Builders & Renovations FAQs

Using Zoning to Create an Efficient Modern Kitchen

Whether you are designing a new home or renovating your old kitchen it is essential to consider efficiency. Gone are the days when the kitchen was purely a place of cooking. With open-plan homes making your kitchen a centre of entertaining it is imperative that your kitchen is both elegant and efficient. To meet these new expectations more and more designers and builders are moving away from three-zone “golden triangle” kitchens in favour of modern 5 zone kitchens.

But what were three-zone kitchens? And why are they falling out of favour?

Three-zone kitchens have been the backbone of kitchen design since the 1940s. Being split up into three main appliances:

1. Stove,
2. Fridge and,
3. Sink.

The problem with designing your kitchen around these three main appliances is that it can lead to inefficiencies when there are other people in the kitchen it also makes it easy for the kitchen to become unorganised; Leading to either increased time looking for these items or excess travel through the kitchen slowing down your kitchen. 

So, how does a 5-zone Kitchen improve on this thinking?

Well firstly there are 5 instead of three zones and these zones are no longer based around appliances but the tasks or collection of things an area is used for. This design style breaks the kitchen up into zones for:

1. Cooking: The cooking zone is made up of a stove, oven, microwave and any other cooking appliances.
2. Cleaning: This is made up of your bin, sink, dishwasher, and any other cleaning products or utensils. When designing an efficient cleaning zone it is important to go from dirty to clean (Bin, sink, dishwasher and/or drying rack).
3. Consumables: This is made up of your fridge and any other food storage such as a pantry or drinks cupboard/fridge. When designing this section it is a good idea to put more commonly used items in the middle of cupboards where they are better reached with less used items in top and bottom shelves.
4. Non-Consumables: Includes plates, glasses, other crockery, pots, pans, trays, and other dishes.
5. Preparation: This can be an island bench or another area of clear bench space in your kitchen used for the preparation of your cooking. These areas can also be used as somewhere to put shopping.

These zones allow you to clearly define the positions of items, improve the flow and better allow for multiple people to operate in your kitchen.

However, these zones can still be inefficient when incorrectly laid out.

Laying out a 5-zone kitchen

When a five-zone kitchen is laid out properly it allows for an efficient flow when cooking from the collection of ingredients to dishing up and cleaning up after your meal.

So where should each zone go?

While it depends on the space and shape of your kitchen there are some tips to consider when deciding on your layout.

• Cooking: should be placed next to or near your prep space and cleaning zone. This minimises the travel with prepped ingredients and hot plates (when dishing up and when cleaning).
• Cleaning: should be placed next to your cooking space with the bin on that side allowing for scraps to be easily disposed of and the dishwasher on the other side. The dishwasher and drying rack should be next to your non-consumables zone minimising walking to and from your dishwasher when unstacking it.
• Preparation: should be next to your cooking and consumable zones minimising your travel distance when collecting ingredients and cooking.
• Consumables: should have clear bench space near it for putting shopping on when unpacking it (this space can be your prep space). The consumables cupboard should also be next to the cooking spaces.
• Non-Consumables: Lastly non-consumables should be placed next to your cleaning zone however cooking non-consumables such as pots and pans can be placed next to cooking areas to make them more accessible when cooking.

Five-zone kitchens are rapidly becoming the future of kitchen design combining efficiency and elegancy to create kitchens that make cooking and entertaining a breeze.

For further help contact our expert team to make your dream home a reality.

Refrences:

Pro Panel: The 3-zone Kitchen is Over... Meet the 5-Zone Kitchen | Houzz

Darren Palmer's 5 Modern Kitchen Design Ideas | Homes to Love