What kind of cook are you? Do you like preparing elaborate dinner party menus? Or do you prefer family barbecues with tossed salads? Perhaps sumptuous, no-fuss one-pot wonders?
However you use your kitchen and, how many people regularly use your kitchen, will obviously impact on what type of kitchen you opt for.
So what are your options?
If you love flipping through interior design magazines, you’ll be in your element planning a new kitchen because there are so many ideas out there. You can design your kitchen to reflect your taste and personality. Or, if you’ve got too much on your plate already, just keep it simple and functional.
Either way, here’s some points to consider to get you started thinking about what kitchen will best suit you.
Layout
The amount of space you have will influence the kitchen layout you opt for. Below is a quick guide to the most common kitchen layouts and their benefits. See which one suits you:
Galley – Also known as a corridor kitchen, the galley layout is a good option for a small space (although depending on the width of the walkway it may cater for just the one cook). Because you have countertops and cupboards on each side of a walkway, you’ll maximise storage space.
U-shaped – this kitchen layout is great if you have the space for it. It allows for more than one cook to work at a time and, because you’ve got countertops on three sides, it equals efficient meal prep.
L-shaped – this layout is essentially open-plan. With only two walls, the kitchen integrates nicely with the dining area meaning the cook is not isolated (plus you can keep an eye on the next course while joining everyone at the table!).
Island – kitchens with a large island have proved very popular in modern houses. Add chairs to the external side of the island and house members and guests will congregate there, turning the kitchen into a social hub. Island kitchens are very easy to work in, plus the large island bench is multi-purpose; it can be used for food prep/serving or, as a substitute dinner table.
Single wall – Hate cooking? Opt for a tiny; no fuss kitchen that only takes up a single wall. This design, popular in modern apartments is a space saver and, if you have fantastic takeaway options nearby, why wouldn’t you?!