How to Design a Functional and Efficient Kitchen
A kitchen design should take into account your lifestyle and the layout of your home. For example, you may want to choose a single-wall galley kitchen layout for efficiency and to eliminate the potential for work interruptions.
Clever kitchen layout ideas can also help you hide countertop paraphernalia like mugs, tea and coffee canisters and small appliances. Adding extra shelving or cabinetry can help keep your workspace clean and tidy.
Two-Tone Cabinets
Whether your kitchen style is farmhouse-inspired or has a contemporary appeal, two-tone cabinets are a great way to put a unique spin on your cooking space. The design is gaining popularity across the country and helps to add definition to your open layout while also elevating your overall décor.
Darker colors are generally used on lower cabinets and lighter shades on top for a smooth gradient effect. This allows you to frame a focal point, such as a kitchen island or refrigerator, with the bolder color and draw the eye toward your favorite features in your home.
However, this doesn’t mean that you are limited to only one color palette. You can create a more varied look with contrast finishes, like the alternating black and gray wood cabinets in this kitchen designed by Arent & Pyke. This is a low-commitment way to try the trend and can be a great option for homeowners who want to use neutrals but don’t feel comfortable with a stark monochrome palette.
Vertical Subway Tile
Most design trends come and go faster than you can say “trendy,” but once in a while, one makes a real impression. This year, subway tiles have veered vertically for a captivating do-over.
Staggering horizontally-set tiles vertically creates an interesting pattern, especially when paired with a wood tile backsplash like this one from Hearth Studio. The stacked pattern helps make the room feel taller, and it looks particularly stunning behind a stove.
A horizontal herringbone pattern is another great option for making a tall space feel bigger. This herringbone layout alternates tiles at a 90-degree angle, creating a unique pattern that works well as a surround shower tile or even as an accent wall. If you’re working with an existing kitchen, make sure to carefully measure and mark your tile placement before you start installing. This helps ensure you get a clean cut around outlets or switches, and that your tiles align properly. Then, when it’s time to grout, a little bit of patience goes a long way to keeping your lines straight.
Built-In Work Station
Kitchens are increasingly multifunctional spaces where family members prepare meals, homework is done and even meetings take place. The right layout can help all these activities happen in a way that’s both efficient and comfortable.
A good kitchen floor plan aims to optimise vertical space, keeping the most frequently used items within easy reach. Using overhead cabinets with shelves keeps clutter at bay, while open cabinet doors provide an elegant storage solution for everyday dishes.
The kitchen work triangle — or golden triangle — is a design rule that recommends placing the fridge, oven and sink close together to minimise walking distance when cooking. But you don’t need to adhere to this layout if it doesn’t fit your lifestyle.
Add a built-in work station to your kitchen for a stylish spot to check emails, make notes or create a weekly meal schedule. Give standard built-ins a custom look with a bold paint color, like charcoal gray in this modern kitchen, that ties into the slate gray floor tile.
Cozy Breakfast Nook
A breakfast nook offers a cozy spot for enjoying meals and catching up with family members or friends. This space is often positioned next to a window and decorated with comfortable seating and a dining table. It’s also a perfect spot for installing open shelves to store glassware, dishes, and utensils.
Use bright accent colors to create a unique style for your breakfast nook. Red works well with wooden furniture and natural tones, while blue can add a cool, coastal feel. Add rugs beneath the tables to define the seating area and introduce additional texture.
Whether your breakfast nook is large or small, you can achieve a modern look with a clean layout and neutral colors. For instance, this nook features wishbone chairs and a ribbed dining bench with similar-colored chair cushions. A few decorative pillows and pendant lighting complete the space’s simple yet stylish design. This breakfast nook fits right in between kitchen cabinets, proving that no space is too small for a dedicated seating area.