Kitchen layouts and floor plan ideas.
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Kitchens hold a special place as “the heart of the home” for a reason. They are the bustling hub where food is prepared, creativity flourishes, and cherished moments are shared with loved ones.
Crafting a functional and stylish kitchen layout is essential for maximizing efficiency and creating an inviting space for cooking, entertaining, and gathering with family and friends. From the placement of appliances to the arrangement of cabinets and countertops, every element plays a vital role in shaping the overall flow and functionality of your kitchen.
While kitchen design trends and materials come and go, there are some kitchen layout principles that are tried and true. You may have heard of the “kitchen triangle” — placing your stovetop, sink, and refrigerator in a triangle formation. By arranging these three elements in a triangular formation, cooks can seamlessly navigate between tasks, making meal preparation a more efficient and enjoyable experience. This classic layout continues to stand the test of time, serving as a cornerstone of functional kitchen design.
Whether you're in the process of designing a new kitchen or looking to revamp your existing one, these are the key components to consider on your layout plan:
- Appliances: Common kitchen appliances include a refrigerator, freezer, stove or cooktop, oven, vent hood, microwave, and dishwasher. If you are starting a new kitchen design from scratch, we recommend placing your appliances and sink on the plan first and building the rest of the design around them. It’s important to also take note of any electrical, water, or gas hookups you’ll need to support these appliances and indicate their placement and dimensions on the plan.
- Sink: The sink is a crucial element in a kitchen, used for washing dishes, food preparation, and cleaning. It’s common to place the sink in front of a window, but this is purely a stylistic choice. If you have the space, some modern kitchens include two sinks in the kitchen plan — one for food prep closer to your stove or main worktop and the other for cleaning closer to your dishwasher or where you store dishes.
- Countertops: Countertops are essential work surfaces in a kitchen. They provide space for food preparation, cooking, and other kitchen tasks. Indicate the location and dimensions of countertops on your floor plan. Standard counter depth is 24 inches, this is also the standard size for base cabinets. But if you go the custom cabinetry route, you can get creative with your counter depth and extend up to 30 inches deep.
- Cabinets and Storage: In addition to your base cabinets with countertops, you can incorporate open shelving, wall cabinets, or tall pantry cabinets in your plan for additional storage space for dishes, cookware, and pantry items. The standard depth for wall cabinets is 12”. Pantry cabinet depths can vary in size depending on your layout.
- Kitchen Island or Work Table: An island or work table provides additional workspace, storage, and seating options. Allow for between 24 and 48 inches of walking space around your island.
- Seating: Seating areas in kitchens come in all shapes and sizes. If you have an island or work table, you may want to include stools or bench seating on one or multiple sides. If you plan to have a dining area in your kitchen, include a dining table and chairs or a breakfast nook with banquette seating. Or, take a page out of our favorite kitchen designer’s book (cough Helen Parkhust of DeVol cough) and include an accent chair or two for a more cozy seating option.
- Lighting Fixtures: Proper task lighting is essential in a kitchen. Include lighting fixtures such as overhead lights, pendant lights, wall sconces, and under-cabinet lighting in your plan to ensure adequate illumination.
Remember, the specific elements and layout of a kitchen can vary depending on personal preferences, available space, and functional needs. It's important to create a floor plan that optimizes workflow, provides ample storage, and reflects your unique style. Get creative and have fun with your layouts! If you need an extra hand, check out our step-by-step guide on How To Design a Kitchen.
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