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10 Kitchen Layout Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make

The kitchen is arguably the most important part in every home because you likely start your day there; either getting a cup of coffee or an energizing breakfast. The kitchen is that bonding area for your family and guests alike. It is where the meals are prepared and probably eaten. For some, it is where the family and guests often gather to socialize, cook and eat together. Whichever reasons there are for having a kitchen, you definitely want it to look good. This is why your kitchen layout should be carefully planned. You don’t want your kitchen to look like a storeroom because of its lack of space.

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WHAT IS A KITCHEN LAYOUT?

The kitchen layout is the shape made by the arrangement of the countertop, major appliances and storage areas. It is always planned in a way that creates the kitchen work triangle. A kitchen work triangle, on the other hand, is the path you make when moving from the refrigerator to the sink, to the range to prepare a meal. It is important to consider the size of your kitchens before making your kitchen layout plans.

TYPES OF KITCHEN LAYOUT

There are various kinds of kitchen layout to choose from; most of which are dependent on the floor design and size. It is important to seek the service of a professional kitchen layout planner to get started. There are five basic kitchen layout designs available for most kitchens.

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THE L-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT

L-shaped kitchen layout comprises of two runs of cabinets at the right angles along adjacent walls. It has a natural work triangle created to aid free movement in the work area. It is designed in such a way that is open to a nearby room, therefore making interactions with guests easier.

THE U-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT

U-shaped kitchen layout offers countertops and ample storage on three sides. It is considered versatile in both small and large kitchens. Everything that is needed on every side of the user. For larger kitchens with spacious floor plans, it can be divided into multiple workstations to at least two users.

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THE G-SHAPED KITCHEN LAYOUT

It is a similar version of the U-shaped kitchen, with the same amount of counter space and storage options that surround the user on three sides. The difference however between the G-shaped kitchen layout and U-shaped kitchen layout is the peninsula or partial fourth wall of additional cabinets. Depending on the size of the kitchen, G-shaped kitchens can seem cramped.  To make the room feel more spacious, open up the wall in a nearby room and create a pass-through or breakfast bar for the family.

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THE SINGLE-WALL KITCHEN LAYOUT

This is the ideal kitchen layout for small homes. The single-wall kitchen layout is also known as the straight kitchen layout. Here, the work triangle is more of a straight work line and less of a triangle with all of the kitchen zones on one side of the wall. It is best suited for managing space.

THE GALLERY KITCHEN LAYOUT

Gallery kitchen layout is also known as the corridor layout. It is like a double single wall kitchen and best suited for one user. The workstations are on both parallel walls, thereby creating a small work triangle. The gallery kitchen layout is traditionally long and narrow and can be exceptionally functional if planned correctly.

10 KITCHEN LAYOUT MISTAKES YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE

OBSTRUCTING THE KITCHEN TRIANGLE

The kitchen triangle consists of the sink, stove, and refrigerator and is considered the area with the most activity in the kitchen. Therefore, it is required to be carefully planned in order to avoid obstructions. The sink typically sees the most action; it should have easy access to the stove and refrigerator, as well as your countertop workstations. If the kitchen triangle is too small, you are likely going to trip off at some point. Also, having too big kitchen triangle can make cooking tiring.

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STORAGE SPACE

The kitchen is where all the cooking in the home is done and typically contains lots of stuff. Not having enough storage space can make items stored in and around the kitchen look odd. Also while creating space for storage, it can be tricky, it is best you make your appliances easy to access.

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INADEQUATE COUNTER SPACE

One of the biggest complaints of kitchen design layouts is always lack of counter space. It is where all the kitchen activities take place which also has some appliances located on it. For a good kitchen layout design, you need enough counter space.

POOR LIGHTING

The kitchen is one of the most actively used places in the house, you cannot afford to have a poor lighting. It is not just about the design and atmosphere of the kitchen, your safety comes first as there will be the handling of knives and other kitchen tools. The more light in your kitchen, the safer you are, and it can also help you show off your designs.

FORGOING A BACKSPLASH

When designing the kitchen, the backsplash sometimes slips to the end of the list. Occasionally, it’s left out of the plan altogether. This may save you money in the short term, but in the long run, it will cost you a lot of time and effort. When you think about the steam, water, and grease in the kitchen, you’ll understand why installing a backsplash above the cooktop and counters is a smart idea.

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POOR VENTILATION

Having a poor ventilation in your kitchen is the best recipe for disaster no matter how good your kitchen design is. You don’t want to walk into the kitchen with the smell of fish from the previous night all over the place. A good ventilation system will make life easier and more pleasant, especially if your kitchen opens to a living area or family room.

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CHOOSING THE WRONG KITCHEN ISLAND

The fact of the matter is that kitchen islands can waste a lot of space. Choosing the wrong island or placing it in the wrong spot can be a disaster, especially in a work area that can get overly cluttered. Islands that obstruct the flow of traffic to and from the sink, refrigerator, stove and primary workstations will create bottlenecks. An island should be at least 4 feet long and 2 feet deep, but it also must have room for people to move and work around it.

IGNORING YOUR RECYCLING

As recycling has become more prevalent, dealing with trash in kitchen design has gone beyond sticking a bin under the sink. Be prepared to manage your trash efficiently — incorporate sorting bins for recyclables into your kitchen design.

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GOING TOO TRENDY

Another kitchen layout mistake is going too trendy. the latest kitchen trends may often not be the what you need. Using trendy colours and designs have a short lifespan, which might lead to another expense on your path. Look for kitchen innovations and appliances that are timeless.

NOT USING PROFESSIONALS

Most people believe they have all the information needed and don’t need the help of a professional. Professional designers have the latest ideas and information, and they can help you identify your needs and translate them into an efficient plan that fits your taste and budget.

Kindly share your experience on kitchen layouts with fellow PropertyPro.ng readers.

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