Make Each Zone Your Own – Cucina di Lusso Parte Uno

Times have changed, lifestyles have changed, and thus our kitchen layouts have evolved as well. These days you want to be “in the zone.” Kitchen trend watchers tell us that the zone or workstation approach builds on the “classic work triangle concept,” which positions stove, sink and refrigerator in a triangle pattern.

Taking the triangle several steps farther, zone design takes into consideration all the new appliances and devices that are now available for your luxury kitchen. And, of equal importance, zone design focuses on the way we use our kitchens.

                      Today, kitchen space is divided into work zones or activity stations.

The Big Three

For most of us, the key kitchen work zones are going to be food preparation, cooking and clean-up. But you neighbor’s ideal prep or cooking station won’t be the same as yours and vice versa. Here are a few of the must haves and extras people include in their luxury kitchens:

Prep Zone – dedicated area for preparing ingredients – chopping, mixing, etc.

• Separate sink where you can rinse fruits and vegetables.
• Refrigerator drawer for milk, eggs and other ingredients you use frequently.  
• Pullout butcher block and pullouts (or available surfaces) for such tasks as mixing, measuring, serving.
• Drawer for knives and other prep tools.
• Handy, rollaway integrated trash/recycling center

Cooking Zone – cooktop, range, microwave oven, toaster oven, etc.

Think about how and what you cook, and what you need near to support your culinary efforts.

• Deep drawers for pots and pans and shallower drawer for the lids.
• Spice drawers or pullouts for your favorite herbs and spices.
• Cabinet or “garage” to keep small appliances off the counter.
• Drawer for spatulas, spoons and other cooking utensils.

Cleaning Zone – sink, main water supply, dishwasher

• Pullout rack for dishtowels.
• Undersink pullout for dishwashing detergent and storage for sponges and scrubbers.
• Drawers or pullouts for wrapping and storage supplies - aluminum foil, paper, plastic wrap storage and Tupperware.

Remember to keep appliances and tools that need water in this area – coffee maker, salad spinner.

What else should you plan for? Get some great ideas for all your zones in the Extraordinary Accessories section of this website.