Types of Kitchen Designs - Essay Example

KITCHEN DESIGNS by goes here] Presented to [your goes here] [your goes here] s [due of the paper] Kitchen Designs 1. Introduction A big and a beautiful kitchen is one of the basic requirements of a home. Women like the kitchen, which are built and designed very well. When designing a new house, homeowners have a great chance to build beautiful kitchens that they always wanted to have. They can explore kitchen design websites and can consult their ideas with the architects to build their desired kitchens. If we talk from functional aspect, we can say that kitchens serve three main purposes, which include preparation, cooking, and storage. However, some kitchens serve an additional purpose of dining. There are some types of kitchens, such as, contemporary style kitchens, in which a small dining table is placed inside a kitchen. All of these functions need special attention when designing a new kitchen for a house. In this paper, we will discuss some of the major kitchen designs in order to get an understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, uses, and other points related to them. 2. Types of Kitchen Designs “There are as many kitchen design styles today as there are kitchens, since designs may be eclectic or highly customized by combining different looks” (Cyprus n.d.). Some of the major kitchen designs include one-way gallery, two-way gallery, L-style, and U-style. All of these kitchens are different in their designs and appearance. The area covered by each of the kitchen designs also vary from each style to another style. Let us discuss all of these designs of kitchens in some detail. 2.1 One-Way Gallery or Single-File Kitchen A one-way kitchen is usually the smallest of all kitchens as far as area is concerned. However, it serves all of the three major functions of a kitchen, which include preparation, cooking, and storage. One of the main features of this kitchen design is that the major functions are set to function along a single wall. No other wall of the kitchen serves main functions of a kitchen. For example, the refrigerator, the stove or oven, and the sink are all placed at one side of the kitchen. There are usually some cabinets that are placed at the upper side of the wall. This is a good arrangement of a kitchen’s major functions if the area is small and one likes to have a beautiful kitchen even in that small area. Such kitchens are ideal for condominiums and small apartments where there is short space and minimal cooking. Even in single-family homes, such kitchens serve well for the residents. One-Way Kitchen Retrieved from http://www.indiamart.com/geniusinteriormarketing/modular-kitchens-suppliers.html 2.1.1 Advantages of One-Way Gallery Kitchens - One-way kitchens occupy less space. - They serve all major functions of a kitchen. - A person does not need to walk much within the kitchen. - Everything is in view while standing in one direction. 2.1.2 Disadvantages of One-Way Gallery Kitchens - Such kitchens are usually very small in area and it is for this reason that everything is placed on one side of the kitchen. - Due to less space, there is usually no more space in such kitchens to place additional things in the kitchen, such as, floor container and other such things. 2.2 Two-Way Gallery or Double-File Kitchen A two-way kitchen is usually bigger in area as compared to one-way kitchens. One of the main features of this kitchen design is that two walls perform the main functions of the kitchen. The elements of a kitchen are placed in two rows in a double-file kitchen (Jensen 2011). At one wall, there is a stove, a sink, and some cabinets whereas on the opposite side, there is a set of cabinets and a refrigerator. The setting of these things may change from kitchen to kitchen. For example, the setting can be in such a way that the sink and the cabinets are on one side of the kitchen and the stove and the refrigerator on the other side. This is a good arrangement of a kitchen’s major functions if the area is not so small and one likes to have a classical work kitchen in home. Such kitchens are also good for condominiums and small apartments where there is short space and minimal cooking. “Assuming the counter frontages are no more than 60” apart, everything will be in close proximity, ideal for a single user” (SEN Kitchens 2010). Two-Way Kitchen Retrieved from http://trade.indiamart.com/details.mp?offer=2416874897 2.2.1 Advantages of Two-Way Gallery Kitchens - They serve all major functions of a kitchen. - In such kitchens, there is a proper setting of kitchen’s major elements. - There is not much congestion of kitchen’s accessories and elements. 2.2.2 Disadvantages of Two-Way Gallery Kitchens - Such kitchens occupy more space than one-way kitchens - Due to less space, extra work needs to be done in order to fill the space, which also increases building costs. - There is more time required to set up such kitchens. 2.3 L-Shaped Kitchen It is a more common kitchen design as compared to one-way and two-way kitchens. Two walls, which are connected to each other in L shape, perform the main functions of the kitchen. At one wall, there is a stove, a sink, and some cabinets whereas on the connected side, there is a refrigerator along with a set of cabinets that are placed at the upper level of the wall. A dining table can also be placed in L-shaped kitchens. The area of this type of kitchen is bigger than that of a two-way kitchen. Such kitchens are ideal for medium sized homes. L-Shaped Kitchen Retrieved from http://kitchenideas.com.au/design_layout.html 2.3.1 Advantages of L-Shaped Kitchens - They are good-looking kitchens. - They can accommodate some more kitchen elements as compared to one-way kitchens. - One does not feel the kitchen overcrowded with kitchen accessories. 2.3.2 Disadvantages of L-Shaped Kitchens - They are somewhat expensive to build as compared to one-way kitchens because of extra size and space. - “Countertops occupy a large portion of your kitchen” (Anderson 2011). 2.4 U-Shaped Kitchen This the type of kitchen found in big houses. This type of kitchens has its elements on three sides. “U-shaped kitchens are suitable for rooms uninterrupted on three elevations” (Foley 2004). On one side, there is a stove along with a set of cabinets. On the opposite side, there is usually a long shelf and some cabinets. The sink is located usually at the base of the U. In some U-shaped kitchens, there is also a dining table place on the fourth side of the kitchen. Dining tables can also be placed in the middle of the kitchen but that depends on the size of the kitchen. U-shaped kitchens are getting more and more popular these days because of the beauty that it adds to the house. U-Shaped Kitchen Retrieved from http://zeointerior.com/designs/u-shaped-kitchen 2.4.1 Advantages of U-Shaped Kitchens - They are very beautiful kitchens and reveal aesthetic sense of the architect and homeowners. - “The user is surrounded on three sides keeping everything close at hand” (SEN Kitchens 2010). - They can accommodate almost all types of kitchen elements without giving a feel of an overcrowded kitchen. - One side of such kitchens is usually open which really looks nice. - The space is so large that some people go for false ceiling, which also adds to the beauty of such kitchens. - Every element of the kitchen is at a considerable distance from the other elements, which gives look of a large and spacious kitchen. 2.4.2 Disadvantages of U-Shaped Kitchens - Large space and big amount of money is required to build such kitchens. U-Shaped Kitchen Retrieved from http://www.iambossy.com/fambly/2007/08/30/thirteen-things-bossy%E2%80%99s-kitchen-has-in-common-with-award-winning-kitchen-design/ References Anderson, R 2011, Some Valuable Kitchen Renovation Ideas, viewed 08 January, 2012, . Cyprus, S n.d., What are Some Popular Kitchen Design Styles?, viewed 08 January, 2012, . Foley, T 2004, Preparing for Renovation, viewed 08 January, 2012, . Jensen, J 2011, The Dimensions of an Average Kitchen, viewed 08 January, 2012, . SEN Kitchens 2010, Kitchen Layout Types, viewed 08 January, 2012, . Read More