Month: November 2022
7 Tips to Improve Kitchen Flow
Introduction
The kitchen is the heart of your home, and it’s important to get it right. The flow between each area can make or break your kitchen design. If you did some cooking for Thanksgiving you may have noticed that things could have gone a little better, but are unsure of where to even start. Here are 7 tips to improve the flow in your kitchen:
Assess your kitchen.
The first step to any successful kitchen redesign is to assess your current situation. What’s going well? What could be improved? Are you dealing with a specific problem—such as a lack of storage space, too many appliances or an inefficient layout—that needs to be addressed right away?
Understanding your needs and wants in relation to the space at hand is essential for deciding where and how to make changes. It’s also important to consider the flow between areas like the kitchen and dining room, where people often transition between tasks.
Take time to think about how you work in the kitchen
- Ask yourself: What do I do in the kitchen?
- How often do I do it?
- How long does it take?
- How much space is involved (e.g., am I chopping vegetables, or am I making an elaborate dinner for eight people)?
If you’re a beginner cook, your answers will be different than if you are an experienced chef. If you are a novice cook, there’s no shame in having a pretty simple setup; just make sure that it works well for your needs. For instance, if preparing an omelet is something that takes up only half an hour every Sunday morning and involves only a few ingredients and utensils, then set aside some counter space near the sink so that everything is within arm’s reach of each other as needed—no need to buy expensive storage containers or drawers!
Designate zones for prep, cooking and cleanup.
Designate zones for prep work, cooking and cleanup. Envision your kitchen as a series of zones, each with its own distinct purpose.
- The prep zone is where you’ll cook up ingredients like meat or veggies before adding them to other dishes. This step can be done outside on the grill or indoors on the stovetop or in an oven.
- The cooking area is where you put together whatever meal it is you’re making—for example, chopping vegetables for salsa or browning ground beef for tacos.
- The cleanup zone is where dirty dishes are washed and dried after being used in the other areas of the kitchen; these may include pots, pans and utensils that were used during food preparation and storage containers that held pre-cooked ingredients before they were added to meals (like canned beans).
Add in convenience features for everyday tasks
Adding in convenience features for everyday tasks is a great way to make your kitchen flow better. It’s simple, and you can do it yourself with relatively little effort.
One of the most useful things you can add is an electric kettle. This will allow you to quickly heat water without having to wait on a stove top or microwave. If a stove-top kettle is out of your budget, try using a microwave safe glass container instead—it works almost as well!
If you want to get more organized in the kitchen, try investing in some drawer organizers. These are great because they allow you to store things like silverware and utensils in drawers instead of having them all over your countertops or hanging on hooks above cabinets. This makes it easier for people to find what they need when cooking or cleaning up after a meal.
Evaluate your storage space.
Storage is a vital part of the kitchen flow. You may have plenty of storage space, but if your items are in the wrong place or are difficult to access, it’s going to impact how easy it is to operate your kitchen. To make sure that you’re using your storage space effectively, consider these tips:
- Don’t store items that you don’t use often. If you don’t use something regularly, find a way to store it elsewhere (such as in an attic) or donate it so it can be used by someone else.
- Don’t store items that are hard to get at easily.
- Keep frequently-used utensils and appliances near where people will need them most often during cooking time—the sink, stovetop, and oven should all be within close reach of each other for maximum efficiency when prepping meals in this area of the kitchen (or any other part). This also means making sure there isn’t too much clutter around work surfaces so everything stays out where it needs to go without being hidden behind piles of random stuff!
Maximize vertical space.
- Maximize vertical space. With a small kitchen, it’s important to maximize your vertical storage space as much as possible. I recommend using wall space over cabinets because it gives you more options for shelving and cabinets are often too bulky for tight spaces.
- Maximize under-the-sink storage. Most kitchens have an awkward gap between the sink and the cabinet below it, which is prime real estate for storing things like baking supplies and cleaning products that could otherwise go on shelves in other parts of your kitchen but might get lost among food items or spices if kept there instead. Use baskets or bins to store these items here so they’re easily accessed when needed (and out of sight when not).
- Use the top over your oven/fridge as well—think about how many times you move things from one surface to another throughout cooking: measuring cups going from countertop to stovetop back down again; cutting board moved from sink side next time we need more room on our cutting board tray that sits next door near our fridge door (which is where we keep most of our prep materials); etcetera! All those things can be put up high so they stay within easy reach no matter where else you happen
The best kitchen layouts can make a big difference
Whether or not you’re in the process of renovating your kitchen, it’s important to think about how you work in the space. A well-designed kitchen layout can make a big difference in terms of efficiency and productivity. The best kitchens are designed with specific zones for cooking, preparing food and cleaning up. They also include convenient features that make everyday tasks more efficient. When evaluating your storage space, think about what items will be used most frequently and where they should go so that they’re always within reach but not in the way (or vice versa). Maximize vertical space by utilizing overhead cabinets, pull-out drawers or even wall-mounted hooks for pots and pans.
Conclusion
The kitchen is a place for inspiration, creativity and family time. It should be easy to work in and function well. By following these tips to improve your kitchen flow you will be on your way to creating a space that works for you!