Start with how you cook, then choose the layout, storage and materials to match.
A kitchen is the hardest-working room in a home, so it rewards planning more than any other. The aim is simple: the things you use most should be the easiest to reach.
Choose the layout for the room you have
| Layout |
Works best when |
Watch out for |
| Straight (one wall) |
The kitchen is narrow or part of an open plan |
Limited counter space |
| Parallel (galley) |
Two people cook and the room is long |
Keep a comfortable aisle between the two runs |
| L-shaped |
You want an open corner for dining or movement |
Corner storage needs the right hardware |
| U-shaped |
You need maximum counter and storage |
Needs enough width to avoid feeling closed in |
| Island |
The room is large and open |
Plumbing and power for the island must be planned early |
Keep the working triangle short
The sink, hob and refrigerator are the three points you move between constantly. Keep them close enough that you are not walking across the room, but not so close that two people collide. If only one thing can be optimised, place the prep counter between the sink and the hob.
Plan storage by zone
Deep drawers near the hob keep everyday cookware within one step.
- Prep zone — knives, boards and mixing bowls near the main counter.
- Cooking zone — deep drawers for cookware and a pull-out for oils and spices beside the hob.
- Cleaning zone — under-sink organisation, bin and detergent storage.
- Pantry zone — tall units for dry goods, ideally near the refrigerator.
Design tip
Count what you own before finalising drawers. The number of large vessels and the height of your tallest appliance decide drawer depths better than any standard plan.
Spend where it lasts
Decorative finishes can be updated later; the structure cannot. Prioritise in this order:
- Carcass material suited to a kitchen's moisture and heat.
- Hardware — hinges, drawer channels and lift-up systems you will use many times a day.
- Countertop that suits how you cook and clean.
- Shutter finish — the part everyone sees, and the easiest to change in future.
Do not leave these to the end
- Electrical points for every appliance, marked on the drawing.
- Chimney position and ducting route.
- Task lighting under wall cabinets.
- Counter height set for the person who cooks most.
Before you approve the design
Walk through a normal day in the drawing: making tea, cooking a full meal, unloading groceries. If every step has a clear place, the kitchen will work.
