Are you exasperated by the layout of your kitchen?

Do you constantly collide with members of your family as you all battle to get to the same area of the kitchen at the same time?

The trick is to arrange your appliances so they create a natural workflow. And to do this, you need to divide your kitchen into zones.

Zone out your kitchen

Let’s take a look at the primary kitchen zones.

First, there’s food storage, which includes the fridge, freezer and food cupboards. If you rely on takeaways, this zone is not going to take up as much space as for a family that cooks meals every day.

Next, the food preparation area covers not just work surfaces but also access to pots, pans and smaller appliances such as kettles, coffee makers and toasters. These need to be in easy reach as they’re used on a daily basis.

Then there’s the crockery cupboards and cutlery drawers. As well as plates, mug, knives and forks, etc., this zone should also incorporate glasses and teapots. Again, this zone is going to be used frequently throughout the day.

Finally, there’s the cleaning zone that includes the sink, dishwasher, washing machine, cupboards containing all your cleaning equipment, and bins. Often, it’s handy to have this zone slightly removed from the other areas, unlike the food storage and food preparation zones, which should be close together.

Once you’ve decided the most practical area for each of these zones, you can see more easily where your larger appliances should be housed.

Create an ergonomic working triangle

A practical working triangle will revolve around your cooker, fridge and sink/dishwasher. These are the appliances you’re likely to use the most.

When you consider your workflow, you’re clearly going to want your cooker to be close to your food preparation zone. At the same time, your fridge and freezer will be an integral part of your food storage zone.

For efficiency of movement, it helps to have your crockery and cutlery storage zone near to the dishwasher. That way, it becomes easier to unload the dishwasher and store the items.

However, the configuration of your working triangle will depend on your lifestyle. For instance, if you entertain frequently, you’ll prioritise the food preparation zone that includes your oven and worksurfaces.

But if a lot of cleaning goes on in your home, then the dishwasher or laundry appliances may take centre stage.

Create a seamless look with built-in appliances

Once you’ve decided on the position of your appliances, you may find it’s more practical to have them built-in so that they blend seamlessly with your cabinets. This would certainly give your kitchen a more harmonious look and feel.

However, this may depend on the size of your appliances. If cooking is a priority, you might choose to have a freestanding range cooker. The important factor is to choose an appliance that’s the right size and model for your needs.

We partner with many leading suppliers including Neff, Bosch and Siemens, and we can advise on the practicality of building-in the appliances of your choice.

Display or hide smaller appliances

When it comes to small appliances, you should arrange them by frequency of usage.

If you use your smoothie blender every day, then it’s perfectly acceptable to have it take up space on the worktop alongside your kettle and toaster. But rarely used appliances like waffle or ice cream makers should be stored, as you don’t want them taking up valuable workspace.

Extra tall cabinets can be useful for providing a home for these appliances. Alternatively, you could install extra shelving and put some items on display.

And finally, if you lack space, get rid of those small appliances that you never actually use!

Would you like help with your kitchen design?

We can design a completely bespoke kitchen to match your lifestyle and home perfectly.

At K Interiors, we’re dedicated to delivering a seamless experience from initial project planning and kitchen design through to ordering, delivery and install.

Why not book a FREE kitchen design consultation and let us show you how we can transform your kitchen?

Call us on 01525 851830 or email: sales@kinteriorskitchens.co.uk