I was raised in a triangle kitchen layout - sink, stove/oven, fridge on separate walls but ergonomically workable, plus a toaster and kettle on the bench.
By my second home. the dishwasher, microwave, separate freezer and pantry were added, along with massive pot storage, 8 powerpoints and a large 4 seater benchtop that I love.
Now there is the airfryer, lots of coffee paraphranalia, and Butlers pantry.
I am beginning to look at a kitchen upgrade, and, for example, seeing the butlers pantry as a new junk room.
What are your thoughts about the best layouts and solutions that minimise costs.
What Is Your Ideal Kitchen Layout?
Clickbait on 08/05/2025 - 15:34
Comments
What I would do for a pantry with a roll-out rack system so I can easily get to everything and keep it in order.
Same here.
That's what I thought, but I was told they didn't have enough weight capacity to be useful.
It was only an opinion from a friend, but enough to do a lot more research before I would commit.Yeah not sure either, you might need shelves with an individual rack for each shelf and you'd want one that's screwed in.
My favourite existing upgrade is a $10 stick on paper towel dispenser above my bench, attached to the cupboards above. Means I can grab a piece of towel one handed and the roll doesn't get dirty sitting on the bench.
My favourite was a bunch of little spice holders, screwed into the back of the pantry doors.
Paper towels still on the bench. It might sound ridiculous but I don't have a place to put them@Clickbait: Yeah I need something like that my spice organisation at the moment is farked.
Get the paper towel holder man, swear to god it's improved my cooking QOL so much - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BJ16SXMN?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_co…
The other thing I want is the Kitchen Stickin, which is a masking tape dispensing fridge magnet that holds a sharpie. Doesn't ship to Australia but there's a couple of 3D printer templates floating around just need to get someone to print one for me.
a $10 stick on paper towel dispense
$20 now after 5% off. How long ago did you buy? Inflation is hitting hard.
How many paper towels do you use? In a normal week I'm not sure I use any - unless the cats vomit somewhere. But not for cooking outside of the odd spill of oil or something.
@dtc: I use them a lot when I'm prepping meat, which is why it's nice to be able to grab them one handed. Between that, using them to clean and oil my flat top griddle and for when we're eating with our hands we probably go through about a roll a fortnight.
My current is U shape
1. microwave above pots, stove/oven unit. Air fryer
2. sink, kettle, toaster , and radio on shelf.
3. bench , dishwasher. sandwich toastery things hide underneath until needed
4. opposite U - Pantry, fridge, freezerI don't have any electonic stuff built in. Ipad or similar for the occasional recipe.
Is there any real need for more?
everyone uses the kitchen differently. so layout would be different for different families/ people.
but if i had money…
i would ask my live in butler and chef,. they would be the ones doing the cooking and cleaning.
Go check out display homes and see what flow you like
Huge spaces and max appliances
What Is Your Ideal Kitchen Layout?
One that wife/gf, whoever wants.
Yeah, I am trying to work the fifference between wants and needs
Wish you all the best!
🤣
What Is Your Ideal Kitchen Layout?
Air fryer —> Paper plate —> Fork —> Bin
Did you put a budgie in your microwave and lose your microwave licence?
Just think
Frozen meal => microwave => no plate => tip built in plate towards mouth to let food slide in => no fork => bin
Use air fryer one time => need to wash.
Use microwave until someone else cleans it out => never need to wash.
Even better: bar fridge in lounge room beside lounge chair in front of tv. => microwave on top of bar fridge. => sit down, get beer, put meal in microwave => good to go.
Enough bench space for 30 gadgets and appliances.
What Is Your Ideal Kitchen Layout?
A Dodecahedron.
We went back to an eat in kitchen. No island, no WIP.
Room is approx 3m x 4m x 4m of usuable wall space.
From left to right:
Oven/induction/rangehood (leftside)
Bin, double sink with drainer, dishwasher, then banks of drawers (the front wall)
Return bench is a little coffee station with kettle, coffee pod machine, banks of drawers. Then microwave (in cupboard), pantry (4 pull out drawers), fridge (right side)Ceilings are 2.7m
If it doesn't fit in this kitchen, it goes to Vinnies
Large pantry - walk in preferably. Or even two pantry cupboards. Can never have too much pantry space.
At least one bench that has a lot of unbroken space (rather than 3 smaller spaces, for example). The big space is for cooking, then you can slot the toaster, coffee machine, air fryer etc on the smaller spaces.
