How to Plan Your Perfect Kitchen

Imagine Your Kitchen Zones

Every cook has their own idea of the ultimate kitchen, but have you really given proper thought to what yours should be? As the legendary Julia Child once said, "Design your kitchen right the first time, and you will never have to think about it again." Make a wish list of everything you'd love to have in your new kitchen. The more thought that goes into planning, the closer you come to creating a beautiful, efficient space that suits the way you live. One of the best starting points is to take a good look at your current one. Make a list of your five favorite things about the kitchen you have now. Then list five features that drive you crazy. Now, think about how you use your kitchen space, and jot down what would make your new kitchen the best ever. Here are some general space categories to keep in mind as you make your lists:

Food Storage Zone

What kinds and quantities of food do you generally keep on hand? Your pantry, cabinets, shelving, and freestanding storage pieces are all places for go-to ingredients. Ditto for the fridge and freezer. If make-ahead meals or frequent entertaining are on the agenda, consider loading up on food storage space.

Prep Zone

Imagine the activities that take place in your kitchen during a typical day. For example, is more than one person involved in meal preparation and clean-up? If so, you might benefit from having multiple work stations. A second sink and dishwasher can come in handy for a busy kitchen.

Cooking Zone

What's your cooking style? Gourmet cooks dream of a six burner commercial stove with a built-in griddle and grill, while busy families may get more use from timesavers like an efficient microwave (or two), toaster oven, countertop grill or panini press.

Dining Zone

Where do your family and friends naturally congregate? This is where features like a breakfast bar, kitchen island, built-in banquette and dining table come in. A lot of households use a combination of different dining spaces, depending on who's home and what's going on that day.

Family Zone

How does your family use the kitchen? If kids help with cooking, think about a prep area for little cooks. You may also want to allocate space for doing homework, paying bills, surfing the net and watching TV. If your family includes four-legged members, remember pets need space too (who wants to trip over water bowls?).

Friend Zone

No matter where the party is supposed to be, the kitchen is everyone's favorite gathering place. As you design your new kitchen space, think about where friends tend to congregate when you're entertaining. You may want to choose a layout that allows for multiple cooks and separates the cooking zone from social areas.

Equipment Zone

Smart storage is one secret to an efficient kitchen. Use your current kitchen as a starting point for planning storage systems for cookware, small appliances, tools, cutlery, tableware, linens, cookbooks, and cleaning supplies. Imagining your daily kitchen life will help make sure that every essential has a home.

Future Zones

Look ahead to the way your kitchen needs may evolve over the next five to ten years. For example, will you be starting a family soon, or will your youngest child be heading off to college? Will you be taking care of an elderly parent? With the right planning, your kitchen will provide a lifetime of great service.

Article and Photo: Williams Sonoma