The Pro Panel: "My Must-Haves for a Super-Functional Kitchen..."
One question, seven expert answers
Rebecca Gross
25 March 2017
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
We asked seven Houzz professionals what they think every functional kitchen must have and their responses are telling. Despite the slew of nifty and high-tech products available on the market, a super-functional kitchen all comes down to smart planning, long-lasting materials and getting the basics right.
Here’s what seven kitchen designers have identified as their super-functional must-haves, which they recommend including in any new kitchen.
Here’s what seven kitchen designers have identified as their super-functional must-haves, which they recommend including in any new kitchen.
Fit-for-purpose materials and hardware
Charlie Wilde and Travis Dean, owners and kitchen designers at Cantilever Interiors: Creating a super-functional kitchen starts with a robust and visually resolved palette of durable, fit-for-purpose materials and hardware. High-quality materials not only ensure the longevity and long-term functionality of your kitchen both physically and aesthetically, but also require minimal maintenance.
Laminate and reconstituted stone are two materials that we use for benchtop surfaces in almost every kitchen we design and make. Reconstituted stone benchtops are a strong and attractive choice, while laminate-on-ply benchtops and cupboards are not only hardwearing and durable, but also aesthetically versatile. They can can take on a nostalgic, modern, traditional or understated feel depending on the style of your home.
Charlie Wilde and Travis Dean, owners and kitchen designers at Cantilever Interiors: Creating a super-functional kitchen starts with a robust and visually resolved palette of durable, fit-for-purpose materials and hardware. High-quality materials not only ensure the longevity and long-term functionality of your kitchen both physically and aesthetically, but also require minimal maintenance.
Laminate and reconstituted stone are two materials that we use for benchtop surfaces in almost every kitchen we design and make. Reconstituted stone benchtops are a strong and attractive choice, while laminate-on-ply benchtops and cupboards are not only hardwearing and durable, but also aesthetically versatile. They can can take on a nostalgic, modern, traditional or understated feel depending on the style of your home.
We also recommend European stainless-steel hardware as an easy-to-clean, hard-working choice that will maintain its shine and performance in the long term.
A well-zoned layout
Anne Ellard, designer at Kitchens by Kathie: A well-zoned layout is an essential element to creating a functional and user-friendly kitchen. Group everything in your kitchen into one of five categories: consumables such as chilled and dried foods, non-consumables such as crockery and glassware, cleaning, preparation and cooking. Then plan your kitchen so that everything that falls into each of these categories is located in one zone.
Choosing the right kitchen layout
Anne Ellard, designer at Kitchens by Kathie: A well-zoned layout is an essential element to creating a functional and user-friendly kitchen. Group everything in your kitchen into one of five categories: consumables such as chilled and dried foods, non-consumables such as crockery and glassware, cleaning, preparation and cooking. Then plan your kitchen so that everything that falls into each of these categories is located in one zone.
Choosing the right kitchen layout
Your preparation zone should have lots of bench space and be surrounded by cabinets that store chopping boards, utensils and mixing bowls in easy reach. Likewise, your cleaning zone should include a sink, dishwasher, waste disposal system and storage for cleaning products all in one area. This makes finding what you need much easier, and optimises workflow in the kitchen.
Plenty of bench space
Graeme Metcalf, kitchen designer and renovator at Dan Kitchens: One principle that goes a long way to helping anyone design a functional kitchen is bench space.
Graeme Metcalf, kitchen designer and renovator at Dan Kitchens: One principle that goes a long way to helping anyone design a functional kitchen is bench space.
Taken to the lower extreme, a kitchen without bench space is impossible to work in and will be the bane of your existence. When planning or designing a kitchen, allocate plenty of bench area around key work zones (especially your cooktop) and your kitchen will be a happier place to work in.
A good bin setup
Nathan Wundersitz, owner and designer of Space Craft Joinery: A good bin set up is an essential element of a super-functional kitchen, and preferably a multi-container bin that allows for recycling and separation of waste.
As society’s appreciation of the impact of excess waste becomes more evident, designers need to make the sorting of waste at the point of creation as easy as possible. We are being encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle, and a good waste-sorting system makes this an efficient and trouble-free process. We have a four-bay bin setup in our kitchen for chicken scraps, compost (paper, onion peel, citrus), recycling and non-recyclables. This system makes waste sorting a normal and efficient part of our day.
