While your guests may not be registered poor kitchen layout At first glance, there are a few that designers will immediately notice. It also means that over time, you’ll start to experience the frustration of a poorly designed kitchen, even if it isn’t obvious at first.
You deserve a cooking space that works with your lifestyle, schedule, and the people in your home, and a mediocre layout can prevent that.
Luckily, there are several ways to fix a less-than-ideal layout. We got lots of useful advice from two interior designers who shared the biggest layout problems in kitchens and how to fix them with and without renovation.
insufficient counter space
One of the most glaring errors seen in kitchens by interior designer Brooke Droptini is a lack of counter space. This is especially true when seeing that “major appliances like the fridge, stove, or sink have no landing zone.”
“Without proper counter spaceMeal prep turns into a feat, says Droptini — balancing hot pans, chopping boards and mixing bowls with ‘where do I put this?’ It becomes a frustrating game of.” This isn’t just inefficient; It’s unsafe.”
Although you’ve mastered the art of managing limited surface area, there are still ways you can better equip your kitchen structurally and without demolishing anything.
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Solution
if you are happy bring into good conditionDroptini recommends 18 to 24 inches of clear counter space on either side of your sink and stove. For the fridge, you should aim for 36 inches (enough room for those grocery bags). She also suggests implementing an island that has 42 to 54 inches of space between it and the cabinets around it.
Renters and homeowners who aren’t looking for big projects needn’t worry, there are still ways to improve the space. Droptini says enlist the help of a rolling cart, butcher block, or fold-down surface as these can “create prep areas where they’re needed most.”
poor flow
Another glaring mistake that designers can quickly spot is a kitchen that hinders your movement and isn’t designed with efficiency in mind. Interior designer Caroline Seminara says this leaves residents “constantly moving back and forth unnecessarily, or worse, bumping into things because the flow stops.”
Although it may not be as drastic as a fridge sitting in the middle of the cooking space, this invisible system helps guide your movement around your kitchen and is a must-have for comfort and convenience. Otherwise, it’s horribly annoying at best or dangerous at worst.
Solution
The Spruce/Alyssa Vela
This is one of the first things Seminara looks at in a renovation.
“I know how to adapt the layout so everything works better together,” she says. “This may mean reinstalling equipment, adding a island“Or even remove a wall to open up space.”
In addition to renovation, Seminara focuses on more creative solutions. But before that she gives a suggestion deep clean And declutter to get rid of items you don’t need and find homes for those you do need. “Clear countertops can instantly make a kitchen feel more open and organized,” she says. Once that’s the case, she suggests bringing in clear containers, baskets, open shelves, and trays “to add both order and style.” Are.
Paths that force people to crisscross
Similar to a poorly flowing kitchen layout, another “red flag” droptini raises is a design that forces visitors and people living in the home to constantly criss-cross each other.
“If someone is unloading groceries while the other person is cooking or serving drinks, the kitchen shouldn’t feel like a crowded intersection,” she says.
This may be due to narrow pathways and equipment that is not in the best possible condition. When this happens, you’ll start noticing it right away. Droptini says this kind of design that isn’t well thought out can “make even a simple task seem disorganized.
Solution
According to Droptinny, if you’re interested in trying something new, you’ll need to aim for walkways that are at least 42 inches wide for single-cook kitchens and 54 inches wide for multi-cook kitchens. In her own work, she always chooses the 54-inch, whether it’s single- or multi-cook.
She also suggests considering changing where your appliances are currently located and thinking about opening up walls that may be making your space cramped. Less permanent solutions include creating a streamlined organizational system. The best way to do this is to “keep frequently used tools, pantry staples, and serving essentials grouped by function to reduce unnecessary movement.”
You can also achieve a lot through styling and good lighting, which can “visually direct the flow of a space and make it feel more intentional, even if the layout isn’t perfect.”
oddly placed cabinetry or appliances
If you have cabinets and appliances in the wrong places and no counter space to accommodate your needs, it makes it difficult to move around your kitchen and find what you’re looking for.
“A lack of counter space makes food preparation difficult, and poor storage can lead to counters becoming cluttered, making the whole space feel cluttered instead of functional and welcoming,” says Seminara.
While there are no hard and fast rules on where things go and what features you should have, there are general pointers that designers would recommend for seamless cooking, preparation, cleanup, and hosting.
Solution
When it comes to the foundation of your kitchen design, there are a number of functional features you can choose from to streamline this space. Seminara suggests pull-outs Pantry Drawer And special organizers made specifically for corner shelves. Make sure you include enough counter top surface area and create an island if there’s room.
If you’re not planning on renovating in the near future, Seminara encourages homeowners to consider investing in a mobile island or kitchen cart and installing hooks and racks for your cookware. Light There may also be an impact.
“Adding lighting under cabinets or strategically placing lamps can illuminate the area and create a more inviting ambiance,” she says.
