How To
Layout and Space Planning in a Modern Kitchen
Unlock the steps to effectively plan and test your kitchen layout with FORM Kitchens, ensuring a design that fits your lifestyle and meets your needs.
Kristen Davis
March 29, 2024
Turning kitchen ideas into a final layout involves understanding your space, exploring layout options, and testing these with your designer to get it just right. We're ready to collaborate with you every step of the way, yet initiating this process doesn't necessarily require a designer's involvement from the start. Continue reading to learn how to kick off your project, generate your own ideas, and test them out—after all, you're the best judge of what works best in your space.
Map Out Your Space
Start with the Basics. First, understand the size and possibilities of your space. This is important whether you're updating an existing kitchen or creating one in a new home. Knowing your measurements is the first step in planning. Next look for layout inspiration; you'll find all the main layout options online or you can tap into our Inspiration Guide to find one that feels like a good fit for your space.
Bring it to life: With your preferred layouts in hand, it's time to bring them off the page and into your home. Use anything from advanced software to basic paper cut-outs to see your ideas in the real world. If you have access to the space, a smart, yet simple strategy is to outline your cabinetry on the floor with tape or newspapers, offering a real sense of space and flow. This approach not only allows you to navigate the practicalities, like checking clearances and integrating unique features, but also helps you connect more clearly with your kitchen's potential.
Tape out your potential layout on the floor to see if it works
Zone Your Functional Areas
Tried and True Theory: By now, you've likely eliminated some layout options, making it the perfect time to delve into zoning your space for optimal flow. Begin with the classic 'working triangle' concept to minimize steps between the refrigerator, stove, and sink. Layer in work zones for storage, prep, cooking, and cleaning next. Stay open to innovative arrangements during this phase—it's all about experimenting with appliance locations and maximizing counter space for efficient task management. At FORM, we take a deep dive into how lifestyle factors influence design, such as creating 'drop zones' for groceries and car keys, and ensuring counters serve multiple purposes—from serving and entertaining to homework. This ensures your kitchen meets all aspects of your life."
Apply Vertical Thinking
Your kitchen's vertical space is just as important as its footprint. Factor in how shelves, or cabinets might accommodate a clutter-free work flow and support your style vision too.
This stage is all about experimentation
Sort Your Inventory
Find a Place for Everything: Now's the time to think about your kitchen items and their place in your kitchen layout. Start by asking, 'What do I have in abundance?' To help out, our Project Handbook provides a detailed checklist of kitchen items, from appliances to utensils, helping you conduct a thorough inventory audit. This step isn't just about organization—it's an opportunity to declutter and focus on the essentials. Whether it's finding space for a new gadget or optimizing storage, ensuring your kitchen meets your daily needs is crucial.
A place for everything, and everything in its place
Test Drive Your Ideas
Run a scenario check: The ultimate test of any preliminary layout or full kitchen design is how well it performs under real-life conditions. We recommend you imagine cooking a favorite meal in your layout or full design as a practical way to experience your future kitchen. Our designers are experts at laying out a high-performance space, but we find this exercise reveals the convenience and accessibility of your setup, for you—because only you know what truly feels right. Consider how the space accommodates multiple cooks, the rush of weekday breakfasts, or relaxed weekend hosting. This iterative process ensures your kitchen is not just visually spot-on but truly tailored to your way of living.
Imagine cooking a favorite meal in your future kitchen
Ready to Get Started?
A Guided Remodel: Download our free Project Handbook, your comprehensive guide to managing your remodel from start to finish. Chapter 4 offers practical steps to test your design, featuring an inventory checklist and test-drive templates. Ready for expert advice? Book a free consultation with a FORM Designer. It’s never too early to start planning your space.
