Top 7 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen

The kitchen is an integral part of your home design. It is the centre of activity in your house, used for everything from rush mornings before leaving to family dinners and getting together for a cup of tea with friends. It must, therefore, look good and function well. A well-thought-out kitchen design can help ensure that you enjoy spending time in your kitchen, whether cooking, cleaning, eating, or entertaining. 

Hence, Brick & Bolt presents the best tips for designing a functional kitchen for your home. Follow our tips for creating the most efficient and functional kitchen, including choosing a kitchen layout, countertop, and appliances, providing ample storage and kitchen lighting, and considering a kitchen work triangle that meets all of your needs.

7 Tips for Designing a Functional Kitchen

Are you confused about how to design a functional kitchen? Then don’t worry; follow the below tips.

1. Decide on Your Kitchen Layout

Choosing the layout is the first step in designing a functional kitchen. The kitchen layout is the shape that is created by the arrangement of the countertop, storage areas and major appliances. The general layout of the kitchen is the first and most important thing to consider when designing a new kitchen and selecting the best cabinetry options for your house. The most popular kitchen layouts are Galley, L-shaped, one-wall, U-shaped, and island kitchen layout designs. 

2. Give Ample Storage Solutions

There can never be enough storage in a kitchen. Examine every storage unit you currently have and come up with a plan to make sure you've used every inch. Add pull-out shelves and drawers in your cabinets, drawer organisers, and extra racks inside your cupboards for maximum space utilisation and to eliminate dead spaces. Stuff in difficult-to-reach places can be easier to store with additional storage options like the rotating tray or table. Additionally, tray dividers can help maintain and organise things like pot and pan covers. For ultimate organisation in your kitchen and yourself, consider custom storage options. Compared to the traditional kitchen, the modular kitchen gives you the privilege to customize your storage options as per your needs.

3. Consider Kitchen Work Triangle 

Ensuring a clear workflow is essential to having a functional kitchen. The workflow should be planned so that you can move seamlessly between tasks, eliminating the need for backtracking. You can plan that workflow by considering the kitchen work triangle. The kitchen work triangle connects three major work areas of the kitchen- stove, sink, and refrigerator. The lines connecting each point should be easily accessible and free of obstructions. The work triangle is designed to create a productive workspace in the kitchen. 

4. Streamline Your Kitchen Space

The functionality of your kitchen depends mainly on placement and accessibility. Consider how you use the kitchen to prepare meals, store items, or clean them, then divide the space according to proximity and function. For example, consider mounting your sink on the island facing the living room rather than installing your sink under the window. You can talk to people while cleaning or doing dishes in this manner. Keep your utensils in a drawer next to the dishwasher to facilitate unloading. 

5. Decide on Countertops and Surfaces

Countertops are a crucial component of every kitchen design. A kitchen countertop is a flat kitchen surface where you can prepare food, particularly on top of low furniture; it gives kitchen functionality. The design of your kitchen will determine how you arrange your countertops. Consider incorporating a kitchen island into your design if you need more space. You can select from a wide variety of countertop materials and styles. Quartz, laminate, stainless steel, wood, and marble are a few of the most widely used countertop materials; they are also available in various colours. However, choosing a material that is easy to clean and maintain is crucial.

6. Wisely Choose Your Kitchen Appliances

The appliances you choose can also affect the functionality of your kitchen. Easy-to-use and easily cleaned appliances are essential for a functional kitchen. In addition, consider smart appliances, which integrate cutting-edge technology into their designs, if you want to create a high-tech kitchen. If you have a smaller space, look for energy-efficient appliances and choose ones that combine multiple uses, like a microwave and range hood combo. To give the appearance of cabinetry and a more streamlined appearance, you can also conceal your appliances behind cabinet doors.

7. Give Sufficient Kitchen Lighting

Both artificial and natural lighting are necessary for a functional kitchen and also a modern kitchen design trend. Add bright lighting to the prep areas, stove, and countertops. Good lighting makes measuring or chopping food easier on the eyes and facilitates visibility of the work being done. Especially at night, under-cabinet lighting works wonders for illuminating countertops and improving visibility. It's also a simple method of adding extra light to smaller areas with low natural lighting.

Conclusion

On a final note, when working on your kitchen design, it's critical to remember that not everyone uses their kitchen the same way you used it. Your practical and functional kitchen may differ from someone else's, so always try to meet your specific needs. We hope that our design tips help you get basic and core design ideas to make your kitchen more efficient and functional, where you can enjoy your daily household stuff.