April 9, 2021
Your kitchen is likely to be the hub of your home. So today we thought we would walk you through some of the types of kitchen designs you might like in your new home. Each layout has its benefits however we recommend having a chat with one of our architects and kitchen designers to ask sure your new kitchen is perfect for you and your new home.
The walk-in – common for smaller kitchen spaces, the walk-in layout is efficient on space without the loss of functionality. This kind of design typically has cabinets installed on one wall with upper and lower cabinets with space in between of a clean benchtop.
If you think this type of kitchen might work best for your home, awesome. We have some tips for making it work for you. Think vertical, if you are working with a small space, you probably don’t have much width, so think height. Taking your cabinets higher will allow more storage space for those things you don’t reach for every day. Now I just motioned that magical work triangle, which isn’t really possible in walk-in kitchen design, it is still possible to have an ergonomic design in a small walk-in kitchen. Try to put your fridge on one end, oven and hob in the middle and the sink at the other end. This will help create a flow of how you intend to use the kitchen.
The galley kitchen – the economical use of the cabinets is a huge drawcard for this design. A galley kitchen consists of two rows of cabinets facing each other, creating an inner passage or galley between them. This eliminates the need for corner cupboards, and this type of layout uses every inch of space without wastage. The simplistic design also means that there are fewer special gadgets necessary, making this a cost-efficient option as well.
Having a double row of cabinetry, the galley kitchen offers more flexibility when it comes to storage space. If you are looking at having a galley kitchen in your home, our tip is to have the work areas along one side of the walls, not both. Having workspaces on both sides can cause traffic in the kitchen at dinner time, which is less than ideal when you’re preparing food.
The L shaped kitchen – more of a practical option for smaller kitchens, the L shaped kitchen has its cabinets long two connecting walls. This creates a corner space which can be tricky to navigate, the open plan on an L shape offers great flexibility of appliances and work areas.
Those corners often create unused cabinet space; however, clever planning can lessen the loss of usable space. By using a lazy Susan type shelf that allows you to make better use of all the space available. If your space allows, another great use of the corner is to create a walk-in pantry. A walk-in pantry can allow you to make the most out of your space, and you’ll gain a really good asset in your kitchen.
The U shaped kitchen – an ideal layout for larger kitchens, the U shaped kitchen has its carnets along three connecting walls creating plenty of storage and workable space. Sometimes this type of kitchen can leave a space feeling cluttered. The best way to avoid this is to only put high cupboards on one or two of the sides, allowing the higher space to remain open, furthermore, you could try open shelving.
A U shaped kitchen is great for workflow and allows multiple people to work in the same area at once. Our tip for having a U shaped kitchen is to your window areas open and uncluttered. This allows light to flow through the work area and keep the space well-lit thought out the day.
The island kitchen – popular for open plan living spaces, the island kitchen offers a large work surface and storage areas in the middle of the kitchen. The island can also be used as a preparation area or for enjoying family meals. While the kitchen has to be big enough to incorporate an island, its placement can be a great way to create a natural traffic flow in the area.
One of the great things about having an island kitchen is the ability for their space to be used both as a food prep area and as a socialising area of your home. With an island typically being the centre of a kitchen, it offers a great place for decorative lighting to be installed. While your floor plan is likely to determine what kitchen is best suited to you home, it’s important that its design will optimize the space available.