You dont really need the fridge to be 'right there' as generally you take out what you need beforehand, and if you forget then a few steps is ok. However the stove / cooktop being near the sink is always useful. Have a double or 1.5 sink
Like the above my kitchen is a diamond shape - stove with fridge to the left, sink to the right and pantry behind. However I think having clear prep space next to (or immediately behind) the cooktop is the most important layout choice. You will haul hot pots over to the sink to drain, so sink near the cooktop. Microwave near a benchtop for when you pull out that plate that is way too hot. The rest - fridge, pantry and bin locations are nice but whatever, its not that much of an issue
Butlers pantrys are a stupid idea and a waste of space. However, having as much storage as you can is never wasted so nothing wrong with having a room with some extra cupboards that might also include the generally unused kitchen items, like maybe the juicer or 'special' plates or whatever. But use the room for something useful, not to hide away excess kitchen items or to pretend you dont have a working kitchen.
Butlers pantrys are a stupid idea and a waste of space.
Totally agree, wasfe of space plus you end up with 'two kitchens' separated by a walk. I kinda get that you might want to hide your prep space, but you wind up prepping in a half kitchen, or moving stuff back and forth. Or putting your toaster 'away' and have to go into the butlers pantry to get stuff you use all the time because its tidier.
If yoy don't want your kitchen on display, build it like the good old days with the whole kitchen in. Separate room and a little window to the dining room.
butlers pantry will soon become one of those fad rooms that no one uses anymore
it will just be a stuff clutter room
why hide when cooking, especially if you are entertaining, you want to face people. If you have room for a butlers pantry, make your on show kitchen bigger
My laundry comes straight off the kitchen and that's where I keep the most used gadgets - air fryer, Vitamix, toaster, coffee grinder, etc - all along the bench. The kitchen is then uncluttered and all useful work and socializing remains there. Can close the door on the junk if wanted but it's sorta hidden behind a corner anyway so not generally required. My design was due to other constraints rather then being well thought out but it's ended up being a blessing.
Now I can see a small "butler's pantry" to house those ugly appliances or the ones geting occasional use, maybe a drinks fridge or deep freezer, as handy. Also handy for keeping semi-prepped items when entertaining. In my case we don't really use the laundry counter for laundry / cleaning (can't imagine a more boring place to iron than in the laundry) so it serves that job well and means the laundry is actually well utilized. When / if I build again I will most definitely consider a combined butler's pantry / utility room / laundry adjoining the kitchen.
People (read: designers) misunderstand Butler Pantries. I grew up with a legit old school one and have essentially put one back into my house now.
- Really, they're more serveries or cutlery/setting storage.
- Ideally, they're located between the kitchen and the dining with dual access.
- Our old one had access to the cellar
- My new one will have cupboards, displays, benchtop, hanging for meat, wine storage.
- I have 3 large antique dinner settings that need correct storage. That's after downsizing 😏
The whole 'second kitchen' so my main kitchen looks like a showroom thing is just bad design. Total waste.
Thats great.
I sort of like the idea of putting a sink and the dishwasher in there with the settings and cutlery.
But leave a sink in the kitchen because meal prep has become more of the culture these days?
Any thoughts on a coffee bar away from the kitchen but doesn't look like a shop?@Clickbait: Personally, I believe kitchens are functional, private spaces - theyre work horses not show ponies. So as long as it's able to perform and do it efficiently and safely, then to hell with visitors.
As for coffee, because of our layout, we designated our little return (maybe 1-1.2m worth) as the breakfast bench. Coffee, kettle, toaster (when it's out) all go there. If I could be stuffed investing in an actual coffee machine, it would live there - coffee machines need to breathe.
Family member who has a cafe level machine has similar - little bar like bench on wall opposite the U - the machine and all the paraphernalia lives there.
I dont know if the link will work but…
https://www.instagram.com/p/DHxJ3npzd7R/?igsh=MWgyNWkzM3B3Y3…
That's an interesting perspective- volume builders like metricon have popularised the kitcsocalled butler's pantry, and they've become just a second fancy room that hardly gets seen, but often where the real kitchen work gets done.
Have you got images of the kind of spaces you are planning?@Nickels n Dimes: Still a brain fart in progress as Im used to 1900s old timey ones but our place is 1950s (not that they didnt have them - spotted an old school office/sewing room in a place the other day).
Cupboards in this place are my style - obviously not the space
https://www.instagram.com/p/CapILKeOs_V/?igsh=cWZiZmY1dmpnZD…
These are some ideas for hiding a wine fridge (tossing up between that and just racks)
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3sVDDjOmNe/?img_index=4&igsh=MX…
This one they're labelljng China Closet. Rather obvious
https://www.instagram.com/p/CG5F1SKnxS4/?igsh=MWFmMGt2M3h4Yn…
More traditional version
https://www.instagram.com/p/CjLJd0DOyb-/?igsh=M2d4bWs0d21kc2…
You get the idea 👍
And the mid century place that has an original sewing room/office. Getting rare now. Spot them in country houses and big fancy places. Could easily be a cutlery/China store (but they do tend to die out by WW2)
7 Riley Street, Lobethal, SA 5241 https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-sa-lobethal-147…
phone -> uber eats -> front door -> couch -> bin
flat on my back on a chaise-lounge giving orders
You should be horizontal now
On the chaise longue, on the chaise longue
On the chaise longue, all day long, on thе chaise longue
On the chaisе longue, on the chaise longue
On the chaise longue, all day long, on the chaise longue
.
