Could you show layouts with zones for various kitchens ie U layout with zones, C layout with zones. I find it hard to plan an optimal layout. I agree zones are really the key of the perfect planning. Thanks a lot for your great work❤
Totally on board with the zone method. The ‘triangle’ never worked for me and I’ve struggled, in every house I’ve occupied, to get in a groove with my prep and cooking. Finally had a chance to tear out a kitchen and design it with me in mind. It was such a rewarding process, even though it cost a bit more with a complete tear out. The workflow made me want to be in my kitchen and it felt like an extension of myself. Sadly, my husband needed to relocate and I’m, now, in an outdated and no-flow kitchen…back to frustration again. Once this house sells, my design is in my head and ready to be put into my new home. Your channel is a great resource and helps with details I wouldn’t have otherwise thought about, like drawers instead of doors, countertop options, etc. Thanks for all your research!
Having used large but poorly zoned kitchens, it is surprising just how much walking you need to do between zones - an issue made even worse by an island or kitchen table. My current kitchen is zoned to a degree, but being small, the distance between zones is not so much measured in steps by direction, but in degrees rotation clockwise or anticlockwise! Even though my kitchen is small, I made sure that I had two distinct preparation areas, one between the sink and the fridge, the other opposite the fridge and next to the hob - essential if you have two people working in a small space. One of the best improvements I made was moving the oven from under the hob to the wall opposite (the kitchen units are only about 1100 mm apart, so no distance at all). The difference it makes when there are two of you in a small kitchen is unbelievable. I know that it is the usual location and probably the most efficient use of limited space, but one of my pet hates is the bin under the sink. It might be OK when alone, but for some reason, whenever there are two of you in the kitchen and you want to put something in it - the other person is all too often in the way! Even though small, I have two additional zones, but I am not so sure that you would say they qualify, one is a shelf in a wardrobe, and the other in the hall cupboard 😅
Good points. Totally agree. The bin under the prep zone is sooo much more useful, and it’s where most of the waste is generated in my ( also quite small by Australian standards) kitchen.
One thing that's overlooked is how many are going to use the kitchen at the same time. If you cook alone zoning may be the most efficient and having a small distance between fridge, sink and cooktop is brilliant. Yet if you are cooking with 2 then little space often means terrible flow and circulation, always having to step aside when the other person needs access to the fridge, a drawer... Then if it's a more social family type of kitchen efficiency may be less important than the social factor, such as facing each other and having good circulation and a comfortable place to sit. The other part is the size of the kitchen Most kitchens aren't that big, in a relatively small kitchen you're probably better off trying to maximize countertop and storage space instead of thinking about zoning, since everything will be nearby regardless. In a massive kitchen part is probably going to be for seating, a bar...not only a cooking area.
Great to see the new video - good job 😊 I was introduced to kitchen zones a couple of years ago, and although I have a small galley and therefore could only make some relatively small changes it has actually made a huge difference 😅 (and I now have a baking zone) looking forward to some new content 🎉
Great to see you back. It has been too long. Hope you had a good time though. I’ve done my wonderful kitchen (partially because of you ;) but still like to watch your videos. 😊
Hi sir, I really appreciate your videos and insights into kitchen design. I am hoping if you can offer me any ideas as I have a design dilemma and my architect hasn't really been much use. I am having kitchen extension to get more space and light, I have no idea how best to place the kitchen/dining/lounge zones is this something you could help with? 👍
Great planning advice.. I hadn't thought about a coffee or tea area being a zone, but that is such a great idea.. Keeping certain consumable items easily accessible for other people without being road blocked is a great idea too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for these great tips! Very timely for us as we are just building our home and have just laid out the kitchen appliances (jigsaw puzzle corners) and now filling in the cabinets to their proper zones. This has been so helpful!! As its not as big a kitchen as I was hoping, I'm having to Tetris in the various stations... but its actually FUN! thanks again!
