the doors are open. With that in mind, you also do not want to place it too far away, with the recommended distance between the worktop and your kitchen island being that of a comfortable arm’s reach away whilst still providing access to open doors and walk past too.
4. Plan your design around the sink
Now we are not saying that you should make the sink the stand-out, centrepiece of your kitchen however when it comes to designing a kitchen a general rule that many kitchen designers follow is to place the sink first and then design from there.
This rule typically stems from the days when dishwashers weren’t as popular and a sink was one of the most important aspects of the kitchen allowing you to prepare food and wash dirty pots, pans and dishes.
Although ovens, hobs and fridges are very important appliances, it seems that a sink is still a vital area we need inside the kitchen. From filling up pots and pans to washing fruits and vegetables, it is still a hot point for activity in the kitchen. Therefore, think about placing your sink first. Some of the best places to put a kitchen sink are with a view near a window or a view into the room itself. A kitchen island is also another great choice to place your sink before designing around it.
5. Create a floor plan then visualise it in 3D
Once you come up with the ideal kitchen plan and ensure that you have triple-checked each and every measurement, you can start to build out the floor plan. This will be used by the kitchen designer and kitchen fitter alike so they can craft the kitchen of your dreams. Furthermore, we recommend creating a visualised 3D plan of your floor plan. This will give you a great representation of what the new kitchen plan will look like in reality allowing you to change any little things you are not too keen on in the design stage rather than after the build is finished!
Free Design Service in Peterborough
If you live in the Peterborough area and are unsure of the best way to layout and design your kitchen, get in touch with Kellyvision. We are the leading independent kitchen design company located in Whittlesey, Peterborough and offer a selection of different kitchen ranges to suit all your preferences.
Furthermore, if you live within Peterborough and the surrounding areas, we can offer a free design service that will include a kitchen design expert coming to measure your kitchen space, incorporate your kitchen ideas then create a kitchen floor plan. This floor plan will involve all your own unique ideas and preferences, including a design that is spacious, easy to navigate and looks incredible. This floor plan will then be converted into a 3D visualisation that you can then use to understand the new look of your kitchen. We will then provide you with this design free of charge, alongside a quotation for the entire kitchen renovation.
For more information on our free quotation and kitchen design service, please get in contact with a member of the team on 01733 20 87 87 or visit our showroom.
Conclusion
Overall, you should now have a fully comprehensive idea of some kitchen tips you can factor into your new kitchen layout to make it that extra bit easier to navigate, use and live with on a day-to-day basis. It is important that your kitchen design not only looks great but is also practical to use. Think if you are spending all this money on a kitchen, you will want it to be functional and easy to use as you will have to deal with this layout for the next twenty or thirty years of your life! Take time and plan your kitchen layout accordingly; do not be afraid to scrap ideas and go back to page one too because there is nothing worse than rushing a kitchen design and layout.