8 Rules For Designing A Functional Kitchen
Because beauty can't be everything.
We all want our kitchens to look good, but what use is a pretty kitchen that doesn’t work? Interior designer Lisa Shaffer says that the most functional kitchen is a personalized one. If you’re planning (or dreaming) of a kitchen remodel, take time to consider how you and your family live in the space and use the kitchen before getting into the nitty gritty.
“We believe the most functional kitchen is the one that works for the way you live,” Shaffer says. “We have designed the smallest of galley kitchens and the largest of kitchens with back kitchens and walk-in pantries. While a spacious open kitchen might work for some, other clients prefer a more intimate approach. With thoughtful planning, every kitchen style can function well.”
Sometimes, crafting the most functional kitchen may mean breaking the rules, she says. Old-school rules for kitchen design aren’t the end-all-be-all. Instead, homeowners and interior designers can take creative license to piece together a space that suits those who will be using it.
“So much of what we think about function in a kitchen is dated,” emphasizes Shaffer. “I remember being a child and jumping on the counter to reach a glass just for a glass of water, and no one ever thought to put the glasses in a lower cabinet for easy access. The best function will happen out of thinking through the needs of each client.”
Still, you shouldn’t throw all the rules out the window. To help sort what can stay from what should go, some of the South’s top designers have laid out their best rules for designing a functional kitchen—including tried and true practices, and new, more practical credos that update thinking from the past.
Meet The Experts
Lisa Shaffer is the CEO and creative director of Lisa & Leroy , an interior design firm in Washington, DC.
Courtney Thomas is the founder and virtual interior designer of Crew Hill Designs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Mary Tobias Miller is the owner of Abode Home and Mary Tobias Miller Interior Design in Charlotte, North Carolina.
JuliAnne Kelly is the owner and principal designer of Carrier Design Co. in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Function Over Form
When it comes down to it, interior designers stress the need to prioritize function over beauty. Don’t get wrapped up in the aesthetics of your kitchen and leave practicalities lacking, or yet another remodel may be imminent before the dust has even settled on this one.
“Good kitchen design incorporates both form and function, but if I find myself in a situation where I have to prioritize one over the other, function always wins,” says designer Courtney Thomas. “It's key for efficiency, and when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter how beautiful a space is if it doesn't work for you.”
Kitchens Aren't Just for Cooking
These days, kitchens aren’t just a place for a mother or host to be hidden away while they prepare food in isolation. Instead, kitchens tend to be lively spaces that allow for conversation while cooking. Often, folks these days also use their kitchens for eating and even entertaining. It all goes back to being self-aware of how you use the space, as Shaffer said, and molding a multi-purposed space to suit those needs.
“Kitchens aren't just for cooking—they're the heart of your home,” says Thomas. “When you're thinking about a design, focus on how you'll use the space. Does part of your counter need to double as a workstation for kids? If you love to entertain, you might not want your range in the middle of the island since that's a great place to serve food and gather for conversation.”
Light Bright
For both style and function, kitchen lighting is of critical importance. In fact, good lighting will increase function by expanding the possibility for multiple uses. For example, with ample lighting, a kitchen can also serve as a homework station or home office.
“Kitchens are a space for doing tasks and not just cooking tasks. Do not forget the lighting,” says interior designer Mary Tobias Miller. “Put pendants or a linear fixture over the island. Put cans in the ceiling and add under cabinets and over the sink lighting if your budget allows.”
She also recommends keeping lights on a dimmer and sticking to warm lightbulbs in the kitchen. Notably, Miller points to light fixtures as a priority for function, but also an opportunity to incorporate major kitchen style.
Forget the "Kitchen Triangle"
In the old-school rulebook for kitchen design, the kitchen triangle is likely in the first chapter. However, designers recommend straying from this precedent.
“The ‘kitchen triangle’ is an age-old rule of design, where the flow of the kitchen is based around the 'triangle' shape created by the location of the sink, range, and fridge,” explains Thomas. “Since modern kitchens are multi-purpose spaces, we're often pushing beyond the triangle concept.”
Shaffer and interior designer JuliAnne Kelly agree that the kitchen triangle isn't everything. That isn’t to say there isn't a place for a triangle kitchen, but at the same time, it's not the only option. In fact, Kelly says that focusing steadfastly on creating a kitchen triangle, even if it doesn’t align with the functional use of your kitchen, is a common mistake she sees clients making.
“Sometimes people get so caught up in the working triangle and having everything close together,” she says. “Kitchens tend to be larger these days, and I think having the main features spread out helps balance both the look and flow of a kitchen.”
You Can Never Have Too Many Drawers
“You can never have too many drawers,” reveals Thomas. “We've seen increased interest from clients to create more drawer banks on the lower kitchen cabinets. Many people find drawers more efficient and family-friendly. If you prefer the look of cabinets, you can have the shelves slide out like drawers so you can easily access items tucked in the back.”
No Inch Left Behind
Although she now calls Charlotte, North Carolina home, Miller began her career in New York City, where space is even more of a hot commodity. There, she learned how to maximize every little bit of kitchen space; today, she brings these lessons with her to homes across the South.
To make the most of available kitchen cabinet space, Miller recommends installing full extension hardware which allows you to open a drawer all the way out so that nothing can get lost in the back. Additionally, cabinets are most functional, she says, when their size is tailored to suit the homeowner’s storage needs. This way, there aren’t too wide margins surrounding plates, trays, and other cabinet inclusions, that could add up to useful space.
To save valuable counter space, Miller also suggests carving out spots to suit needs. Rather than giving common offenders a place on top of the counter, she advises: “You can create niches in the wall or small shelves adjacent to the cooktop that are specifically for olive oils, spices, and utensils frequently used.” This will not only save countertops, but also increase function by allowing home cooks to keep their most-used ingredients within arm’s reach of where they’ll need them.
Surround the Island with Space
“A common mistake I see is not leaving enough room between the island and the perimeter cabinetry,” Kelly shares. “This is especially true if you have a sink and dishwasher on the island and a range directly across from them. When someone is loading the dishwasher and another person is putting food in the oven, that space quickly feels tight. I always recommend a minimum of 52 inches between and push for more if there is room in the design.”
Find Appliances a Home
At the forefront of designers’ minds is what to do with all those kitchen appliances. There are so many to be had these days, and if you’re not careful, appliances can completely commandeer your countertops. Small appliances should be stored away, in an “appliance garage” in close-to-reach cabinets, Kelly says. For larger appliances that can’t be as easily hidden, thoughtful placement is critical—to both function and safety.
“Appliances have come a long way but I would not put an oven next to a refrigerator for fear of overworking the cooling system,” says Miller. “I also would not put a cooktop on the edge of a counter. It’s too easy for little hands to reach the hot top.”
According to Shaffer, another appliance arrangement to consider is the relationship between the refrigerator and microwave placement. Having them right in the middle of things could be a mistake, she says.
“These are generally the most used appliances,” Shaffer explains, “and keeping them away from the cooking area ensures the entire family can function in the space without being on top of one another.”
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