Who knew designing a new kitchen would involve so much? I've worked on the new floorplan/design for about 5 months now. (it's a substantial addition) It will be an L shaped kitchen with a 10x4 island. Deciding exactly where windows are placed, appliances, etc plus choosing cabinets, counters, lighting,..... Now I understand why people hire kitchen designers.
I only store fry pans, lids and Dutch ovens near the stove. For other pots & pans the point of both first and last use is the SINK so I store them there. Soup, pasta, grains, etc all need water to start.
Hi Michael! Wonderful content as always. Zones aren't second nature to me, but they do make sense--a good way to think about how to get everything working together well. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Were have you been! Good to see you back👍 1. Stop giving the game away 😂 2. You should do a workshop vidio for architects?(you know exactly what i on about😅) 3 really good to see you bsck, hope things are good and please keep creating because you are quite good at it 👍
Hi Pedantic mode - the titles 'Consumables' and 'Non Consumables' are not self explanatory and would be better titles 'Food Storage' and 'Tablewear'. My present kitchen, over due for a remodel, has no setdown area for the 'Food Storage'... yes it will be fixed with the new layout.. but the hot water heater has to go first. Suggestion for another topic - kitchen cabinet volume size. Most have a current kitchen and should be able to determine it's volume, possibly for each zone, and then determine the new layout volumes for each one. This should give an idea of any short falls. Mine is now 1.4 cubic meters and the new layout (version B series 3 so far) has 1.6 cubic meters. The new layout has many more draws that should improve the 'pack density' thus increasing the usable space. Any ideas on the ratio of improvement going from shelves to draws??? Yes, how long is a piece of string? From down under, where my temperature in the shade last week was 38 C @ 7pm...
the kitchen in my apartment is split into two different rooms 😭 the fridge, storage and prep zone are in the main room and the sink and stove are in the hallway (with no windows/ ventilation and only 70cm of walkway). theres no storage or counterspace there either haha. its sooo annoying
The kitchen in our next house doesn't have a pantry, so i'll have to create one out of the existing cabinets. As i see it, the best spot for it is in the upper cabinet next to the stove. The cab is 17 inches above and to the side of the stove, and i've never noticed any heat in there when the stove is in use, but i've read that canned goods, etc. shouldn't be near the stove. Any input anyone could give would be appreciated, Thank you.
My floor plan at present has the fridge diagonally opposite the pantry - as far away from each other as they can get and still both be in the same room. I have my triangle fairly close together, the bin, dishwasher and sink are right by each other, and the stovetop and oven are together. But the pantry and the appliances bench are on the opposite side of the room and I can't see how to change it.
Who can afford kitchens like this? How about videos showcasing affordable kitchens to apartment living ? I’m tired of seeing things unattainable to most people. Your examples of kitchens are unrealistic to most people.
Even in cheap kitchens they can be well designed to make best use of the layout. Choose the cheapest reasonable items that fit your budget... I'm going with IKEA for the bases, the hob and oven. The sinks from IKEA don't suit me so I'm going with $190 one from a cheap building supplier .. ~ $60 more than an IKEA equivalent but bigger and the drain hole suits me better. Laying out to use the present services is key to keeping the costs down, you can still move things a little, but too far and your in for $$$ in plumbing and electrical... Hope that helps, good luck.
PS I'll be using laminate bench tops with laminate back splash. Cheap... and it can last! And I don't like tie grout, nor the cost of other finishes. The bottom end just means you have to be careful not to select more expensive stuff where cheaper stuff will give the same appearance and service.
Great advice thank you. We are planning a new kitchen and you fingered one or two mistakes we had not noticed. Many thanks!!
