What good is a new kitchen if it’s not practical? If you’re designing a kitchen for your new home or starting a remodeling project, you need to make sure your new look isn’t all form and no function.

If designed correctly, a functional kitchen will give you plenty of room for cooking, baking, entertaining, connecting with family, and enjoying home-cooked meals. The kitchen is one of the rooms in your house that gets used most often, so it needs to offer everything you need. 

Are you wondering how exactly you can come up with a kitchen design that will maximize your space? If so, keep reading to find some of the best ideas for creating a functional and enjoyable kitchen space.

First, Consider Your Needs

Before making any concrete plans, take some time to think about what you want from your kitchen. Then, you can start looking at design layouts that might suit your preferences.

For example, avid chefs may want a home with a double oven, making it faster to cook big meals. Or, you may want an oversized sink, like the double bowl apron sink, giving you ample space for washing produce or doing dishes.

Once you know exactly what you want from your kitchen, it makes it easier to decide how your new kitchen should look.

A Functional Kitchen Needs Plenty of Storage

For your kitchen to be truly functional, there’s one thing it needs plenty of—storage space. A kitchen is no good if it can’t fit everything you need, so make sure your new kitchen has plenty of storage options.

You’ll want plenty of shelves, with places for both large and small items. For corners, installing lazy susans can help maximize storage space and also make it easier to access your homewares.

However, storage is more than just cabinets. You can also add vertical storage so that you can hang pots and pans on the wall to save space.

Cluttered drawers can also be a thing of the past if you create custom organization units for things like spices, cutlery, and bakeware.

Look for Energy-Efficient Appliances

Your kitchen should not only be functional, but also practical. This means you need to be energy-efficient, so select appliances that will use energy wisely.

When shopping, look for fridges, dishwashers, and stoves that rank highly when it comes to Energy Star ratings. This will save you money in the long run and will also help the environment by using less power.

You can also increase your kitchen efficiency by switching to LED lighting, unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use, and conserving heat by making sure you use the right-sized pots for each burner on the stove.

Ensure Every Item Has a Place to Call Home

Organization is everything when it comes to having a functional kitchen. Even small kitchens can be functional if you stay organized.

It helps to be sure there’s a place for each pot, pan, and appliance to live, which will keep your kitchen from becoming cluttered.

For small appliances, you may want to store them when not in use. For your microwave, you may want to build a shelf for it to keep it off the countertop.

These small tweaks will help stop your kitchen from looking messy, but it will also free up valuable counter space to give you more room to cook and prepare meals. If you have an open plan kitchen, keeping the counters empty will also make it look more appealing when guests come over.

Add an Island

If you have space, adding an island to your kitchen can massively increase the functionality of your space. It’s fantastic for entertaining, as you can add stools for extra seating or use it to set up appetizers and drinks.

Islands also give you plenty of extra counter space and storage room, helping you make the most of your kitchen.

Let in Natural Light

Let there be light! The best kitchens are those with plenty of natural light.

You want plenty of sunlight to cook, eat meals, and relax, as it can make your kitchen feel more inviting and relaxing. Natural light also helps you save on energy bills, since sunlight flowing in means you’ll have less need to turn on the lights.

Installing a skylight or bay windows are some of the best ways to create a more light and airy kitchen space.

Include a Place for Garbage

Something we sometimes forget about when designing our kitchens is including a space for garbage. No one wants an unsightly garbage can in their kitchen, so think about creating a spot for both trash and recycling.

It can be a good idea to install built-in containers under the sink for trash and recycling, both plastic and paper. This will keep your trash out of sight and will give you a convenient space for throwing away trash and recycling as you cook.

Start Designing Your Perfect Kitchen Today

Designing your own kitchen can be an exciting project, but you need to make sure it suits your needs as a family. Use the ideas above to create a functional kitchen that’s not only practical but also stylish.

It can help to browse online or visit home renovation stores to get ideas, then find an architect that you can work with to bring your dream kitchen to life. It’s an investment that can massively increase the usefulness of your kitchen, so get started today—you won’t regret it!

Did you find this article to be helpful? If so, please keep reading to find more great ideas and inspiration.