How to Design a Kitchen to Fit Your Lifestyle | Wayfair (2024)

How you use your kitchen layout is specific to you and your family. Think about your daily life and the time you spend or don't spend in the kitchen. Whether you like to entertain or have a personal chef making your meals, your kitchen design should support your lifestyle because a useful layout can transform the way you live.

The Culinary Minimalist

Just because you have a kitchen doesn’t mean you use it. Some people are just better at making reservations instead of an at-home dinner for two. Even if you’re not one for cooking, you can still remodel your kitchen design to be more efficient for when you do need to turn on the countertop stove or when you just want to heat up some takeout.

• Designing zones: If you mostly use your kitchen design to make coffee or prepare the occasional fast meal, make those areas in your layout easy to use. Round up all the necessary countertop items for that task and store them in the same area so you can find and use them quickly.
• Buy alternative appliances: If you don’t use standard appliances, trade them in for designer countertop items you might enjoy more, like a beverage center, microwave drawer, or designer espresso machine.
• Repurpose the room: Discover alternative ways to use your kitchen design, whether that’s turning it into a countertop workstation, an area for company to gather, or extra storage space for other furniture.

The Aspiring Chef

You’re someone who doesn’t just like to cook, you love it. This particular lifestyle type finds joy in trying new recipes and would rather spend time in the kitchen than watching television or going out. Create your ideal designer kitchen with inspiration from professional chefs while also adding your own personal kitchen design style.

• Focus on flow: Cooking often comes down to timing. The kitchen design should shorten the distance from one area to another by considering the kitchen design triangle principle, which is the path created between the appliances like the stove, refrigerator, and sink.
• Organization is key: One of the most frustrating things for someone who loves to cook is not designing enough appliance storage or furniture organization to keep their kitchen clean and efficient. For designing counter space, try moveable furniture like an island with wheels or an over-the-sink cutting board. Use overlooked spaces to store a rolling storage cart or install a pot rack, shelves, and hooks from the ceiling.
• Add some style: Professional designer kitchens focus on function, but since this room is your favorite, add a touch of personal flair. Whether that’s investing in lighting up the room with bright lighting, top-of-the-line gadgets, adding surround sound, or focusing on color palettes and LED lighting, add in those designer details to make it your own.

The Entertainer

You’re all about bringing people together over a delicious meal and love throwing a memorable dinner party. There are many ways to help your kitchen serve as a place where people love to hang out.

• Keep it cozy: Make everyone comfortable by creating a warm, inviting atmosphere by opening up the layout, adding comfortable seating like a banquette and bar stools, and combining the kitchen and dining areas. This will also allow you to participate in the party while preparing the meal.
• Go clutter-free: A clean, organized space will put you and your guests at ease. To start, keep the counters clear by keeping an organized pantry (if you have the space) and installing a hanging pot rack and a wall-mounted magnetic knife bar and spice rack. Kitchen islands also offer many versatile storage options and serve as an area to prep or put out appetizers. Make sure your refrigerator is large enough to hold the extra food and drinks you’ll be serving or consider a beverage center to accommodate overflow.
• Splurge on the details: The kitchen is an area that you enjoy hanging out in, so remodel to add some extra amenities like speakers, a beer tap, a wine dispenser, or even a television.

The Family on the Go

As is the case with most busy households, the main priority of your kitchen is to give you space to prepare healthy meals faster and make cleanup easier. Consider some time-saving organizational tips for a better way to get your family fed.

• Make it kid-friendly: Get an extra pair of helping hands by rearranging your kitchen. Put items like kid dishes, silverware, napkins, and cereal in a special lower, kid-reachable area so they can help load dishes, set the table, or sort silverware. Consider a microwave drawer to allow your kids independence in making after-school snacks and helping in the kitchen.
• Cook smarter, not harder: Invest in any sort of gadget or appliance, like a slow cooker, air fryer, or an iPad that will help you find recipes and cut-down on prep time, thus making your job in the kitchen easier and less stressful.
• Crush cleanup: Learning to clean as you cook can be a whole new challenge. Start by making sure you have easy access to your different work areas so you can stir in one step and load the dishwasher in another. Another great way to ensure fast cleanup is to install a double sink and invest in a large, high-end dishwasher.

No matter what your kitchen lifestyle is, taking time to understand your “hub of the home” wants, needs, and desires can turn your kitchen into the best room in your house.

With over 25-years of experience, Kerrie Kelly is creative director for Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, an award-winning California interior designer, author and contributor; product designer and multi-media consultant, helping national brands reach the interior design market.