Could you show layouts with zones for various kitchens ie U layout with zones, C layout with zones. I find it hard to plan an optimal layout. I agree zones are really the key of the perfect planning. Thanks a lot for your great work❤
Totally on board with the zone method. The ‘triangle’ never worked for me and I’ve struggled, in every house I’ve occupied, to get in a groove with my prep and cooking. Finally had a chance to tear out a kitchen and design it with me in mind. It was such a rewarding process, even though it cost a bit more with a complete tear out. The workflow made me want to be in my kitchen and it felt like an extension of myself. Sadly, my husband needed to relocate and I’m, now, in an outdated and no-flow kitchen…back to frustration again. Once this house sells, my design is in my head and ready to be put into my new home. Your channel is a great resource and helps with details I wouldn’t have otherwise thought about, like drawers instead of doors, countertop options, etc. Thanks for all your research!
That was a very helpful video. Thank you! Thank you so much.
Having used large but poorly zoned kitchens, it is surprising just how much walking you need to do between zones - an issue made even worse by an island or kitchen table.
My current kitchen is zoned to a degree, but being small, the distance between zones is not so much measured in steps by direction, but in degrees rotation clockwise or anticlockwise!
Even though my kitchen is small, I made sure that I had two distinct preparation areas, one between the sink and the fridge, the other opposite the fridge and next to the hob - essential if you have two people working in a small space.
One of the best improvements I made was moving the oven from under the hob to the wall opposite (the kitchen units are only about 1100 mm apart, so no distance at all). The difference it makes when there are two of you in a small kitchen is unbelievable.
I know that it is the usual location and probably the most efficient use of limited space, but one of my pet hates is the bin under the sink.
It might be OK when alone, but for some reason, whenever there are two of you in the kitchen and you want to put something in it - the other person is all too often in the way!
Even though small, I have two additional zones, but I am not so sure that you would say they qualify, one is a shelf in a wardrobe, and the other in the hall cupboard 😅
Good points. Totally agree. The bin under the prep zone is sooo much more useful, and it’s where most of the waste is generated in my ( also quite small by Australian standards) kitchen.
Sounds like you've got your kitchen well optimised! Love it!
One thing that's overlooked is how many are going to use the kitchen at the same time.
If you cook alone zoning may be the most efficient and having a small distance between fridge, sink and cooktop is brilliant.
Yet if you are cooking with 2 then little space often means terrible flow and circulation, always having to step aside when the other person needs access to the fridge, a drawer...
Then if it's a more social family type of kitchen efficiency may be less important than the social factor, such as facing each other and having good circulation and a comfortable place to sit.
The other part is the size of the kitchen
Most kitchens aren't that big, in a relatively small kitchen you're probably better off trying to maximize countertop and storage space instead of thinking about zoning, since everything will be nearby regardless.
In a massive kitchen part is probably going to be for seating, a bar...not only a cooking area.
Great to see the new video - good job 😊 I was introduced to kitchen zones a couple of years ago, and although I have a small galley and therefore could only make some relatively small changes it has actually made a huge difference 😅 (and I now have a baking zone) looking forward to some new content 🎉
Kitchen zones is definitely needed; cannot imagine not considering it.
Great to see you back. It has been too long. Hope you had a good time though. I’ve done my wonderful kitchen (partially because of you ;) but still like to watch your videos. 😊
Thanks so much! Very happy to hear you've done your kitchen. I hope it all went well and you're enjoying it now!
Hi sir, I really appreciate your videos and insights into kitchen design. I am hoping if you can offer me any ideas as I have a design dilemma and my architect hasn't really been much use. I am having kitchen extension to get more space and light, I have no idea how best to place the kitchen/dining/lounge zones is this something you could help with? 👍
Great planning advice.. I hadn't thought about a coffee or tea area being a zone, but that is such a great idea.. Keeping certain consumable items easily accessible for other people without being road blocked is a great idea too. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for these great tips! Very timely for us as we are just building our home and have just laid out the kitchen appliances (jigsaw puzzle corners) and now filling in the cabinets to their proper zones. This has been so helpful!! As its not as big a kitchen as I was hoping, I'm having to Tetris in the various stations... but its actually FUN! thanks again!
