Page 45 - April 2023

EXPERT ADVICE

The pros and cons of
kitchen layouts

The kitchen is a multifunctional room in the home and creating a
space that is a place to prepare meals but also functions as a dining
room, daytime office or homework area for kids will allow you to make
the most of the room. The kitchen is the central hub of all home activity so
there’s a real opportunity to create a space that truly
enhances your day-to-day life.
uring the last two years, the phrase
‘the kitchen is the heart of the home’
Dhas never been more true. With Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx Kitchens
so many people working from home and
everyone spending so much more time in the
house, the kitchen has reaffirmed its position
at the heart of home life - a space where Ruth Lavender, design expert at Benchmarx the other, but make sure there is adequate
families come together to work, study, cook, Kitchens, says: “The kitchen is the central hub workspace between these elements. This can
dine, entertain and relax. of all home activity, so when it comes to a be an efficient layout for one cook, but two may
redesign there is a real opportunity to create a find themselves under each other’s feet – you
space that truly enhances your day-to-day life. may want to include an extra prep sink to ease
The kitchen has evolved from a single-
purpose room to a multifunctional space that the pressure.
needs to accommodate various activities “While starting the design process can feel
throughout the day. You might want to a little daunting if it’s your first project of this A U-shaped kitchen
combine cooking and prep areas with dining type, breaking down the key elements will If you have a medium-sized room which is
and living zones and have a designated make it feel easier – empowering you to create squarer in shape then consider a U-shaped
office or homework space too. Whatever the the kitchen of your dreams.” kitchen. For a practical layout, try and locate
requirements for your new kitchen are, it is the cooker and hob in the centre and the sink
essential to understand the basic principles So what are the best kitchen layouts? and fridge at either end of the U to create the
of common kitchen layouts. perfect working triangle. A U-shaped layout
An L-shaped kitchen can feel a little overpowering if there are a lot
The kitchen triangle is a design rule based This is the most flexible layout and will of wall units, so consider the current trend for
around the three main appliances in the comprise two runs of cabinets at right angles a tall bank of floor-to-ceiling units on one wall
kitchen: the fridge, the hob and the sink. The along adjacent walls and often include an and open shelving on another. If the space
aim is to place these on the three points of island to provide prep and dining areas. The allows, incorporate a separate dining table
a triangle to minimise effort and walking best ergonomic kitchen layouts place the leading onto a living area, outwith the U layout
distance between them. hob on one wall with the sink and fridge on to keep that for cooking.

44 | espc.com espc.com | 45