Nathan Wundersitz, owner and designer of Space Craft Joinery: A good bin set up is an essential element of a super-functional kitchen, and preferably a multi-container bin that allows for recycling and separation of waste.
As society’s appreciation of the impact of excess waste becomes more evident, designers need to make the sorting of waste at the point of creation as easy as possible. We are being encouraged to reduce, reuse and recycle, and a good waste-sorting system makes this an efficient and trouble-free process. We have a four-bay bin setup in our kitchen for chicken scraps, compost (paper, onion peel, citrus), recycling and non-recyclables. This system makes waste sorting a normal and efficient part of our day.
To elevate your bin to the next hygiene level, ensure it is on a Blum Servo-Drive, so you can use a knee or hip to open the bin and not have to use your hands (which avoids the use of messy hands or cross-contamination when preparing food). Also position it adjacent to where you will be doing most food preparation so you can simply scrape the food scraps into the bin, rather than carrying them across a surface.
Tidy tips for kitchen bin storage
Tidy tips for kitchen bin storage
Easy access throughout
Ole Jensen and Kesha Pillay, designers at Art of Kitchens: Easy and convenient access around the kitchen is important for making it as functional as possible. This includes having a short distance between all of your vital zones such as cleaning, preparation and consumable areas.
Ole Jensen and Kesha Pillay, designers at Art of Kitchens: Easy and convenient access around the kitchen is important for making it as functional as possible. This includes having a short distance between all of your vital zones such as cleaning, preparation and consumable areas.
Position your sink in between your bin drawers and dishwasher to make it easier to clean up and to empty, rinse and then stack your dishwasher. And keep your everyday appliances, such as the kettle, coffee maker and toaster, together and easily accessible to reduce the time spent (and steps needed) to undertake daily tasks.
A single sink with zip taps
Vanessa Cook, design manager of smarterBATHROOMS+, which provides design services for kitchens and bathrooms plus other areas of the house: A sink is, of course, a necessity in any kitchen, but the inclusion of a single kitchen sink that is really wide is far more practical for cleaning than two smaller sinks, and it helps define and contain the ‘cleaning zone’ in the kitchen.
Browse more single-sink kitchens
Vanessa Cook, design manager of smarterBATHROOMS+, which provides design services for kitchens and bathrooms plus other areas of the house: A sink is, of course, a necessity in any kitchen, but the inclusion of a single kitchen sink that is really wide is far more practical for cleaning than two smaller sinks, and it helps define and contain the ‘cleaning zone’ in the kitchen.
Browse more single-sink kitchens
If you do have enough space, however, a butler’s pantry with an additional sink will allow for a ‘mess zone’ while keeping your main kitchen guest-ready.
Fit the sink out with some of the latest zip taps on the market, which are gooseneck in appearance. They are multi-purpose single taps that allow for normal use as well as instant hot water, filtered water and sparkling water – on tap.
Fit the sink out with some of the latest zip taps on the market, which are gooseneck in appearance. They are multi-purpose single taps that allow for normal use as well as instant hot water, filtered water and sparkling water – on tap.
Durable finishes
Steve Johnson, owner and director at Retreat Design: Mosaic-tiled splashbacks may look fabulous, but who wants to spend all weekend scrubbing food splashes from the grout. Choose large-format splashback surfaces such as glass, mirror or engineered stone for a much easier surface to clean and maintain.
Steve Johnson, owner and director at Retreat Design: Mosaic-tiled splashbacks may look fabulous, but who wants to spend all weekend scrubbing food splashes from the grout. Choose large-format splashback surfaces such as glass, mirror or engineered stone for a much easier surface to clean and maintain.
Also carefully consider the cabinetry finishes. A durable surface for cupboards around the sink, bin, or crockery drawer is recommended. And delicate timber surfaces should only be used as highlights in display units or overheads to add contrast to the design.
Tell us
What’s your must-have for a super-functional kitchen? Tell us in the Comments section below.
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Browse more kitchen photos
Tell us
What’s your must-have for a super-functional kitchen? Tell us in the Comments section below.
More
Browse more kitchen photos
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Ruth and James - we have our cooktop (induction) in our island and I don’t recommend it. I much prefer the island to be a clear prep and serve space, with both sink and cooktop on back or side benches
I am not sure if the “single sink“ scenario means 1 sink w 1.5 or 2 bowls (yay!) or only one bowl? (boo!)
Definitely second the recommendation for a good bin area. We seem to have everything else in our current kitchen but are still stuck with a stupid free standing bin in the way