The kitchen floor plan is the starting point for any new kitchen. The layout you choose depends on the basic size and shape of the space – there is no one ideal layout, except the one that suits you and your family. With kitchen’s reformed status as the new-age living room, it is tempting to forget that it’s primarily the cook’s workplace. A carefully planned layout that connects sink, cooktop and food storage areas is what you need. The shorter the distance between each, the more efficient the kitchen. It’s best to plot your out from the sink as it’s the most expensive item to move because of plumbing. And although there are standard cupboard heights and bench widths, there’s also a great sense of freedom in kitchen design.
Ground rules:
- Bending below the bench is more tiring than stretching above.
- Do not place drawers in corners because it’s too difficult to pull them open.
- Consider which way a cupboard door will swing when plotting your design.
- Don’t set cupboard doors flush to the wall, as you won’t be able to fully open the door. Instead, have a ‘filler’ section so door hinges are at least 2.5 cm from the wall.
- Have at least one metre on each side of the sink and between the sink and cooktop. Instal the dishwasher next to the sink for easy loading.
- Don’t put a bank of drawers next to the cooktop, children might use them as steps.
Order of design
- Position the sink and dishwasher
- Place the cooktop within easy reach of the sink and ecide where to put the oven.
- Plan the food preparation area within reach of the cooktop.
- Keep the fridge away from main traffic and the stove, but near the preparation area.
- Position the breakfast table or by near natural light but away from cooking zones
- Plan storage so it’s easily accessible from the kitchen’s main activity zone.
- Galley
Devised to maximize space, this style has two facing rows of benches set 1.2 metres apart to allow cupboard doors to open.
Advantages: Perfect for small-space living.
Disadvantages: Limited space for large appliances.
- Corridor
This is a single-file layout, with the cooktop, sink, dishwasher and under-bench fridge along the one wall.
Advantages : Good for small spaces and it can be screened with sliding or paneled doors.
Disadvantages: No room for anything other than necessities.
- Island
The island bench locks the cook into a tight but efficient work pattern and demarcated cooking and living zones.
Advantages: It suits an open-plan design where the kitchen is adjacent to a living space. The cook isn’t shut away and can interact with guests or supervise kids’ homework from the kitchen. If you’re a messy cook, choose a bench with a raised back to screen the clutter.
Disadvantages: The cost of relocating the dishwasher and cooktop into the island bench could be a deterrent.
- L-Shaped
This kitchen layout wraps around the perimeter and integrates with the living room. It is referred to as a peninsula floor plan when the L projects into the centre of the room.
Advantages: It’s the perfect layout for a combined living/dining room and provides poetential space for a breakfast bar. The open floor space allows for a dinning table while not interfering with the traffic route.
Disadvantages: Cupboard corners often end up neglected and you will probably need a lazy susan to make the most of under-bench space.
- U-shaped
The U-shaped layout goes around three sides of a room with a window as a focus. It is safe and efficient.
Advantages: Size is not a problem, which means the layout works as well for an apartment as it does for a big family home.
Disadvantages: This layout can alienate the cook somewhat as most of the meal preparation is done facing a wall. The corners of build-in cupboards are potentially ‘dead’ areas for storage, so you way want to add some freestanding units.
- Open-plan
Not all the work benches are uniform in an open-plan layout, as the kitchen has to cope with the home’s busy cross traffic. The work triangle is confined to one corner, where the cook can keep an eye on children at play outdoors.
Advantages: It allows many options for storage of key items
Disadvantages: In a smaller space, it could be difficult to avoid placing the fridge next to the cooktop. The actual amount of functional benchtop is small, even though the kitchen appears to be spacious and airy.
