Designing Kitchen Floor Plans

Kitchens are the most important room of the house, serving as the main point of activity they are also the central meeting place between family member’s, guests and visitors to the home.

To achieve achieve a good kitchen floor plan you will need to consider all the options available to you which will involve researching styles, cabinets, flooring, counter tops, fixtures and also the possibility of linking to an external kitchen space.

A rule of thumb when planning kitchen floor plans is to focus on creating a good flow between the refrigerator, cooker and the sink.

Types of kitchen layouts

There are many types of kitchen layouts to choose from the most popular versions which offer a good compromise between function and affordability are;

The U-shape Layout

This style is used in many new homes as it fits most buildings and provides a generous amount of cooking, preparation and entertaining space.

The L-shape Layout

Similar advantages to the U, the L-shape can provide a great solution for long house plans and is the ideal solution if you want to develop an open relaxed atmosphere.

Eco/L-shape Layout

In order to achieve a Eco kitchen with an L-shape arrangement expose the living, dining and family rooms to it via large structural openings.

The benefit to doing this is that the kitchen's heating and cooking appliances will provide a dual purpose and heat the other rooms when in use.

Get tips on 5 Steps to Design Your Own Kitchen

Galley Kitchen Floor Plans

This type of arrangement is ideal if you’re working with a small space. Designs work well with two rows of worktops either side split with a clear passage.

While developing this layout locate the sink and preparation space in front of a good window view to make it feel light and airy. Install plenty of artificial lights, recessed spots installed in the ceiling and back light the work surfaces.

Kitchen Islands

Freestanding units are becoming more and more popular for kitchen designs. Integrated into both L and U shape kitchens they are the ideal multipurpose element which can become a real center piece for cooking and dining in the home.

Once the layout is chosen it's worth planning how the the kitchen is going to be used in detail. Click here to read: 9 Great Kitchen Islands Ideas To Steal

Zone in Kitchen Floor Plans

Kitchens floor plans usually have three separate zones including;

Cooking Area

Adequate storage for weekly dry, vegetable and frozen food, possible long term bottled and tinned foods.

Preparation: sink sturdy counter, view, good light. Rubbish bin and fixed tin bottle opener. Saucepan: cutlery and crockery store Cooker with grease resistant surround and extract fan, good light if possible. Servery, direct to dining room

Sink/Pot wash

Drainer, rubbish bin, waste master or slop sink for tea leaves. Cupboard for detergents, scourers, tea towels.

Click here to read: How To Install A New Kitchen Sink

Kitchen Sinks Reviews - Choose and pick the best in design, functionality and maximize your worktop

Utensil and Crockery Storage

Store, Re-movable trays for crockery laid for next meal-avoids continual hanging, stacking and re-selecting each item.

These can be arranged to complement each other by carefully choosing where everything you intend store in the kitchen goes.

Air flow and natural ventilation for your kitchen to deal with cooking smells and room temperature.

It is worthwhile installing an automatic natural ventilation control system. A good one developed by Passivent, works via a thermostat installed on a wall.

The system can be set to the desired temperature and linked to low vents. The vents open when the temp exceeds the desired limit providing good cost effective green technology.

Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Outdoor Kitchen Plans

Get to know more about kitchen floor tile ideas to help you decide when choosing the right kitchen flooring

Or you might want to choose wood flooring which still a popular choice for home owner

Countertops granite kitchen have become an extremely popular choice over this last decade as this type of work surface is hard wearing, easy to clean, hygienic and cool to touch for those pastry chefs amongst you.

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