Rethink kitchen layout to maximize usability, livability
For many households, the kitchen is the most popular room in the home.
Even though The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average person spends just 68 minutes each weekday consuming food — and about 37 minutes preparing meals — the kitchen is not simply a spot for food. It is also a gathering place for conversation, homework and family time.
Because so much time is spent in this room, arguably the “heart of the home,” many of today’s popular kitchen layouts are designed to maximize the comfort and efficiency of these rooms.
COMMUNAL ZONES Unlike the days of yore when the kitchen was utilitarian, today’s home floor plans make kitchens a focal point of a home.
Food preparation is no longer a solitary task. Thanks to larger kitchen footprints and multiple zones set up for meal creation, a greater number of people can hang out in the kitchen and help with meals.
Multiple sinks, large islands and more counter space are key components of modern kitchen layouts.
DINING NOOKS Kitchen designs are bringing back banquette seating in a cozy nook. This design is a practical use of space and can fit in large and small kitchens alike. It also can give a kitchen a high-end look, as built-in banquettes can highlight a bay window or seem custom-made for the space.
Banquette seating can fit a number of people comfortably and provides a sensible and casual dining-spot solution.
FAMILY TABLE
The trend experts at Southern Living magazine indicate that formal dining and living rooms are now used infrequently. As a result, kitchens have evolved to accommodate meal prep and dining.
A large family table in the center of the room brings people into the kitchen to get more involved with food, San Francisco designer David Kensington said.
COUNTER CULTURE Taking a page out of a favorite corner diner or bar, today’s kitchens are increasingly outfitted with a large island flanked by chic counter stools, according to the design pros at Domino.
This allows family members to pull up a stool and grab a quick snack. The island is also a great place for friends to engage in conversation while a host or hostess prepares cocktails and appetizers for an evening soirée.
WORK ZONE
Many families like to have an area of the kitchen set up as a tech zone, where kids can do their homework, and even parents can do some work, such as paying bills.
Setting aside counter space as a small desk area can be a great idea. Such areas also help parents keep a watchful eye on children while they’re surfing the internet.