KITCHEN DESIGN

 

Definition

A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food preparation in a dwelling or in a commercial establishment.

A modern middle-class residential kitchen is typically equipped with a stove, a sink with hot and cold running water, a refrigerator, and worktops and kitchen cabinets arranged according to a modular design. Many households have a microwave oven, a dishwasher, and other electric appliances. The main functions of a kitchen are to store, prepare and cook food (and to complete related tasks such as dishwashing). The room or area may also be used for dining (or small meals such as breakfast), entertaining and laundry. The design and construction of kitchens is a huge market all over the world.

Effective kitchen design is the process of combining layout, surfaces, appliances and design details to form a cooking space The kitchen is the most prominent and enclosed section or area in which edible food

ingredients are brought together, gathered, combined through proper processing and cooked by various means of cooking methods for consumption. In simple terms, a kitchen is an area set aside for preparation of meals. Small kitchen is referred by the term ‘kitchenette’.

The kitchen is the hub and center of activities to produce food in any establishment

or residential apartments. Chiefly concerned with food production activities, it is also

associated with cleaning, storing, mise en place (washing, peeling, and cutting), cooking,

holding food materials and dishes, plating, washing up, waste clearing, etc. The term

‘kitchen’ derives from the Latin term cucina, cook food, where cook derives from the Latin word coquus or coquo (meaning to cook, become ripe).

The world of kitchens has witnessed a huge change from its raw state to most

refined kitchen outlet, since the period of antiquity. It was the Romans who brought

the tradition of creating and establishing kitchens in ancient times, which was followed

by all across the globe. The kitchens at that time were octagonal in shape, with many

provisions of fire places, no chimneys but with a turret at the top on the conical roof of

the kitchen to allow the smoke go out of the kitchen.

The kitchens were located either near the toilets or caldariums (rooms containing

warm water for bathing), or they were mere hearth for cooking in open fires. But with the

passage of time, the invention of cooking ranges changed the dimension of the modern

kitchen. Nowadays, the kitchen is given due attention in terms of location, layout, space,

incorporation of technologies, and all other aspects. It is located strategically for easy,

smooth and efficient functioning.

Importance:

Over the year’s kitchens have evolved to take on ever more important roles in our lives. These days they’re not just a space for cooking, they’re often where we socialise with friends, spend time relaxing with our families and so much more. Creating a space that’s practical for a range of uses and that looks stylish enough to impress your guests demands something more than just a one size fits all approach. The way you intend to use your kitchen is unique to you and to achieve the most from your design you will need to give careful consideration to how to maximise your kitchen to meet your needs. We’ve put together a guide on some of the most talked-about terms when it comes to kitchen layouts so you can gain an understanding of some of the decisions you will need to make. If you find you need a bit more advice after reading this article, then our expert designers at Kitchens InStyle would be delighted to help.

Planning your layout is extremely important if you want to get the most from your new kitchen. It will help ensure you are able to keep your space neat and tidy, it will boost your workflow, it can allow you to introduce areas for relaxing or socialising and it will ultimately impact the overall ambience of your space. With these objectives in mind, you might want to start by thinking about who will be using your kitchen. Do you need to accommodate a big family with young children or are you a couple who love cooking together? Next you will want to consider how you intend to use your kitchen. If you have children, creating an area to speed up breakfast before school could be a great addition, don’t forget plug sockets for tablets and phone charging. If you enjoy cooking as a family, you will need several areas for food preparation and might even want an additional prep sink. For those that love to host, be sure to include a seating area where friends can gather. If you’re stuck for ideas, you can try noting down some of the limitations of your existing design, often this is easier than starting from scratch. 

Kitchen Layout

One of the most important factors in making the whole kitchen operation successful is a proper layout which allows proper workflow, starting from receiving of food ingredients, then storing it, and then processing it in the kitchen, followed by cooking

and then serving it. The layout should allow for the section and subsection of the whole

kitchens to execute their work properly. The layout is an important consideration in designing the flow of water, electricity and fuels, etc., as well.

LAYOUT AND SHAPES of Kitchen

One of the most important aspects of a kitchen to be successful in operation is its

layout design. The layout of the kitchen design is a crucial criterion to judge its level

of competency, efficiency and effectiveness. Many a times, the area left to construct a

kitchen is the deciding factor of layout design; otherwise, the layout is designed as per

the preferences of the chef and the architect. The three work zones, i.e., cooking range

(gas burner), sink and refrigeration make a significantly important ‘work triangle’ in every kitchen layout.

TYPES OF KITCHENS

1.   The One Wall Kitchen

Usually found in smaller kitchens, this simple layout is space efficient without giving up on functionality. Consisting of cabinets installed against a single wall, the One Wall Kitchen can have upper and lower cabinets or shelving over base cabinets, creating a clean aesthetic.

Think vertical. You only have so much width to work with, so taking your cabinets up as far as possible will help create extra storage space. While the traditional work triangle is not possible in a one-wall kitchen, try to put your fridge on one end, oven and hob in the middle and the sink at the other end. If your cabinets do not go up to ceiling, utilise the space above them by storing lesser-used items there. Alternatively, you can use this space as a display area to strengthen the theme of your kitchen.

2.   The L-Shaped Kitchen

A practical layout option for small and large kitchens, the L-shaped kitchen has cabinets along two perpendicular walls. Although the corner necessitates some clever cabinetry solutions to make it practical, the open plan design of the L-shaped kitchen offers great flexibility in the placement of appliances and work zones. While you can have the legs of the L as long as space allows, it is best to keep it to less than

4.5m for ease of use.

Where space allows, make the most of the corner by installing a walk-in pantry cupboard. This way you won’t lose the valuable space that is usually lost in a corner, and you gain a huge asset to your kitchen. With an L-shaped kitchen, you may even

be able to create a small breakfast nook in the opposite corner, further increasing your family’s enjoyment of the room.

3.   The U-Shaped Kitchen

A great layout for larger kitchens, the U-shaped kitchen consists of cabinetry along three adjacent walls. This type of layout provides plenty of storage but can feel enclosed if there are upper cabinets on all three walls. To avoid this, choose upper cabinets along only one or two walls, with open shelving, focal tiles or a hob hood on the other. The U-shaped kitchen allows for great workflow and multiple users at the same time.

How to Make a U-Shaped Kitchen Layout Work:

Keep window areas open and uncluttered in a U-shaped kitchen. This type of kitchen layout provides the perfect opportunity for an uninterrupted work triangle so make the best use of the space by having the work areas on the opposite end of the back- and entry doors.

 

4.   The Island Kitchen

A very popular choice in open plan homes, the island kitchen provides a large work surface or storage area in the middle of the kitchen. The island can incorporate a cooking surface, prep bowl and bar or wine fridge. It can also be used simply as a preparation area or for enjoying family meals. While the kitchen has to be big enough to incorporate an island, its placement is a great way to create a natural traffic flow in the area.

Utilise the island as both a work- and social area where family and friends can interact while meals are being prepared. Because of its location in the centre of the kitchen, it is a great place to install prominent decorative lighting that can also serve as task lighting.

5.   The Peninsula Kitchen

The peninsula is related to the island kitchen and incorporates a kitchen counter that juts out from a wall or cabinetry. This is a great solution that offers the benefits of a kitchen island where space doesn’t allow for an independent island to be installed. The peninsula can be used for food preparation, eating or other tasks while the cook is busy with meal preparation.

As with the island kitchen, the peninsula offers a great opportunity for interaction during meal preparation. It is a great solution for a small enclosed kitchen, where a wall can be removed to open the area up to an adjacent room without giving up on storage space.