Thanks so much! There is something very satisfying when you get all the puzzle pieces (or Tetris blocks) lined up! I hope it all goes well! 😃
Who knew designing a new kitchen would involve so much? I've worked on the new floorplan/design for about 5 months now. (it's a substantial addition) It will be an L shaped kitchen with a 10x4 island. Deciding exactly where windows are placed, appliances, etc plus choosing cabinets, counters, lighting,..... Now I understand why people hire kitchen designers.
Best explaination of designing for a functional kitchen. Thank you!
I only store fry pans, lids and Dutch ovens near the stove. For other pots & pans the point of both first and last use is the SINK so I store them there. Soup, pasta, grains, etc all need water to start.
Thanks for the good advice. It makes total sense to think about zones.
Hi Michael! Wonderful content as always. Zones aren't second nature to me, but they do make sense--a good way to think about how to get everything working together well. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
Thanks so much!
Awesome! Thanks for the vid.
Thanks! Pleased you liked it!
Were have you been! Good to see you back👍 1. Stop giving the game away 😂 2. You should do a workshop vidio for architects?(you know exactly what i on about😅) 3 really good to see you bsck, hope things are good and please keep creating because you are quite good at it 👍
Thanks so much! Very kind. (2. I do know what you mean! 😂)
I liked it when Your hair was red😊
Hi
Pedantic mode - the titles 'Consumables' and 'Non Consumables' are not self explanatory and would be better titles 'Food Storage' and 'Tablewear'.
My present kitchen, over due for a remodel, has no setdown area for the 'Food Storage'... yes it will be fixed with the new layout.. but the hot water heater has to go first.
Suggestion for another topic - kitchen cabinet volume size. Most have a current kitchen and should be able to determine it's volume, possibly for each zone, and then determine the new layout volumes for each one. This should give an idea of any short falls. Mine is now 1.4 cubic meters and the new layout (version B series 3 so far) has 1.6 cubic meters. The new layout has many more draws that should improve the 'pack density' thus increasing the usable space. Any ideas on the ratio of improvement going from shelves to draws??? Yes, how long is a piece of string?
From down under, where my temperature in the shade last week was 38 C @ 7pm...
the kitchen in my apartment is split into two different rooms 😭 the fridge, storage and prep zone are in the main room and the sink and stove are in the hallway (with no windows/ ventilation and only 70cm of walkway). theres no storage or counterspace there either haha. its sooo annoying
Love this idea. Thanks!!
The kitchen in our next house doesn't have a pantry, so i'll have to create one out of the existing cabinets. As i see it, the best spot for it is in the upper cabinet next to the stove. The cab is 17 inches above and to the side of the stove, and i've never noticed any heat in there when the stove is in use, but i've read that canned goods, etc. shouldn't be near the stove. Any input anyone could give would be appreciated, Thank you.
My floor plan at present has the fridge diagonally opposite the pantry - as far away from each other as they can get and still both be in the same room. I have my triangle fairly close together, the bin, dishwasher and sink are right by each other, and the stovetop and oven are together. But the pantry and the appliances bench are on the opposite side of the room and I can't see how to change it.
Cooking cleaning and consumable zones can still form a triangle . It Doesn't have to counter it
734 times ZONES was said , interesting
Who can afford kitchens like this? How about videos showcasing affordable kitchens to apartment living ? I’m tired of seeing things unattainable to most people. Your examples of kitchens are unrealistic to most people.
Even in cheap kitchens they can be well designed to make best use of the layout. Choose the cheapest reasonable items that fit your budget... I'm going with IKEA for the bases, the hob and oven. The sinks from IKEA don't suit me so I'm going with $190 one from a cheap building supplier .. ~ $60 more than an IKEA equivalent but bigger and the drain hole suits me better. Laying out to use the present services is key to keeping the costs down, you can still move things a little, but too far and your in for $$$ in plumbing and electrical... Hope that helps, good luck.
PS I'll be using laminate bench tops with laminate back splash. Cheap... and it can last! And I don't like tie grout, nor the cost of other finishes. The bottom end just means you have to be careful not to select more expensive stuff where cheaper stuff will give the same appearance and service.