The interior design of kitchen – create a functional kitchen

Last Updated on 30. November 2025 by Noremax

We all know, designing a kitchen is tougher than it sounds, especially if you have no idea of where to start. Designing a kitchen is about a lot more than choosing the right furniture, wall colour or splash back. Most people already know what they like, but the hard part is finding the stuff that looks good together and not just as a stand-alone piece. A great kitchen design is not just about the aesthetics, it has to be functional and user-friendly. Here are some tips and tricks on how to achieve the best interior design for kitchens.

The interior design of kitchen – Where to start?

The first step is always to find out the correct measurements of the room. Knowing the dimensions will give you a perception of how the room should be arranged – what length of a kitchen counter is applicable, where should the dishwasher be located for practical purposes, where are the windows and natural light sources positioned and how many artificial light sources are needed as support? When you have understood the features of the rooms it is also important to remember your own lifestyle and preference. So, don’t disregard your own expectations in favor of the features of the room.

For example, a single male has just purchased a 2-bedroom apartment with a perfectly sized kitchen. Underneath his apartment lives a family of 3. The kitchen has the exact same layout, but the lifestyles of the different households will significantly change the design of the kitchen. A single male doesn’t require as much storage opportunities, nor a large fridge. He might eat out a lot and can therefore plan for a kitchen and consider the aesthetical values higher than the family underneath. They need a more functional kitchen with much more cabinets – both full height and a combination of lower and overhead ones. Perhaps they even prefer to invest in a double fridge and freezer as well as a large stove and sink.

The interior design of kitchen – Kitchen layouts

There are several different standard layouts for a kitchen design. What layout you choose depend on both the features of the room as well as the user’s preference and lifestyle. What is important to remember is that the layout should be practical and ergonomically laid out to ensure both safe and efficient work in the kitchen.

L-shape kitchen

The L-shaped kitchen layout is one of the most popular, as it works great in both large and small spaces. The principle of the working triangle is optimal to use in this particular layout and it also helps the user to divide the space into different zones. Depending on the orientation of the L-shape, the arrangement is perfect to create a kitchen peninsula. The bench can therefore work well as a connection between kitchen and dining,- or living room. The layout is optimal for small spaces, as it allows for an open floorplan which create an illusion of the room being more spacious and light.

U-shape kitchen

A U-shaped kitchen is an arrangement that is very often found in small kitchens, in particular. The design is universal, adjustable and functional. The design maximise the use of space and creates more storage opportunities as well as working space. It makes cooking and food preparation a much more enjoyable chore.

Apart from storage, the U-shape kitchen also pave the way for more appliances and amenities to take place. The design is therefore perfect for a small household who enjoys cooking, baking or just the luxury of having full sized appliances and space for cooking tools.

The U-shaped kitchen is another great solution for connecting a kitchen with another room, in an open floorplan. However, what one needs to remember is that the distance between the two parallel kitchen counters must be spacious. Ideally, the distance should be approximately 1200mm, but no less than 900mm. If the space is smaller, the layout will not be functional as the user will have difficulties moving around freely and opening the doors to the many appliances installed throughout the kitchen.

Kitchen with an island

The kitchen design that includes a kitchen island is gaining more and more attention. The island is a great solution for a spacious kitchen as it allows for additional storage and work area. The design is also a great connection between kitchen and adjacent rooms.

The kitchen island is a furniture which is accessible from all angles and it allows for an effective layout of a kitchen. The island can also be used as a bar desk or dining table, which gives the island a bonus feature – the social feature. As the island is accessible to all and can be decorated with chairs, it is also a great solution to allow the cook to become part of the social gathering. Perhaps the social aspect is what has made the design popular.

Arranging a small kitchen

Designing a small kitchen is a real challenge. The best way to start is to decide upon a design style and minimalism is preferred in smaller spaces as it make it seem more spacious and not as cluttered.

Furthermore, a very small kitchen might not have room to hold a L-, or a U-shape. Therefore, we want to address the simpler alternative – the I-shape. It is multifunctional and user-friendly, if designed properly. A great trick is to combine full height cabinets with lower cabinets and perhaps overhead cabinets. The design allows for necessary appliances, storage and a sufficient amount of working counters. Just remember to design the space in zones for the most efficient layout. Keeping the pots and pans close to the stove, food preparation tools and access to the fridge and pantry close by the working counters and trash bins under the sink area are three great options to consider.

