The kitchen design choices that increase efficiency – and the ones that make cooking more difficult 

The kitchen is an indispensable part of any home, even if you only use yours to entertain guests at dinner parties. But if you plan to use your kitchen practically, to cook, bake, and prepare meals, you need to figure out how to make the layout as simple to navigate as possible. It’s easy to get swept up when it comes to design choices, considering how many different trends exist. In fact, interior design trends for kitchens change faster than those for any other area of your home. Keeping up with all of them isn’t a good idea, given how expensive the remodelling projects can be.

Since you’re working with hardware and appliances, changing things is pricier and more time-consuming when it comes to the kitchen. It is a much better idea to focus on sturdy items that will last a long time and will continue to look good over the years. On top of that, if you plan to test a lot of new recipes, you must make sure that your kitchen is as efficient as possible, so that you don’t lose a lot of time when preparing meals, and that cleaning afterwards isn’t a monumental hassle. With that in mind, let’s have a look at some of the changes you could make and a handful that you need to avoid.

Below Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-seat-beside-white-wooden-kitchen-cabinet-YABErdnJPGc

The cabinets

The cabinets are the central pieces of every single kitchen, the elements you’re most likely to notice when you visit someone else’s home. When it comes to choosing new ones, consider something classic like cream and porcelain units, as the shade will never go out of style and fits perfectly in any ensemble. The reason why this style is so timeless is because it is sophisticated and elegant but at the same time feels much warmer than the icy greys and stark whites that have dominated minimalist interior designs over the last few years. The warm tone makes the entire room feel cosy and welcoming, meaning you can create an environment that feels lived-in instead of bland and quite nondescript. 

As for the materials, you need to choose something that is strong enough to withstand the temperature variations, steam, and staining that often occur in the kitchen. Hardwood is the most classic choice, a durable material that will never go out of style and which fits right in with every colour palette and design. Plywood is very popular as well due to its strength and stability. The material is also highly resistant to shrinkage. Remember that the right finishes are also very important. To ensure that your cabinets continue to look good, you need to provide them with the proper maintenance; otherwise, you’ll have no choice but to replace them more often.

One of the design choices that can make your kitchen less efficient is to choose open shelves and cabinets. While they can be used sparingly for the decorative effect, having them close to the cooking area means that fine oil mist and grease will eventually cling to the material, and you’ll be forced to clean constantly. Dust can also accumulate on the items you store on these shelves, so you have to rinse them before each use as well.

Kitchen islands

Having a kitchen island has been a trend for quite some time now, as many homeowners swear by how efficient and practical it is to have one. It’s true that they can serve as a place to socialise at dinner and give you more room to prepare larger meals. However, their size and positioning need to be considered very carefully beforehand. For a tiny kitchen, an island might actually end up having the opposite effect, standing in your way and making things more complicated. Having a kitchen island that can be moved out of the way when not in use can be very helpful in this case.

An oversized kitchen island will be more of a hindrance even if you have plenty of space at your disposal. You need to balance them out with proper work areas in order to minimise walking between tasks. So, while they’re still trendy and you should definitely include one in your kitchen if you want to, make sure that they’re placed in a manner that helps with your tasks.

Good lighting

Proper lighting is very important in the kitchen. While it is understandable why you’d want to invest in lighting that can create a relaxing atmosphere at dinnertime, task lighting is also crucial. You’re chopping ingredients and working with hot ovens and boiling oil, so you definitely don’t want to neglect safety. Pendant lights have become increasingly popular over the last few years, but they’re definitely not the right choice for every kitchen.

If you want the best of both worlds, you need to incorporate layered lighting. Under-cabinet lights can be included for improved task work and to complement recessed lights, the best choice for general illumination. Decorative ceiling lights or lamps will add personality and style, but they shouldn’t be the only options you rely on if you’re aiming for efficiency.

The layout

If you plan to have more extensive remodelling in your kitchen, it is imperative to focus on the layout for the best results. One of them is the work triangle, a layout that dictates that the sink, stovetop, and fridge should be close together. Having them far apart can make for an experience that feels kind of disjointed, as you have to make several detours and interrupt the rhythm of your cooking. Your cabinetry must be able to handle all your storage needs, so depending on how many items you have, you’ll need to plan accordingly.

Ensuring that every item has a designated space is very important as it allows you to avoid cluttered worktops. A tidy kitchen is, after all, much more likely to be efficient as well. Make sure to leave sufficient space between opposite banks of the cabinetry so that the kitchen isn’t challenging to share when more than one person is present. Having appliances together improves the workflow as well, especially if they work together, such as the sink being close to the dishwasher.

Having a practical kitchen is key for most homeowners, but in order to create the perfect design, you must take a few things into account. Planning ahead will help you come up with the best choices for your kitchen, so that you build a space you can enjoy for years.