How to Design a Kitchen smartly

Do you want to design a new kitchen , or wanted to remodel existing kitchen? then this post is for you.

All the basic steps needed for designing a perfect kitchen is given .

Let’s start !

Assessing Your Kitchen Needs


When you first decide to start a kitchen project, you will receive a lot of advice from family, friends and neighbors.

Take their opinions under advisement but do not let them sway your decisions about what is best for you. The kitchen that works for you may be your friend’s worst nightmare.

The key to a successful kitchen design project is doing your homework.

Read magazines, look at interior design websites and visit showrooms.

This last point is probably the most important. Actually standing in a kitchen will tell you so much more than a few pictures.

Your first step should be determining what you want from your kitchen.

A good jumping off point is to make a list of what you dislike about your current kitchen.

  • Is there a lack of storage?
  • Can you access everything you need easily?
  • Is there enough counter space to prepare the size of meals you usually cook?
  • Do you have to plug out one often used appliance to use another frequently used one?
  • Is there enough room to comfortably move around the kitchen?

2. The Essentials


Given the current economic slowdown, being careful with your money should be a high priority.

Once you have determined a budget for your new kitchen, you can start to work out how much ‘kitchen’ you can afford.

If you have decided to use the services of a professional, you will be better off paying for a good designer than blowing the budget on flashy materials and appliances.

keys to a good kitchen

The keys to a good kitchen are the floor plan, wiring and plumbing.

If you get these right, the surfaces can be easily upgraded later.

Once you know where your major appliances will be located and your floor plan gives you the space you need, 90% of the job is done.

It is much easier and cheaper to relocate a counter top than to move power sockets, gas lines and water lines.

working on a floor plan

The most important question you should have in mind when working on a floor plan is “How will we be using the kitchen?”.

If you like to cook a lot and entertain in the kitchen, then seating, tables, oven size, and the number of sinks should be your top priorities.

If you only use your kitchen for reheating the occasional bowl of soup, then a simpler, more minimalist style would be more appropriate.

3. Lifetime of the Kitchen

An important, but often overlooked aspect of kitchen design, is it’s a lifetime.

If you have no intention of ever selling your house you should consider your requirements as you get older.

As you age, you may not be able to reach higher cabinets or stoop to take items from a low storage unit.

You may also require wider walk ways to get around your kitchen.

All this is worth bearing in mind as remodeling your kitchen again when you are reaching old age may not be financially possible.

Whatever design you decide upon, make sure it suits you and your needs not the dreams of a designer, magazine or website.

4. Kitchen Size


The biggest factor in designing your new kitchen is size. How much room do you have to work with?

To keep costs down it is best to work within your current kitchen’s limits.

This means not knocking down load bearing walls and keeping replumbing to a minimum.

Designing a Small kitchen:

designing-a-small-kitchen
Small Kitchen


Designing a small kitchen presents the greatest challenge.

The key is to steal as much space as possible.

  • Build cabinets to the ceiling and have pot and cup hooks underneath the cabinets.
  • Use ‘lazy Suzans’ in cupboards and difficult to reach corners to maximize working space.
  • When deciding on appliances, consider using combination ovens, microwaves etc.
  • Try to squeeze maximum utility from every available space.
  • Use overhanging countertops to allow stools and bins to be stored underneath.
  • To visually open up the kitchen, consider hanging lots of mirrors, enlarging existing windows or installing a skylight if possible.

Designing a Medium kitchen :

designing-a-medium-kitchen
Medium size kitchen


The vast majority of modern homes have midsized kitchens.

Transforming rooms of this size into ideal kitchens is not too difficult if you put in a little thought.

The best layouts will have long unbroken counters with well placed appliances and cabinets.

The size of the room may also allow for the addition of a kitchen island.

Carefully planned islands can greatly improve the utility of the kitchen and can convert a conventional box like kitchen into an interesting space with lots of possibilities.

Some of the same principles used in small kitchens can also be applied to medium-sized kitchens but usually for different reasons.

Designing a Large kitchen:

designing-a-large-kitchen
Large size kitchen


Larger kitchens have plenty of space for all conceivable amenities.

For example, multiple islands; more than one oven / stovetop , multiple sinks & dishwashers and large fridges.

Positioning all these items is not usually an issue as long as some thought is given to practical matters such as minimizing distances between the fridge, counter top and oven.

Many larger kitchens plans also include a breakfast bar, informal dining area, and workplaces not usually associated with a kitchen such as desks.

Additionally, the bigger the kitchen the greater is your scope for design and decorating. Your imagination and budget are the only limits.

Hope you liked the post. You can check out the other posts also in this blog, Kerala Homemaker.