9 Kitchen Design Layout Ideas

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, focus on efficiency and ease of use.

A kitchen remodel gives you the opportunity to start from square one and make your kitchen more efficient and user-friendly than it’s ever been. How? By thinking about the best way to design the space before the experts hang the first cabinet and lay the first tile.

Here are a few tips for making the most of your kitchen design layout.

1. Ditch the triangle of fridge, stove and sink. Instead create modern work zones—designated spaces where you do certain tasks.Carve out space near the stove for a cooking zone where you keep cutting boards, spices, mixing bowls, knives and other essentials. Create a cleaning zone in cabinets adjacent to the dishwasher and sink, for storing dishes and silverware.

2. Place the pantry next to the fridge to keep all food together.

3. Maximize storage with cabinets both above and below counters.

4. Add an island!

5. Put a sink in the island across from the stove to maximize space and workflow.

6. Position lights to shine on workspaces like the stove and sink.

7. Use strip lighting under cabinets to brighten dark spaces.

8. Install enough electrical outlets for smaller appliances.

9. Use built-in pull-out cabinets for garbage bins.