Kitchen organisation ideas can come in handy when arranging a kitchen in a small space.

How to design a kitchen – The design principles

There are a few design principles that should be considered when designing a kitchen. Because arranging a kitchen is not always an easy task and we often make mistakes that could have been avoided. So, here is a guide to help you avoid these simple slipups. Enjoy!

# 1 – The distance between the stove and sink

A common mistake is that the stove and sink are positioned too closely together. You need at least 400 mm between the appliances to be able to work safely in the kitchen.

# 2 – The sink and the stove on the same wall

Sometimes the stove and sink are placed too closely, other times they are placed too far away. The best way is to place them at a sufficient distance from each other, but still close enough that you won’t have to carry the hot pots further than necessary. Therefore, we suggest placing them on the same bench and not on opposite walls, but with at least 400cm distance from each other.

# 3 – Position of the oven

Small kitchen designs often place the oven in a corner, but this is actually quite an impractical solution. To ensure safety it is best to be able to have access to the oven from all sides, so if you have the opportunity to place the oven in another location, please choose a place where you have ideally 900mm on both sides.

# 4 – Keep the associate appliances close by

If we have a really large kitchen, let’s make sure that the equipment isn’t scattered around at opposite ends of the room. It is always good to consider what products are often used together. When these have been identified, you are wise to place them in positions where they are close to one another. This ensures efficiency and safe work.

# 5 – Implementation of the working triangle

Some of the best kitchen designs are based on the principle of the working triangle. The refrigerator, sink, and hob are arranged in a way to cover the shortest possible distance between them. This kind of arrangement is a great solution for efficient work, and it also ensure optimal storage opportunities.

The interior design of kitchen – zones

When designing a kitchen, it is important to divide it into zones: a wet zone, a cooking zone, a storage zone, a food preparation zone and a dining zone.

A wet zone is a place where we have a sink, dishwasher, place for dirty dishes and a place for drying dishes. It is therefore important to have all the cleaning agents and trash bins close by.

In the cooking zone, we should have cooking tools at hand, but also a refrigerator nearby. This zone will in addition to the cooking tools, like pots and pans, also hold a microwave, oven and stove.

The storage area will obviously include the refrigerator, freezer, pantry and other cabinets where we can store additional products. Ideally, the storage area should also hold empty countertops or be close to a table to have access to a relief area when you are stuffing all of your groceries into the already filled pantry.

Food preparation area should have food preparation tools close by, like cutting boards, kitchen assistants and serving bowls. However, the most important feature of the food preparation area is the empty counter tops. These are the areas where the groundwork happens.

The last zone is the area where all that has been stored, prepared and cooked is consumed. Whether it’s a quick cup of coffee before work of a three-course dinner, you need a place to sit and relax while enjoying delicious foods and beverages.

The personality of the kitchen

A kitchen design is not complete without a personal touch. You have chosen a dedicated design style, arranged your kitchen in a way that favors the room layout and the lifestyle of the user. You have decided on the perfect colour of the walls and the wall tiles. If you are unsure, we have many kitchen paint ideas to help you get through this step. Now all that is missing are the final touches. Choose accessories and decor that complement the interior and brings out your personality.

Appliance integration and hidden technology

In a well-executed interior design of kitchen, integrated appliances are no longer a luxury but a strategic engineering choice. Modern kitchens rely on a visually seamless environment where technology supports, rather than dominates, the space. Panel-ready appliances, hidden behind furniture-matched fronts, lead in contemporary layouts because they remove visual noise and create a unified architectural volume. This approach works equally well in small and large kitchens, but it becomes critical in compact spaces where every additional line or colour break makes the room appear smaller. True integration, however, goes far beyond hiding the fridge. It requires aligning ventilation channels, planning correct clearance zones, and selecting appliances with front-venting systems that can function properly inside cabinetry.

An often-overlooked aspect is ergonomic placement. Built-in ovens and microwaves mounted at chest height reduce bending and lifting, improving safety and workflow for everyday cooking. Dishwashers with raised bases, side-opening ovens and modular induction hobs support safer movement across the kitchen. Hidden technology also includes appliance garages—compact compartments for mixers, coffee machines or toasters that slide out smoothly yet remain concealed when not in use. This preserves clean counter space, a key requirement for a functional kitchen.

