The 7 Kitchen Design Rules I’d Never Break
We ask a lot of our kitchens these days. Once upon a time, they were simply the place where food was cooked. Now, they have to do so much more: host a festive family feast, serve as a homework hub, withstand busy breakfasts, act as the centerpoint for a large house party – all while still functioning as the space where meals are prepared.
The role of the kitchen has changed enormously, yet many of us are still trying to shape modern kitchen ideas using old rules. As our latest Kitchens Issue highlights, kitchens are no longer just kitchens in the traditional sense – they now function as living rooms, dining rooms, party spaces, and even cocktail lounges.
Over my 26 years in homes, I’ve seen these changes firsthand. The kitchen is a completely different proposition today than it was in 1999. In addition to editing and running some of the world’s biggest home and interiors titles, I’ve advised hundreds of homeowners on their projects and carried out several of my own, with a fair share of kitchen design mistakes along the way. Here, then, are the key lessons I’ve learned for making a new kitchen truly work.
1. You Need a Second Kitchen
(Image credit: deVOL)
Back when kitchens did just one thing, designing them was relatively simple. But the challenge of combining all the modern-day functions – eating, drinking, partying, Zoom calls – with cooking is that, unless you’re the world’s tidiest cook, meal preparation can get messy. Put simply, it’s not much fun seeing a pile of used saucepans in the same space where you’re trying to entertain.
Another issue is that food preparation requires having all the ingredients on hand in the kitchen itself. And food storage is a notorious space-stealer – one that even the cleverest corner storage solutions can’t fully solve. Cereal boxes, cans, drinks, and bread take up huge amounts of space, putting immense pressure on the kitchen layout.
The result is that the first priority in kitchen design often revolves around the food. And of course – that’s essential – but in a modern kitchen, it can conflict with other needs. Practically speaking, it often means more wall units (more on that later) and less room for entertaining, eating, or even creating a stylish Zoom backdrop.
About a decade ago, two key trends emerged as clever solutions to this dilemma, both reimagining very traditional design features. In the luxury home market, second, back kitchens – formerly known as sculleries – began to make a comeback. These allow all food prep and cleanup to happen out of sight, keeping the main kitchen pristine and entertaining-ready. At the same time, the traditional pantry experienced a renaissance, becoming a highly organized, functional space to store everything from staples to snacks.
In other words, the first rule of the perfect modern kitchen is simple: remove the actual working elements from the main space. Problem solved.
2. The Kitchen Triangle Shouldn’t Be Your Main Priority
(Image credit: Paul Raeside / Future)
The kitchen triangle is one of the classic kitchen design rules: make sure the sink, hob, and refrigerator form a working triangle. This approach works brilliantly in a small kitchen, where maximizing efficiency is essential. But in a modern, larger kitchen, it shouldn’t take precedence over other priorities, like natural light, views, or open space.
For starters, it’s a little odd to treat these three elements as the cornerstone of fast, effective cooking. Not all ingredients come from the refrigerator, and the time saved by a few extra steps between hob and fridge is rarely the most important factor. Today, we use a more diverse range of appliances, so designing around a strict triangle can feel unnecessarily rigid.
Larger kitchens can still be highly functional – having a sink near a stovetop is undeniably practical – but in these spaces, everything is bigger: ranges are wide, ovens are often doubled, refrigerators are oversized, and sinks can be dual. In a kitchen of this scale, efficiency and compact convenience aren’t the primary design drivers. Instead, the focus should be on creating a space that flows, feels spacious, and supports the variety of ways we cook and live in a modern kitchen.
3. Kitchen Islands and Peninsulas Really Do Work
(Image credit: Anson Smart)
One classic kitchen cliché that truly lives up to its reputation is the kitchen island – and peninsulas, too. Simply put, if you want a kitchen that feels both open and thoughtfully zoned, while also offering a counter space for informal eating, the island delivers on all fronts.
In the modern kitchen, it has become an essential design element. I’ve never met an older homeowner whose kitchen experience wasn’t transformed by adding one. Islands become social hubs: leaning against them for casual chats, reading newspapers, enjoying juice, or simply acting as a focal point for cozy lighting.
A word of caution: you’ll need at least four feet of clear space between the island and other kitchen units; anything less and the layout will feel cramped. If a full island isn’t feasible, a peninsula (think ‘L’ shape) can still create a natural boundary between the working areas and the more social or fun zones of the kitchen.
Planning ahead is key. Consider electrics and plumbing if you intend to install hobs or sinks, but most homeowners prefer to keep the island dedicated to the lighter, social side of kitchen life – informal meals, conversation, and all the little joys that make a modern kitchen truly feel lived-in.
