Functional layouts for your kitchen

The key to a great, workable kitchen is utilising the space you have to give you maximum workbench, storage and circulation space.

The kitchen layout is the shape that is made by the arrangement of the benchtop, major appliances and storage areas. It’s worth being meticulous, so measure the area you have to work with, draw the space to scale using gridded paper and sketch out the five fundamental layouts for most kitchens – the G, U, L, single and galley.

Look at how the different layouts affect functionality and provide you with optimal use of space – it should become quite obvious which layout will work the best! Kitchens are the hardest room in a house to design, so if you are having trouble don’t hesitate to ask one of the in-store designers for some expert advice and help.

If you're taking out your old kitchen to renovate the space and install a new kitchen, this is the time to rip off your old plasterboard and install new wiring, pipe work and insulation.

When moving a sink to a new location in the room you will need a building permit, best to talk to your local council to get advice before starting. If you are swapping out a sink with a sink that is in the same position you will not need a building permit.

Once plasterboard is all removed it is imperative that a bit of time is set aside for straightening the studs and nogs to ensure a straight and flat wall finish.

For walls that are considerably wobbly it’s a good idea to use 13mm plasterboard to iron out a few wrinkles.