Kitchen DESIGN GUIDE

Kitchens

Sections

Content

Table of Content

Getting Started

Layouts and Design Overview

Dimensions and Clearances

Ergonomics and Cabinet Accessories

Space and Storage Solutions

Appliances and Cooking Equipment

Summary and Key Points

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5

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6

4

Kitchen Design Steps

1

Start making an Idea book and collect everything you do don't like. This is the time you make your wish list. It will be very handy when it is time to communicate your ideas with a professional. Develop a scope of work and decide what needs to be done. Plumbing, electrical and construction modifications are examples of what is included.

Brainstorm, Research and Plan

Schematic Design and Professionals

It's a good idea to have an experienced professional start making sketches of preliminary designs where you decide on :

1. Appliances and their placement

2. Storage space and cabinets' types

3. Working areas and work flow design

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2

Fixtures, Finish specs. and Design development

Now you can get started with the looks and style. It's tempting to do this earlier, but it distracts the functionality design stage. Choose your doors, colors, lighting and decorations. Take the time to focus on minor details. It is better to settle now on items placement like towels, bins, cookware, coffee machine, etc. Live your kitchen before you proceed to the next phase.

3

Documentation

You are almost done here. Construction documents are a must to get everything clear and settled on. All details like dimensions, appliances, cabinets, accessories, etc. are included in the agreement document. It is also a good idea to know the exact dates in order to plan for any logistics, especially if you have other contractors for counter top, plumbing and electrical fixtures. 

4

Layouts and Workflow

Design Overview

The wall design is typical for small homes. The main challenge will be finding an adequate work area for food preparation. Compact appliances are mandatory to save counter space and give room for cabinet storage. An island across will give it a extra dimension. It has become a client request for open kitchens with a built in cabinetry. 

Wall

The U Shape design will give you the best workflow and maximum storage space. Things can get tight a little, especially in smaller kitchens. This design can turn out to be a kitchen's heaven or a total disaster, so design and plan with cautious.

U Shape

The L Shape design has it all. It looks neat and makes use of space efficiency. With two adjacent, perpendicular walls, the sink and stove can be finely separated. Just watch out for the corner cabinet, because it's an easily wasted space. Separate stations are meant to be placed here.

L Shape

Exclusive for large kitchens, the Island serves multiple cooks and is always a great working area. You don't have to face the wall anymore; you can have a good social place.

Island

Work Space

Design

Kitchens are meant to live. Kitchen remodeling isn't always an option. Maintaining cleanliness is essential for hygiene. Do not underestimate.

The first and last goal of a kitchen is making meals, so functionality comes in first priority. People spend long hours doing hard work. Make it easy on yourself.

People get caught up on storage. There is never enough space so think wisely. Have a list of the essentials and you will have to compromise at some point.

This always takes the spotlights. It certainly sets the mood and allow you to bond with your kitchen. Smart choices will satisfy you for many years to come.

Functionality

Maintenance

Storage

Looks

Design Rules

Dimensions and Clearances

Minimum Clearances for Appliances

Clear counter area on both sides

Clear counter area on both sides

Area shared by and cook if put side by side

a    Sink

b    Cook top

c    Combined space

Minimum hood height above the cook top

Minimum clearance for wall cabinets above sink

Clearance between fridge and stove for ventilation

Free space on both sides of a dishwasher

d    Hood height

e    Over sink cabinets

f    Fridge space

g    Dishwasher

40 cm

40 cm

60 cm

80 cm

75 cm

30 cm

50 cm

• Door height range from 40 cm to 110 cm

• Highest point is at 225 cm from floor

• Minimum clearance above counter top is 40 cm.

• Average clearance is 65 cm and can range up to 80 cm.

• Cabinets height is 90 cm from floor and their depth range from 40 cm to 60 cm.

• Counter tops are a little wider than the cabinets for spill clearance. They range from 67 cm to 75 cm for sinks and cook tops.

Upper Cabinets

Cabinets Clearance

Lower Cabinets

Ergonomics

Cabinets and Accessories

The best storage zone is from 40 cm above floor to 160 cm. This area is where you can reach out with easy effort and without any strain. This will include most of the full tall cabinet and the first two drawers.

This counts for the second best zone and will be the main storage area of the kitchen. With some stretching and bending, it will be hard to make use of all the space without sliding accessories such as shelves and baskets.

Storage area more than 220 cm above the floor do not count as kitchen's central storage. This area is used less frequently, but it is sometimes a must to have with so little storage space around the house.

Main Storage

Miscellaneous

Best Usage Area

Cabinets

Rated

Cabinet Type

Notes

Storage

Reach

Maintenance

Drawers range from 40 cm to 70 cm

Make single layer storage and use dividers.

Double space upper cabinet

Long corner cabinet

Do not store big and heavy items.

Try not to waste the space.

90

90

80

80

95

50

70

30

30

Systems and Solutions

Kitchen Storage

Storage Solutions

Lower Cabinet (35%)

Main storage for cooking equipment, pottery, pots and pans, etc.

Upper Cabinets (30%)

Used for smaller items such as cups and glass ware. They are easier to reach and need good organization.

Drawer dividers are mandatory for storing cooking and serving utensils

Drawers (15%)

Food and Beverage closet

Extra items that need to be stored

Pantry (10%) & Other (10%)

Kitchen Areas / Storage Solutions

1.       Have a list of all your essential kitchen items.

2.       Sort based on weight and volume and assign a category.

           i.e. upper cabinets or drawers etc.

3.       Group items according to work zones.

4.       Assign places for items and modify the solutions as you go on.

Process Steps

Kitchen Items

Appliances & Cooking Equipment

Cooking knives

Eating utensils

Spatula, Whisks, tongs, peeler, scissor

Towels, Tissue,

Spice rack

Top Drawer

Cutter, zester, oil brush, sharpener, ice cream scoop

3rd Drawer

2nd Drawer

Bottom Drawer

Extras

Hanger

Pots & Pans

Cooking Utensils

• 12" non stick skillet

• 12" stainless steel skillet

• 7/4/2 quart stock pots

• Dutch Oven

• 12" Cast iron skillet

• Wok

• Grill pan

• Straight sided saute pan

• Round cake pan

• Turner

• Spaghetti fork

• Meat fork

• Rolling Pin

• Ladle

• Grater

• Slotted spoon

• Garlic press

• Meat tenderlizer

• Potato masher

• Mixing bowls

• Colander

• Fine strainer

• Cutting boards

• Prep. glass bowls

• Scale

• Mortar

Large Utensils

a

g

e

c

d

b

f

7

Days

7

Days

4

Days

3

Days

180

110

90

50

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360

200

150

70

700

400

250

150

You can find out more about Kitchen Ergonomics in our blog right here !

Check out the 5 tips for Small Kitchens

More about Kitchen Cabinets here !

Look up our Procedures Checklist blog !

It is highly recommended to read about Kitchen Organization right here !

4 Factors that will affect Kitchen Maintenance !