Where to start when planning my kitchen layout?

The ‘golden triangle’ was originally developed in the 1940’s by the Illinois School of Architecture to help cut construction costs. The idea was to have your fridge, sink and hob free from obstruction and move quickly between them. There have been lots of conversations in recent years about whether the ‘golden triangle’ still works for modern kitchens which are very different to kitchens of the 40’s. The needs of kitchens have changed, and people want more space for socialising.

The Golden Triangle - Image Source Wiki

Whilst I don’t think the triangle is redundant as it does help you answer some basic questions about layout. There is a more modern way of working out your kitchen layout and that is being coined, ‘working zones’.

Breakfast Pantry - Image Credit: Sola Kitchens

There are various zones, such as, storage, cooking, washing up, prep and breakfast zones. However, not every kitchen will have all these zones, as they are guided by the needs and wants of the family living in the space.  A great example of this would be the storage zone, homes are so unique, and each family’s home requirements are very different. If you are extending the kitchen and there isn’t much storage elsewhere then the storage might become vital. Alternatively if it’s just to young professionals who are often out of the house early then breakfast zone is not as important as it might be for a family of 5 with 3 young children.

What do I mean by breakfast zone? Well…it’s your toaster, kettle and cereals all in a similar spot. These spaces have grown in popularuty recent years by having a breakfast larder that you pack things away in.

Image Credit: McClark Joinery LTD

A key zone that I do like to take into consideration in most kitchens is the washing up zone, having your bin, dishwasher and sink all in the same vicinity can make clearing up time much smoother. Another place you might want to add a bin, dependant on size of kitchen would be the prep area, so you can get rid of the peelings immediately.

I believe one of the biggest mistakes you can make is purely focus on functionality of the space and not consider the aesthetic! Kitchens are supposed to be functional, but if you just have lists of things that you need, you might completely forget that your kitchen is supposed to be beautiful.

The kitchen is the heart of every home and an important thing to remember is that nobody experiences the exact same kitchen in the exact same way, so don’t get carried away with functionality.

I am OBSESSED with kitchens; I also have extensive experience in designing them. I would love to help you with any upcoming project so please, get to know me a little better and let’s book a discovery call to understand how I can help.

Jessica x