As an interior design graduate, I have found that designing a kitchen can be challenging, yet rewarding. There are numerous considerations to make, and you will likely come across many words of advice. In searching for kitchen design tips, you might also find it useful to know what not to do. The following suggestions are not necessarily "rules" to follow, but they can be great guidelines. Who doesn't want plenty of storage in their kitchen, anyway?
Avoid: The old work triangle
You may have heard of the work triangle, a guideline that says your stove, refrigerator, and sink should form a triangle with an imaginary outline that is no more and no less than a certain number of total feet. This may have worked in kitchens of yesterday, but today's families will benefit from forming zones for each task. There will be a preparation zone, where food can be washed and/or prepared for cooking; a cooking zone; and a cleanup zone, which consists of another sink, dishwasher, and storage.
Avoid: Designing for one person
Do you enjoy cooking alone? If you plan to cook everything yourself, then a kitchen for one is perfect. However, my husband and I often cook together, or one of us will cook while the other cleans up. In this case, you will need to design your kitchen layout keeping in mind that more than one person will be using the kitchen together. It's not fun to constantly bump into each other while you're trying to get dinner ready.
Avoid: Skimping on storage
Sure, that industrial size oven looks spectacular, and it will help you whip up a large batch of cookies in no time, but it takes away from precious storage space. In a smaller kitchen, consider standard size appliances so you will have plenty of cabinet space. As a general rule, when you are designing or remodeling your new kitchen, think about the small appliances you plan to acquire, not only what you currently own.
Avoid: Keeping too much
It can be tempting to keep every gadget you own with the intention of using it someday. Ask yourself, how often do you really use it? Keep the things you use regularly. Get rid of unused items from the kitchen to make extra storage space and room for new gadgets in your new kitchen.
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