Kitchen planning

Kitchen layout planning starts with movement, not a style board.

The layout needs to support multiple people opening appliances, carrying groceries and cleaning up without turning every meal into traffic management.

Plan four working zones

• Storage: refrigerator, pantry and everyday dishes.
• Preparation: continuous counter space near sink and refrigerator.
• Cooking: range, ovens, ventilation and the tools used there.
• Cleanup: sink, dishwasher, waste and drying storage.

Protect the paths people use

Mark appliance doors, cabinet drawers and the route from the kitchen to dining or outdoor areas. An island can add valuable prep space, but only when it does not make the main aisle hostile to two people. Recheck the drawing with every door and drawer open—not just the cabinet fronts shut.

Before you settle finishes

Choose appliance locations, cabinet storage strategy and the sink position first. A beautiful door style cannot fix a prep surface that is too small or a dishwasher that blocks the only passage. Then move to cabinet construction and storage.