4. Avoid Wall Units – Unless Necessary
(Image credit: Laura Stephens)
We all want our kitchens to be spaces that are enjoyed – places to gather, to be lived in informally. That means some of the thinking in kitchen design has to focus on the ‘living’ aspect, not just function. Classic principles of interior design – natural light, flow, space planning, circulation, color, and decoration — should all play a role in creating a successful modern kitchen. After all, too much focus on function leaves little room for fun.
Walls allow a room to breathe. They can accommodate windows, wall lights, or art – or, if you prefer, simply glorious blank space. Because they sit at eye level, wall units in kitchens can feel particularly heavy and intrusive, so they should be used sparingly. Even leaving one wall free can make a huge difference, giving the space room to feel open and inviting.
A contemporary living kitchen needs to be designed like a living space as much as a kitchen. Consider how the walls contribute to the overall atmosphere, just as they would in a living room. While wall units help with storage, they can significantly hinder a kitchen’s ability to feel calm, enjoyable, and sociable – the very qualities that make a modern kitchen truly livable.
5. It Really Can’t Be Too Big
(Image credit: DeVol)
Of course, it’s easier said than done – but if you have any choice, and if you need to borrow space from other rooms for your kitchen, do it. Make the kitchen as big as you possibly can. Our current living kitchen is around 650 sq ft (plus a pantry and laundry room), and yet I still regret not effectively doubling the size when we remodeled a few years ago. It’s far from cramped, and it’s the largest kitchen we’ve ever had, but we ask so much more of it now. It’s used constantly for a variety of purposes – in some ways, it functions almost like a self-contained apartment (though, so far, no one has actually slept in there).
When designing a new kitchen, imagine you’re trying to combine a living space, dining room, and kitchen all in one. To achieve that, your kitchen needs to be roughly three times the size of the kitchen you likely grew up with. Only then will it accommodate all the cooking, entertaining, and day-to-day living you’ll want it to support.
6. Think About the Non-Visual Design Elements
(Image credit: Pooky)
The problem with a standard kitchen design is that it often focuses solely on the physical elements, overlooking the fact that successful interior design is multi-dimensional. Practically speaking, the best kitchens consider the non-visual elements as well – smell, light, and noise all play a critical role.
Kitchens can be noisy, so think carefully about where you place a television or other entertainment devices if you don’t want children complaining that they can’t hear while you’re washing dishes. Incorporating some element of physical separation can help zone the different functions effectively. One of the few complaints people often make about open modern kitchens is the challenge of having multiple activities happening at once – homework being done while saucepans clatter away. Some appliances have low decibel ratings, but more fundamentally, it’s worth considering how each part of the space will be used.
The same principle applies to odors. Kitchens are naturally fragrant, usually in a good way, but cooking smells can clash with a cozy evening spent reading or relaxing in an adjoining living space. A powerful extractor fan helps, but also think about easy-to-open windows rather than relying solely on doors to quickly refresh the air. Lighting presents yet another challenge in a multi-functional kitchen, both natural and artificial. Task lighting is essential for cooking, often positioned above work surfaces, but it can feel harsh during an intimate dinner if the same bright downlighters are still on.
Good kitchen lighting design is a skill in its own right – not always one that kitchen designers are experts in – so make it a priority. Consider how different activities will interact with light and plan accordingly to create a kitchen that is as functional as it is inviting.
7. Free Up Your Counters
(Image credit: Ledbury Studio)
Gosh, there are a lot of countertop kitchen appliances, aren’t there? Crockpots, air fryers, and electric kettles – they all have their place in the modern kitchen, but they can work against the enjoyment of the space as a living area. Put simply, it’s hard to relax or appreciate a refined aesthetic when all you see are your latest cooking gadgets. They create visual clutter, rarely look particularly beautiful, and take up precious counter space – space you’ve likely spent a small fortune on. Why cover it up?
It’s a mistake I’ve made myself a few times. I once kept my Thermomix on the counter, convinced the convenience outweighed the constant visual presence. In reality, it didn’t get used nearly as often as I imagined. I’ve since banished it – along with the slow cooker – to a spare cupboard. The result? Counters that feel neater, calmer, and much more inviting.
The takeaway: plan for clear counters wherever possible. Keeping surfaces open not only makes the kitchen feel more spacious, but it also allows the room to function as a living space as well as a cooking space.
A modern kitchen is about more than rules – it’s a space that balances function, style, and everyday living. Thoughtful details, from islands to clear counters and well-planned zones, make the room feel calm, inviting, and adaptable. The best kitchens support everything you do, while also becoming the heart of the home.
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