A Functional Home Kitchen: Inspired by a Commercial Environment
The kitchen is often the most used room in the house. It is definitely the room that should be designed to be efficient and practical. A poorly designed kitchen is more than just frustrating; it can create opportunities for trips, falls, and injuries.
When we look at professional kitchen layouts and features, we can find some useful guidance to designing a functional kitchen at home. Here are some simple and easy ways to design your kitchen that will make it more usable and efficient for food preparation and gathering.
The work triangle
The three corners of the work triangle are the stove, the refrigerator, and work surface. Keeping these items at different corners of the triangle means that more than one person can be working in the kitchen. It will also make it much easier to move from place to place for the cook.
Convenience
Keeping everything conveniently placed is an important way to make the kitchen more functional. Delivering food to the table should be easier. Having your utensils at hand will make cooking much simpler. Anything that requires more than a step or two can make the kitchen more cumbersome.
Safety equipment
You should have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher nearby at all times. Having these items easy to reach can make your kitchen a much safer space. Take the time to have your kitchen ready for emergencies so that little problems don’t become severe issues.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a wonder product. Bacteria can’t survive on it long and it’s very easy to clean. Having sinks, stoves, and even work surfaces made out of stainless steel can make everything easier to maintain.
Smart cabinets and drawers
Each drawer and cabinet should be easy to access and useful. Soft close cabinets and drawers ensure that everything can gently close, without slamming. The key is to make every space useful, even if you have a lot of space.
Easy to access work surfaces
Anyone who has had to struggle for space when multitasking in the kitchen knows how important it is to have a work surface that’s easy to access. Designing your work surfaces to be open will make everything safer and easier.
Open shelves
Rather than cabinets with doors, open shelves make it simpler to see what you’re looking for, reach for the things you need to cook, and to put things away after doing dishes or shopping. The open shelving style has the leisure of a nice European kitchen. It also makes the kitchen feel more open and accessible.
Lighten up
Make sure that as you design your kitchen you include lighting, not just to make everything look beautiful, but also to provide light on the work surfaces. Poor lighting on work surfaces is more than just visual, it can be a safety issue.
Bar seating
Having a bar in the kitchen facing the work triangle can make it much easier to prepare meals, feed your family, and keep an eye on your children at the same time.
Good equipment
Choosing the right appliances can make all the difference. Food Network’s Alton Brown always says that he doesn’t want any single use items in his kitchen. You should think the same way. Everything in your kitchen, from your coffee maker to your sink, should be useful for more than just one function.
Easy cleaning
Be sure that sinks, trash bins, and cleaning cabinets are easy to access. Being able to work cleanly in a kitchen is more than just a convenience; it’s important in making great and healthy food.
Creating a clean and efficient kitchen is simple, as long as the design allows for it. Be sure to look at ways to arrange everything which promotes fluid movement, easy to access items, and quick clean up. With these few elements in mind, your kitchen will become the most used and comfortable room in your home.
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