If the living room is the public face of the house and the bedroom its private space, the kitchen is a bit of both. It’s also the hub of the home which is why you need to put serious thought and planning into its shape and layout. The best kitchens are ones that require the least effort, so plan your work area well. Place the sink, refrigerator and cooktop in such a way as to minimise the number of steps between each point. A well-designed kitchen also needs to have enough counter-space for food preparation as well as storage space for appliances, cookware, implements and the raw material. Kitchen layouts fall under seven broad categories. See which suits your needs best.
L-shaped kitchen: One of the most popular and versatile kitchen layouts, this consists of work space along two walls that are linked in an L-shape. It’s very effective in a small or medium space and can be adjusted to any length. If one leg is extra long, you can divide it up into multiple work sites.
U-shaped kitchens: Another standard layout, this one has units on three adjoining walls, with two parallel walls perpendicular to a third. If space is adequate, this layout provides the maximum efficiency in a standard kitchen. While designing it, ensure that the base of the U-shaped kitchen is
between 10 and 18 feet wide.
Galley kitchen: With two rows of units installed parallel to each other, this layout is the least tiring to use. The length of the work triangle should not be more than eight feet otherwise it will end up being too long and inconvenient to use. The width can vary between seven and 12 feet with a minimum of three feet between counter tops. Anything less than that will cramp the space.
One-wall kitchen: This is the simplest of all layouts: all units are arranged in one line against a single wall. This is suitable for a narrow space and people with budget constraints. However, you need to ensure that the counter is at least eight feet long—any less and you won’t be able to fit in all your appliances. A one-wall kitchen makes for good workflow as it keeps all the cooking functions within a few feet of each other.
Peninsular kitchen: In this layout, the units are free on three sides with the fourth side (usually the shortest one) perpendicular to the wall or to one of the kitchen units. The perpendicular unit can make a handy serving area or a breakfast table. This kitchen can be as long as you want; you just need to divide it into different work sites. The best width for a peninsular kitchen with two parallel work surfaces is seven to 12 feet.
Island kitchen: This has units and appliances along the walls and an island of units in the middle of the room. Islands not only keep work areas traffic-free, they also create a wealth of extra counter and storage space. While there is no denying its utility, this layout is best suited to large spaces.
Open kitchen: Catering to contemporary lifestyles and small apartments, the open kitchen is fast becoming the choice of a lot of urban home-owners. With no wall between the dining and cooking areas, the kitchen becomes an interactive space that allows you to cook and chat with your guests at the same time. Housewives also find it a good way to supervise their children’s homework. All you need to do is to install efficient hoods and exhausts that will keep kitchen smells from spreading through the house.
Once you’ve decided the layout, turn your attention to colour schemes and cabinetry. Desist from vivid laminates as you may be bored with them six months down the line. Stick with neutral woods, white or steel. Add colour through accessories.