The kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most frequented places in the house. On top of this, it is a room where you have to get things done, often in a hurry. This is why having a proper workflow in a kitchen is important. The layout of the room will determine just how efficiently you spend your time here.
Unfortunately, too few designers and contractors think about this. Therefore, you must take things into your own hands. So, whether you are looking to design a kitchen from scratch or simply looking for some remodel options, you have come to the right place.
What Is Your Kitchen Used Most For?
Now, this may seem like a rather odd question, but it is one that needs to be asked. While one family may predominantly use this space to cook meals, another may use the kitchen as an informal dining room. So, why is this distinction important? Well, it tells you whether there are certain fixtures that you need to add to the room to enhance the workflow. For instance, are most of the people in your family cooks and do you enjoy cooking together? If so, including an island counter in the kitchen will give you more counter space to utilize.
Construct Large Walkways
This is something to keep in mind if you have a kitchen that has numerous countertops and an island counter. It is important for everyone to have more than enough space to walk around each other, without bumping into anyone else. Not only will this decrease the number of accidents in the kitchen, it will also make the room seem less stifling. While you will need to take the actual size of your kitchen into consideration, it is wise to leave about 36 inches of walkway space.
Create Designated Areas
Do you find yourself rushing from one side of your kitchen to the other quite regularly? Well, this means that you haven’t arranged all of your items in a logical manner. So, it is time to re-think your overall storage plan. The best way to do this is to imagine your kitchen in the form of zones. One area should be dedicated to storing food, the other for food prep, and another still for actually cooking the food. Not only will you be able to cut down on how much time you waste, you will also find it easier to locate various items faster.
Pay Attention to Entry Points
Typically, you don’t need any more than two entrances/exits into and out of the kitchen. With just these two spaces, you are able to plan out the workspace more precisely. The main goal of these areas is to prevent traffic from forming in your kitchen. People should be able to move in and out of the room without any hassle, regardless of how many individuals are already in the kitchen.
Consider Appliance Placement Carefully
As a rule of thumb, you should never place appliances of similar importance opposite one another. This is a surefire way to have everyone crammed into a small area.
Instead, spread them out a bit so that they can be easily used simultaneously without annoying anyone else. Also, you should avoid placing appliances in corners where they can be hard to reach or utilize completely.
This is how you can improve the workflow of your kitchen and to make it more efficient. In doing so, you will also make the space more enjoyable for everyone else too.