Interiors: Kitchen Planning

Gone are the days of kitchens being used solely for culinary purposes. Modern families demand a more multi-functional zone that can be used for dining, relaxing and socialising in, too. And if you think about it, where do you and your family spend most of your time together? I’m certain it won’t be bathroom or study. To cater for this amount of use, and accommodate multiple functions, self-builders are tending to dedicate more floor space to kitchens, while renovators often knock several rooms together or build extensions to house the zone.

Kitchens top the list of most expensive rooms in the house, often costing more twice as much (per m²) to kit out as the rest of the house. With all these factors in mind, you may find the prospect of planning a new kitchen rather daunting. However, carefully considering your layout and design style will ensure that the heart of your home lives up to everyone’s expectations.

Initial plans

Laying out a new kitchen is far more complex than simply selecting cabinets and trying to make them fit your space. It’s essential that both form and function suit your lifestyle requirements, so think realistically about how you will use the room. Do you want a breakfast bar for informal dining, for example, or will you require extra storage for pots and pans? Review what’s in your current kitchen – are there elements that you don’t use? If so, exclude them to make space for items on your wish list. This process will provide you with the core of a design brief so you can move on to the next stage.

If you are self-building you’ll be able to factor in required elements from conception, allowing you to have any configuration you want (budget allowing). However, if you are renovating or replacing a kitchen there are numerous constraints. The position and shape of the room (unless you are extending or knocking through) coupled with the location of gas, electricity and water/drainage points – as well as window and door positions – will impact on your layout.

To work out possible positions for your new cabinets and units, draw a plan of the existing room and mark out plug points and all utility connections. Measure your walls horizontally and vertically, including the distance from doors to the corners of the wall, as well as the distance from the window to the floor and edge of the room. Take note of radiator positions and if there are any extruding pipes or ventilation points.

You need to consider where you’ll place white goods and cooking appliances, too. An external wall would be the logical space for these in a new build, but location may already be dictated in a renovation depending on utility connection points.

Layout and configurations

You need to be able to move quickly in the main kitchen workspace – the area between the cooker, fridge and sink. This is often referred to as the ‘working triangle’ and will form the basis of your layout. The total walking distance between the points should be between 5-7m. Any less will feel cramped, any more is a waste of space.

Based on the working triangle, there are four key configurations – galley, island, U-shaped and L-shaped – that will form the basic layout of your kitchen (see above).

Galley

This style originates from kitchens on ships. The layout is long and slim, and consists of two opposing walls with a fairly narrow space in between. Generally, galleys provide ample room to include cabinets and units, and the compact nature of the layout means there is an easy workflow for cooking. However, ill-designed galley kitchens can feel cramped, or be overused as a walkway if open on both sides.

Island

This is the layout of choice for those who like to entertain guests whilst cooking. The central unit will help to split the space in your kitchen and create a fantastic focal point. The island can help to incorporate extra counter space, but there are many variations on how it can be used. Some feature built-in hobs or sinks, while others may house a dishwasher or wine fridge. Many islands comprise of storage with space for stools to allow for a breakfast bar.

U-shaped

These kitchens consist of work space on three adjoining walls. The configuration provides ample storage and counter space, and can accommodate an island unit if you have enough width. The layout provides maximum work space and plenty of storage options – ensuring that everything is within easy reach. If the room is very large, it’s important to make sure that the points of the working triangle are still close together.

L-Shaped

This layout consists of work space on two adjacent walls. The configuration makes excellent use of space, and works best when the kitchen adjoins another room. So, if yours connects to a living area or you want a kitchen/diner, an L-shaped area might be the perfect solution. However, as the largest area of counter space is situated in the middle of the L, you may have to squeeze your smaller appliances together – but you can accommodate an island to increase storage if you have room.

Food preparation, cooking, serving and washing-up are the four main functions your kitchen needs to fulfil. Make sure that you provide adequate worktop space and storage in each functional zone, as well as incorporate the right appliances – it’s best to place the dishwasher underneath or next to the sink, for example, and have storage for pans close to the hob.

Space should be allowed between the work areas to avoid over-spill – so that washing up doesn’t clutter the cooking area, for example.

Free standing or fitted?

The choice of how to furnish your kitchen will determine how much work space and storage you have, not to mention dictate the overall style.

Free standing kitchens are rising in popularity. The very nature of the movable units allows you to change their configuration as often as you wish. It also means you can build up your kitchen piece by piece. This can include cupboards and butchers blocks, plus various pieces that you’d like to include that aren’t necessarily a standard element. A freestanding kitchen has the benefit that you can take the furniture with you if you move in the future. However, a downside is that freestanding units tend to harbour dropped food and grease. And, if you are tight on space they may not be the most efficient option.