{"id":227714,"date":"2023-08-11T14:54:51","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T18:54:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/?p=227714"},"modified":"2023-08-11T14:57:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T18:57:15","slug":"how-to-design-a-functional-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/design\/how-to-design-a-functional-kitchen","title":{"rendered":"How to design a functional kitchen"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Proper ventilation is an important part of designing a functional kitchen. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Hands down, the most important room in the home is the kitchen. It\u2019s called the heart of the home for a reason, namely that this hub is where homeowners spend most of their time. Also, its central location sets the style tone for the entire home.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why thoughtful planning around not only how a kitchen looks, but how it supports lifestyle, functionality and aesthetic is time well spent. And for new-build homeowners, the chance to direct upgrades<\/a> towards their kitchen design to achieve these goals is enticing. But how should homeowners approach their kitchen design? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery kitchen project starts with attention to ergonomics and efficiency. Yes, it must be beautiful, but it must function according to how homeowners live and work in the kitchen,\u201d says master kitchen and bath designer Courtney Zanelli<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Function first<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homeowners should first consider how they will use their kitchen – in detail. That means taking time to do a step-by-step analysis on how they move and work in a kitchen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visualize yourself in the kitchen preparing a meal. What tools are you using? How many steps do you have to take to access them?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do an inventory of what you are likely to use most often, from pots and pans, cutting boards and spices to small appliances. Everything needs to have a place and needs to be accessible according to priority of use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about streamlining the process. When I’m standing at the range, I need to have access to my essential tools. We drill down from that to suggest, while standing at the range, there should be a drawer that has some utensils with dividers. There should be a good block of counterspace near where I am storing the cutting board, and so on,\u201d says Zanelli. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homeowners should also think about features that would elevate their everyday life, based on lifestyle. Perhaps having a pot filler or hot water tap would make life easier. Bakers or homeowners who entertain large groups would benefit from a double wall oven, or a second dishwasher.  A large family might appreciate a walk-in pantry to keep snacks and staples handy, while coffee drinkers would get a lot of use out of a separate coffee bar with enough space to channel their inner barista.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gregory James<\/a>,<\/em> <\/strong>executive chef at the Inn at Perry Cabin and <\/em>winner of the <\/em>Restaurant Association of Maryland Best Chef of the Year (2022)<\/em> advises homeowners to adopt a function-first approach, similar to how professional chefs set up their kitchens.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAmple counter and cabinet space are must-have features for a kitchen. Spaces that are multifunctional and are designed thoughtfully to utilize every inch allow for the best experience in a kitchen, especially when cooking,\u201d says James. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create the kitchen triangle<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the fundamentals of kitchen design is the kitchen triangle, which is the area between the stove, sink and refrigerator\u2014 in other words, prep central. The idea is to have these stations in close proximity to each other, to minimize steps and to permit traffic flow in the kitchen, which is particularly useful if you\u2019ve got more than one cook. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The kitchen triangle enhances functionality. Photo Credit: Lakeside at Trappe, Brookfield Residential<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The kitchen triangle concept was developed in the 1940s, from builders who were trying to cut costs by making kitchens more compact, but the efficiencies that propagated from this tight and tidy triangle have made it a design principle that has endured generations and is the cornerstone of good kitchen design today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen possible, a work triangle should be created from the center of the sink to the center of the cooktop\/range, to the center of the refrigerator and back to the sink,\u201d says Erin Smith, senior director of sales & marketing at Brookfield Residential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the size of the triangle will obviously vary depending on the size of the kitchen, there are a few general guidelines:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n