Circle
My ideal kitchen layout is: any huge rich person's kitchen built by a high-end builder and master cabinet maker. Unfortunately I'll never have that. Currently got a tiny 1980s kitchen with orange laminate bench top, no dishwasher, no space for microwave, tiny sink.
Who cares what the layout is, just needs to not be too small.
Keep the sink out of the kitchen island. Looks good in a showroom but doesn't work in practice if you are planning on having meals around the island. No one wants to eat a meal with dirty pots and pans right next to them.
Right on with that. But I stil can't understand why the TV reno shows promoted it.
Off topic here but what was their thing about showers without doors??
Deep benches.
Wide enough to store your small appliances at back of bench leaving bench space in front free to use.
As you want your appliances, pull forward on bench, then push back when finished.
Have power points near each appliance.
If you like the uncluttered look, I actually have my appliances hidden behind bench top cupboard sort of things with roller doors at front.
Lift up roller door, pull out required appliance to front of bench, return appliance to little cupboard once clean, roll down door.
If island benches are a thing, install power points that extend down from roof and/or install power points on sides of bench so you have somewhere to plug in any appliances you may want to use whilst working on that bench.
For the open kitchen where people sit at that bench which is a divider between kitchen and other room, I see a lot of people put their sinks there and their cook top against the wall behind.
I swap mine around. I put cook top on that dividing bench and sink out of the way on back bench/inside butler pantry.
If I am entertaining guests and I'm still cooking/preparing food when they arrive/throughout the meal, I don't want to be hidden away, looking at a wall with my back to everyone. Similarly, when clearing dishes at end of meal, I want those dishes hidden away on a back bench out of the way, I don't want them sitting there with everybody looking at the mess, especially if they're sitting at that counter.
How wide is your bench, or how long is your bench space. I wouls still be culling the optionals. I like hedor thing but I am in the 600 width dept, so need new thinking. The "mess" part adds some utility rto trhe Butler pantry concept
Also a fan of quite deep sinks and big enough to be able to fit pots and other big stuff in you might want to wash.
Include one of those tall taps where Spouty bit is at end of long flexible hose that you can pull out/move around to get access to every crevice of whatever you're washing.
I also have those flexible taps/spouts near cooktops to make it easy to fill up larger pots on the stove.
People tend to overlook the significance of their rubbish bins. Too often shoved in under bench hard to reach cupboards etc. cupboard gets grotty every time you have to open the door and inconvenient to clean any spillage.
Create bin space wherever it is easy to access (seen people with no dishwashers in dishwasher space put it there lol).
Sure, store bin behind a cupboard door/out of way when not in use for a while, but create a space in your kitchen where bin can be placed in easy reach without hindrance of lids or cupboard doors whilst you are doing serious meal preparation.
Just drag it out into space where you don't have to walk over/around whilst in use, then return to your hidey space when finished.
If you can fit this in general kitchen layout (or in dishwasher space) where bin is always on display, those stainless steel bins used for outdoors before we got wheelie bins, placed on little plant holder platform thingy things with wheels are good.
Look good, match other stainless steel appliances & easy to move around etc.
Another cheap space saver for corner cupboards is lazy Susan spinny circle things inside to make it easier to reach the stuff at the back.
Not much help really for "affordable" kitchen. I built my dream kitchen including commercial standards to comply with food safety health requirements cos I entertain a lot, can cater for lots of people and often prepare food for distribution to others outside my family.
"flexible taps/spouts near cooktops to make it easy to fill up larger pots on the stove." That's seriously genious.
My bin siits in the little used doorway to dining. i's big and shiny, but I doubt I will ever come to terms with a garbage cupboard. Bins should be a feature, a statement
funny story. A friend put in a 24HR hot water tapso he coould make coffee all day. Then he got his first electric bill.
No interest in Lazy Susans unless they have Chinese on them. Would slidin trays work?
thanks
for your thoughts
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/895335
This post includes pictures of my kitchen layout.
The kitchen benches with extra depth are a brilliant concept, just pull forward as needed. You want the pantry close to the stove and prep area. The portable island works well so you can position how it works best for you when prepping. Having the storage underneath for overflow appliances, fry pans, woks etc works well.
It is a far far better thing you have done than I could ever do. Thanks that will keep me up for a couple of nights
How is Pullforward with loads?
What about cutlery drawers, the notorious second drawer, and pot storage which has never been big enough for me. Is overhead hanging just a statement
Our kitchen is based on a diamond shape
1 point sink, opposite oven\stove, left side pantry, right side fridge.