Design Your Dream Kitchen With These Brilliant Cabinet Layout Tips
Dreaming of a kitchen makeover complete with gorgeous cabinets arranged in a functional layout? The cabinet configuration you choose can make or break your kitchen's storage capacity, workflow and overall aesthetic. Follow our expert guide to design your dream kitchen and bring your vision to life.
Whether you're doing a full remodel or just swapping out a few cabinets, planning the layout is crucial. A strategic arrangement can maximize every inch of space while accommodating your cooking and lifestyle needs. Read on as we walk through the key considerations for crafting your ideal kitchen cabinet layout.
Optimize Storage Capacity
Kitchen cabinets provide the bulk of storage in most kitchens, so maximizing their capacity should be a top priority. Here are some of our favorite tricks to build in plentiful storage:
- Incorporate tall, ceiling-height cabinets to take advantage of all available vertical space. Use them to corral overflow or rarely used items.
- Add pull-out pantries that fully utilize space from floor to ceiling for maximized volume.
- Employ blind corner cabinets or lazy susans in corners to provide access to awkward spaces.
- Install roll-out trays, drawer organizers and other specialty inserts to make the most of every cabinet.
- Choose cabinets with adjustable shelves so you can customize as needed over time.
Design For Workflow
Consider how you naturally move through the kitchen during food prep, cooking and clean-up. Map out zones for your main kitchen work triangle between the sink, fridge and stove. Make sure there's adequate circulation space around islands and peninsulas.
Place commonly used items in the most accessible cabinets - think dishes, glasses and mugs near the dishwasher, pans and cooking tools within reach of the stove. Locate cleaning supplies close to the sink. Allow ample, unobstructed counter space for meal prep zones and appliances.
Mix Up Cabinet Styles
Who says all your cabinets need to match? Mixing upper and lower cabinets is a great way to add visual interest to your layout. Glass-front upper cabinets maintain an airy vibe, while solid lower cabinets offer enclosed storage at eye level.
Contrast open shelving and closed cabinetry to balance displayed items with hidden storage. Unexpected pops of color like a vivid blue island contrasting warm wood base cabinets can give classic materials a contemporary twist.
Choose Space-Savvy Cabinet Types
Every inch counts when planning a kitchen layout, so make savvy choices when selecting cabinet styles:
- Opt for large drawers instead of fixed shelves in base cabinets for more versatile storage.
- Bring hard-to-reach corners to life with lazy susans or specialized blind corner cabinets.
- Install pull-out spice racks, tilt-out trays and other specialty inserts suited for your belongings.
- Choose cabinets with adjustable heights to maximize room for taller items.
Accommodate Appliances
Your kitchen layout requires coordination with major appliances. Carefully measure openings needed for your stove, fridge, dishwasher and other large appliances. Leave adequate clearance for ventilation, doors and drawers.
Design cabinetry around plumbing fixtures for sinks, taking into account tasks like washing large pots. Build in specialized pull-outs or cabinets for trash and recycling. Leave room for microwaves, either on the counter or installed in dedicated cabinetry or shelves.
Illuminate With Lighting
Proper kitchen lighting complements your layout for visibility and ambiance. For task lighting, undercabinet lighting is ideal for brightly illuminating countertops and work zones. Install recessed can lights directly over main appliances and meal prep areas.
For overall ambiance, pendant lights work wonderfully over a kitchen island. Glass-front cabinets allow for interior lighting to illuminate and showcase contents. You can even incorporate lighting inside drawers and pantries to eliminate dark, hidden spaces.
With mindful planning and our brilliant kitchen cabinet layout ideas, you can craft a stunning, ultra-functional kitchen tailored to your cooking and lifestyle. Start by mapping out workflows and storage needs, then select space-savvy cabinets that accommodate appliances and maximize every inch.
Mix up cabinet styles for visual interest, while ensuring lighting shines in all the right places. Use our tips to create a breathtaking, personalized kitchen that exceeds your wildest dreams.
For more layout inspiration or help turning your vision into reality, contact our kitchen design specialists today. We can plan and implement the custom cabinet configuration of your dreams!