Another rising trend is “invisible” utility systems: integrated downdraft extractors, slimline recirculating hoods hidden inside cabinets, and handle-free dishwashers with push-to-open mechanisms. These solutions deliver high functionality without distracting from the design language of the kitchen. Smart appliances further expand the possibilities. Fridges that track food inventory, induction hobs with automatic pan recognition, or ovens with internal cameras add a new layer of convenience. When properly incorporated into cabinetry and workflow planning, technology becomes an invisible ecosystem working silently in the background. The goal is not only aesthetics—it is designing a kitchen where every appliance supports efficiency, comfort and long-term durability.

Lighting engineering in kitchen interiors

Lighting design is one of the most underestimated components in the interior design of kitchen, despite being one of the most impactful. A functional kitchen requires a layered lighting system that addresses visibility, safety and atmosphere. The base layer is ambient lighting—ceiling fixtures or linear LED panels that evenly illuminate the space. Without this, shadows accumulate in corners, making the kitchen feel smaller and less comfortable. To support the working zones, task lighting must be introduced. LED strips or profiles mounted underneath overhead cabinets ensure that countertops, cutting areas and cooking zones receive strong, directional illumination. Ideally, the LEDs should have a high CRI (Colour Rendering Index) to accurately reflect the natural tones of food and materials.

Accent lighting enhances both design and spatial perception. Vertical light-washing on walls, toe-kick illumination under base cabinets, or subtle lighting inside glass cupboards add depth and dimension, making the kitchen appear larger and more refined. These solutions also serve a functional purpose—night-time navigation becomes safer and more comfortable. For open-plan kitchens, the lighting strategy plays a critical role in defining zones. Pendant lamps above an island help transition from work area to social space, while dimmable fixtures allow the kitchen to shift from a task-oriented workspace to a warm, atmospheric environment.

Temperature and colour of light are equally important. Warm white (2700–3000K) enhances natural materials like timber, while cooler white (3500–4000K) complements minimalist, modern kitchens with stone and metal surfaces. A balanced approach often works best: cool light for working surfaces, warm lighting for dining and social zones. Well-engineered lighting does more than illuminate—it controls mood, improves workflow and significantly elevates the overall perception of space. In the best kitchen designs, lighting is not an afterthought but an architectural tool that defines how the kitchen functions and feels.

Advanced workflow engineering — beyond the traditional working triangle

While the working triangle remains a useful concept, modern lifestyles demand a more advanced approach to workflow planning in the interior design of kitchen. The classic model assumes a single user performing linear tasks, but today’s kitchens often host multiple users, multifunctional activities and integrated social spaces. To meet these needs, designers are shifting toward “work zones 2.0”—a system that distributes tasks across specialised micro-areas. Food preparation zones, cleaning stations, cooking areas, baking setups and coffee corners operate independently while maintaining a logical flow. This approach reduces bottlenecks and adapts better to dynamic cooking routines.

Modern workflow engineering also considers circulation paths. In open-plan kitchens, the island often acts as the central point around which movement naturally flows. When designed with proper clearances (ideally 110–120 cm on each side), multiple people can cook, prepare food or socialise without disrupting each other. Islands equipped with sinks, induction hobs or prep stations transform into versatile hubs that support simultaneous activities. For galley or narrow kitchens, a linear workflow is more effective: storage ➝ preparation ➝ cooking ➝ plating ➝ cleaning arranged in a straight, uninterrupted line reduces unnecessary movement and saves time.

Another key principle is appliance clustering. Items used together—oven and warming drawer, hob and spice pull-outs, sink and dishwasher—should form micro-ecosystems that support intuitive behaviour. This reduces cognitive load and enhances efficiency, especially in kitchens used daily for diverse tasks. Workflow engineering also addresses user height, reachability and safety. Strategic placement of heavy appliances, adjustable-height surfaces or retractable step solutions ensure that the kitchen works well for users of different ages and abilities.

Today’s best kitchen designs no longer rely on a single geometric rule. Instead, they leverage a deeper understanding of movement, behaviour and ergonomics. By analysing how cooking, preparing, storing and cleaning interact, a modern kitchen is shaped into a high-performance environment—efficient, calm and intuitive to use.

And if you liked this article, we invite you to read the interior design of apartments, where you will learn some tips and trick on how to design a kitchen in an apartment successfully.