How to Design Your Own Kitchen Layout: 8 Things You Should Know

Are you always bumping into the corner of your kitchen counters when you go around the corner? Is your fridge in a really inconvenient spot?

If so, you’re probably fed up with your current kitchen and ready to renovate. But with the average kitchen remodel costing over $20,000, you’ll want to make sure it’s perfect.

While you may already be browsing the internet looking at fun flooring ideas and trendy counters, there’s one important step you need to take first: designing the layout.

If you’ve never done this before, you may be a bit nervous. But, don’t worry — we have your back! Keep reading to learn how to design your own kitchen layout.

1. Decide Where You’ll Eat

Before you get your heart set on a layout, you need to decide where you’ll eat. If you want to eat in the kitchen, you’ll have to make sure there’s enough room set aside for a table and chairs. You don’t want to cram this in last minute and end up with a kitchen that looks cluttered or too small.

If you have a dining room that you plan to eat in, you can forgo the kitchen table and chairs and use that room for something else. However, make sure you do fill it up with something or else your kitchen may look unfinished.

Of course, sometimes you just want to grab a quick meal before you head out the door. Some people like to add an eat-in island or peninsula to their design for this reason.

2. Think About Your Needs

It’s no secret that your kitchen serves many purposes. Aside from an eating location, you’ll need to identify what else you’ll use your kitchen for.

Do you have a big family and need a convenient kitchen to cook large meals? If so, you may benefit from a U-shape kitchen. Counters and cabinets run along 3 walls giving you tons of counter and storage space needed for big families.

Do you like to entertain and need plenty of room for your guests to mingle? You may want to go with an L-shape kitchen instead. This leaves half of your kitchen open, so your guests have room to walk around. But you still have plenty of counter space to lay out appetizers and give guests a place to set their drinks.

3. Include Enough Prep Area

When deciding what layout to go with, you’ll also have to consider the prep area. If you like to bake or cook complex meals, you’ll probably need a decent amount of space.

Remember that a lot of your counter space will inevitably be taken up by appliances and miscellaneous clutter. When you make your design, decide where your appliances will go and what area will be dedicated to prep space.

4. Decide If an Island Is Right for You

Many modern kitchens include an island. This is a great piece that adds additional storage space, counter space, and gives you a place to sit for a quick meal.

However, not every layout meshes well with an island. For example, gallery kitchens (kitchens with a counter and cabinets running along 2 parallel walls) and U-shape kitchens aren’t ideal for islands. Unless they are very large, they’ll likely look cramped and your island will just be in the way as you try to maneuver around the room.

However, L-shape and one-walled kitchens work really well with islands. Half of the kitchen is left open with these designs, leaving enough room to add an island. Plus, in many cases, the island actually helps these kitchens appear balanced and fills up an otherwise empty space.

5. Organize Your Work Triangle

So, now that you have a good idea of what layout you want, it’s time to think about where your major appliances will go. The stove, fridge, and sink make up what’s called the work triangle since they are the busiest areas.

You want these three items to form a triangle shape in your kitchen. This will maximize accessibility and make your kitchen easy to work in.

6. Make Sure There’s a Good Flow

Part of the reason the work triangle works so well is that it helps your kitchen flow nicely. Of course, you’ll also want to think about the flow in other areas of your layout.

If you decide to add an island or peninsula, make sure it’s in a spot that won’t be in the way. You don’t want to be walking into the edge of the peninsula or having to go around the island every time you need something.

This can be the hardest part of designing a kitchen. If you want to consult a professional, you can see more here.

7. Find a Good Spot for Your Pantry

Of course, the work triangle isn’t the only thing you have to worry about when making a kitchen that flows nicely. Your pantry will also play a huge role.

You want to find a spot that’s not too far away from your designated prep area. This will ensure that you’re not walking across the kitchen with an arm full of ingredients, and instead, you can just reach in and grab things as you need them.

8. Don’t Hide Any Windows

Before you draw out your layout ideas, take note of where your windows are located. The last thing you want to do is get your heart set on a design just to realize that you planned to put cabinets right over your window.

Your windows help the improve the overall look of your kitchen by making it feel more inviting and adding warm natural light into the room. So, you want to make sure they aren’t covered in your layout design.