We’ve designed a lot of kitchens over the span of our careers. When you think about how much time you spend in your kitchen, it’s important to make sure it fits your lifestyle and needs perfectly. The last thing you want is a cramped space full of appliances that aren’t big enough for everything you want to do. So before diving into the design of your dream kitchen—or even just getting started on figuring out what kind of style would be best for your home—I recommend sitting down and doing some soul searching about what exactly it is that makes this room so special to you.
What’s your cooking style?
We all have different cooking styles, so it’s important to consider what yours is before you start planning your kitchen.
For example, if you cook a lot and like to be able to move around while your food is cooking, an open concept kitchen might be better suited for you. If baking or making lots of dishes in one go is more your style, then having plenty of counter space will be essential for you.
Or maybe you’re just a foodie who loves to entertain! In that case, storage will be key so that no one has to go hunting through cupboards when they want something specific from their stash of ingredients or spices.
Who cooks?
If you cook for yourself and your partner, a two ring stovetop will be enough. But if you’re cooking for a family of four or more, consider a larger stove with four burners and an oven.
And if it’s time to think big—really big—maybe it’s time to consider a commercial restaurant-sized range instead of relying on your trusty old standby. For instance: maybe the only thing standing between you and world peace is getting rid of that 2-ring stovetop in favor of something more impressive from NASA?
If you’re looking for a commercial range, consider one with these features: -Burners that can be adjusted independently of each other -A large oven with an interior light and an automatic shut-off feature
Do you entertain often?
If you entertain frequently, your kitchen should be easy to clean. It should also have lots of storage space so that you can use your kitchen to help with entertaining. On the other hand, if you rarely entertain, a smaller kitchen will suit your needs just fine.
How much storage do you need?
Remember: your kitchen is only so big and can only hold so much. So before you decide how many cabinets or drawers you need, think about these questions:
- How much storage do I have? If there’s an existing pantry or cabinet space in your home, take stock of what’s currently being used for storing food and supplies. Do any areas need to be cleared out or rearranged? Are there any items that could be donated or thrown away? Take note of the amount of space that’s going unused—this will help determine whether or not it makes sense to add additional cabinets and countertop appliances (like a coffee maker) later on down the road.
- How much storage do I need? The answer depends on what kind of cooking and entertaining you plan on doing in your new kitchen (or if there are plans for any additions). If this is meant as an area where food prep takes place every night before dinner but everyone eats at different times during the day (or even throughout their lunch break), then keeping plenty of fresh produce on hand at all times may not be necessary—but having enough room in which to store leftovers overnight might prove vital!
Prep area and appliances
Whether you’re a professional chef or just like to cook, the kitchen is undoubtedly one of the most important rooms in your house. It’s where all the magic happens, so make sure you have everything you need to cook up a storm. The perfect prep area should be close to the stove and large enough for all your cooking needs (and then some). The work surface should be spacious and well-lit—you don’t want to be squinting while chopping onions! If possible, include storage for ingredients as well as utensils and other cooking equipment. A sink with hot and cold water will also come in handy when preparing meals, particularly if there are children involved who might get their fingers into something they shouldn’t!
Cleanup and cleanup storage
Have you ever wondered why people make fun of the way you wash your dishes? Because they are grossed out by the fact that you use their kitchen sink as a trash can. If this sounds like something that would happen to you, then I recommend putting together a dedicated dishwashing station. This will keep your dirty dishes from contaminating other parts of your kitchen and make cleanup easier for everyone involved (including yourself).
The best place for this is near where food gets prepared so that dirty pots and pans can be placed there directly instead of having them travel through an open area where crumbs might fall into them. It’s also good if the sink isn’t in direct sunlight since heat can cause liquid soap to harden up and clog drains over time.
There are two main types of dishwashers: ones with top loading racks (which require filling up with water) and ones with front loading racks (which spray water at full power onto dirty dishes). Front loading models tend to be less expensive than top loaders but require more energy consumption overall because they’re constantly running hot water through even when no one actually needs their glasses cleaned right now; therefore, if price isn’t an issue then go ahead
Understanding your lifestyle will help you best plan your kitchen.
“Know your needs, know your resources, and then make a plan.”
This isn’t just for planning out a kitchen renovation or construction project; it can also help you determine what type of kitchen is best for you—or if you even need one at all. For example: Do you live alone? Do you have kids? How much time do you spend in the space? What are your cooking habits like? These questions will help determine what kind of countertops or appliances work best for the amount of time and energy that goes into using them day-to-day.
Asking yourself these questions can also be helpful when it comes to deciding whether or not it makes sense to use an island as part of the design scheme in your kitchen. If most of the meals prepared at home involve heating up leftovers on a microwaveable plate and eating them while standing at the sink, then having extra countertop space available might not be important enough to justify using up valuable square footage with an island top that could also serve as an additional place for people to sit down and hang out at during parties (especially if there are only two people living in the house). But if there are more cooks than couches in this scenario (for example: one parent who does most of the cooking with little children clamoring around his/her feet), then adding another surface area where everyone can gather around may be more ideal than having more seating options per person!
Conclusion
I hope this guide has helped you understand some of the factors to consider when planning your kitchen. If you’re still on the fence about what kind of kitchen will be best for you, take a look at our design tips and start sketching out your dream space!
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