Have a look at the kitchen in your current home. What do you like about it? What don’t you like so much? Think about each area, from food prep to dining to cleanup, and how you want it to function. Your move-in will be a little easier if you already have an idea of what’s going where. Be sure to have a look at the kitchen Update checklist before you start. And if you’re renovating your home or building a new one, you may want to ask yourself some of the following questions before you decide on a layout.
Food preparation center
How many sinks do you need?
Do you want a built-in water filtration system?
How much space do you need for food prep?
Do you have enough space for special activities such as baking or cooking for a large group?
What size refrigerator do you want and do you have the space for it?
Do you have sufficient storage for dry and canned goods, spices, linens, baking dishes, small appliances, and pots and pans?
Do you want a lazy Susan or pull-out pantry?
Do you have space for recycling and waste disposal?
Easy access
Are there entrances on both sides of the kitchen for safety in case of a fire?
What kind of doors do you want: pocket, swinging or none at all?
Is there space to hang coats, remove shoes or rest heavy loads?
Are walkways wide enough?
Is there enough room to maneuver between the sink, the fridge and the cooktop/oven/range?
Cooking center
What appliances do you want and where will they go?
Do you want a convection oven?
Do you want a new microwave?
How do you want your cooking elements—including range and microwave—configured?
Do you have sufficient counter space for small appliances such as a toaster, blender or coffee maker?
Do you have room to store appliances in cupboards, if that’s what you prefer? Or do you have room to store them in cupboards, if that’s what you prefer?
Which type of ventilation system do you prefer—a micro-hood (recirculates air) or separate vent hood (vented outside)
Do you have easy access to pots and pans, cookbooks and utensils?
Do you have counter space on either side of your cooking surface?
Dining center
Do you want a dining area in your kitchen?
If your answer is yes, would you prefer a traditional dining area, a breakfast nook or an island with stools or a combination of the two?
Is the eating area convenient to the working areas in your kitchen?
Is there enough room for diners to access the dining space?
Cleanup center
Do you want a dishwasher, and if so, where will it be located?
Do you have enough cleanup space for dishes and unloading the dishwasher?
Is there enough room to open cupboards to put dishes away when the dishwasher door is open?
Are cupboards easily reachable from the dishwasher?
Are trash and compost containers easily reachable from food prep areas?
Specialized centers
Do you want a coffee or bar area?
Do you want space for a small office in your kitchen, including a desk and computer?
Do you want space for pets to eat or sleep?
Do you want a laundry area with a washer and dryer, folding station or ironing board?