Decorating Kitchens
Design and Layout Tips

Planning and decorating kitchens hints and advice.

Discover the ideal design and layout for your kitchen.

layout ideas for decorating kitchens

I'm looking at how to interior design your own kitchen.

Here I look at design and layout for the kitchen.

The mysterious kitchen work triangle is uncovered and explained.

I'll also recommend two free online planners that you can use to help design your own perfect kitchen layout.

Working in your kitchen will be a real chore - unless you get the layout right.

decorating kitchens - try to include some seating in your kitchen - a breakfast bar is a good solution of a table won't fit or doesn't suit your lifestyle

These days, it is becoming more and more popular to have some seating in your kitchen.

If you have the space, this can be a table - alternatively go for a space-saving and very useful breakfast bar.

Modern trends are towards island units which incorporate some food preparation space, and seating.

It's a very sociable way of using your kitchen too!

The Kitchen Work Triangle

You may have heard about the work triangle, for planning and decorating kitchens.

This is a design idea, which originally came from a study by Cornell University in the 1950's.

Interior Designers still recognise the work triangle as the ideal basis for your kitchen plan.

Each of the 3 tips of the triangle refers to one of the important appliances or functions in your kitchen -
- the sink
- the fridge
- and the oven and hob

Experts recommend that the 3 sides of the triangle should all add up to less than 6 or 7 metres (20 - 22ft) in length.

Some people now think the work triangle is a bit old-fashioned - but I still find it a really good design basis for decorating kitchens.

In the modern world, kitchens have lots more appliances and gadgets, including microwaves and dishwashers.
Maybe you use these more than the sink and oven? If so, re-evaluate your work triangle designs, and make them work for you

Make sure the items you use most (whatever they are) are all in easy reach, and allow you plenty of space to work efficiently.

The way that you position the work triangle in your kitchen will have a lot to do with the shape of your room.

Take a look below, where I will walk you through some ideal layouts for different shaped kitchens.

I have even discovered some great video clips to help you plan your kitchen better.

You will be able to get a better understanding of the kitchen work triangle, and some great ideas for planning and decorating kitchens, to use in your own home.

Square Kitchen (Large or small) (U-shaped or Horseshoe design)

Long Narrow Kitchen (Galley kitchen design)

Large Room or Open Plan Living (Island units)

Kitchen-Diners (including small kitchens) (L-shaped design)

decorating kitchens

Square Kitchen

A U-shaped or Horseshoe shaped kitchen is ideal for large or small, square rooms.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

There is plenty of space here, for storage, and lots of free work surface.

Work in lots of additional features such as shelving, wine racks, etc.

If you have room, consider adding a table and chairs in the centre space.
But make sure that this does not interfere with moving around the room, and the work triangle.

Additional storage, a food preparation area or a breakfast bar, could be added with a 'peninsular unit' - jutting out from one end of the horseshoe.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

A U-shaped or Horseshoe shaped kitchen.

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Long Narrow Kitchen

Narrow Galley Kitchen

For decorating kitchens which are a long narrow room, a narrow galley kitchen is the ideal choice.

All units and appliances are placed along one wall.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

Try using the 'store, prepare, cook, wash' rule.
Place the appliances you use in a line, according to the order you use them as you prepare and cook a meal, then wash-up and put-away.

Or, put the sink in the middle, with plenty of work surface between the sink and the hob, to chop and prepare food easily.

Choose shallow units, to give your kitchen plenty of space, and make your room look wider.

Or, if you have the space, choose extra deep base units, but very narrow wall units, or open shelves on the walls.

Choose integrated appliances for a streamlined look.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

A galley kitchen is ideal for decorating a long narrow room.

Wide Galley Kitchen

This is ideal if your kitchen is long and narrow, but still wide enough to take a double row of units.

This is a good layout for decorating kitchens with doors or access at both ends.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

If you have enough room, opt for extra deep base units. Combine with shallow wall units, or open shelving.

Allow 125cm (or 4ft 2 inches) between the two rows of units, to make sure you can move around the kitchen and use it safely.

Consider integrated appliances.

Try going handle free. Fit push-click magnetic catches on doors, for a streamlined look.

Keep your choice of colors, units and flooring pale.
Choose lots of light reflective finishes, such as gloss white and stainless steel, to keep the room from feeling oppressive.

ideal layouts for decorating kitchens - an example of a wide galley kitchen layout

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Large Room or Open Plan Living

Island units are a really modern statement for decorating kitchens, and give a luxury look to any kitchen.

Your kitchen has to be big to get away with it though.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

Make sure your island unit has a real function. Otherwise, it just steals your space, and makes you walk further.
Add a hob or sink, or just use it for food preparation.

Island units are ideal for storage. You can fit loads of shelves, drawers, wine racks and other useful storage.

Island units are a really good idea for incorporating some seating into your decorating kitchens design.

Try using a different color for the units or work surface of the island unit. It will give it a real 'stand-alone' feel.

If you are worried that space might be an issue, try a mobile island unit on wheels, that you can push to one side, when it is in the way.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

A practical island unit gives a touch of luxury to any kitchen.

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Kitchen/Diners

For the ideal kitchen/diner layout for any size or shape kitchen use an L-shaped kitchen layout.

Put a table inside the 'L'.

Or, use one 'leg' of the 'L' to separate kitchen and dining areas.

decorating kitchens work triangle layout

Use glass fronted wall units, or open shelving on walls above base units, to create a pleasant atmosphere for dining.

Make sure appliances are evenly spaced around your kitchen, so that you always have enough work surface area.

If your room is large enough, try adding a 'peninsular unit' - jutting out from one of the ends, to create a breakfast bar.

Try to decorate the 'dining' side of your kitchen in more relaxing tones and colors.
You might want to use more soft furnishings, or softer 'mood' lighting to get a different 'mood' from the busy food-preparation area of the kitchen.