10 Tips for Practical Kitchen Design
Overwhelmed by kitchen design ideas? Not sure where to start?
A great kitchen isn’t just about looks—it’s about workflow, storage, and functionality. In this guide, we’ll show you 10 expert-backed design tips to help you create a kitchen that’s both stunning and practical.
Beaconsfield Hillside Home
Start Here:
The Basics of Functional Kitchen Design
Determine your needs: Think about how you use your kitchen and what you need it to do for you. Do you love to cook elaborate meals and need plenty of counter space and storage? Do you prefer to eat on the go and just need a place to store and prepare food? These factors will help you determine what layout, appliances, and storage solutions will work best for you.
1. Kitchen Layouts: How to Choose the Best One for Your Home -
The layout of your kitchen is a crucial element that can make or break the functionality of the space. A common layout is the "work triangle," which consists of the refrigerator, stove, and sink.
The 3 Most Common Kitchen Workflows
Cooking Zone: Sink, stove, and fridge should be positioned for easy access.
Clean-Up Zone: Bin, sink, and dishwasher should be in a logical sequence.
Reset Zone: Dishwasher, cutlery, and crockery should be easily accessible.
A well-planned layout ensures efficiency and ease of movement during the cooking and clean-up.
These three elements should be arranged in a way that makes it easy to move between them while cooking. Other popular layouts include the galley kitchen, L-shaped kitchen, and U-shaped kitchen. Consider which layout will work best for your needs and space - but also your preferred workflow.
E.g. If you like to scrape the dishes, rinse the dishes, then stack the dishwasher? Then your bench should probably have the bin drawers, sink, and dishwasher next to each other and in that order.
Keep reading to hear more about kitchen island design!
2. Understanding Appliances for a Fit-For-Purpose Kitchen
Appliances are an essential part of any kitchen, and there are many options to choose from. Decide on your budget and consider what appliances you need and use most often. The appliances you use most often are the ones we recommend investing in the most.
We always recommend our clients go into the local stores to get a full understanding of the features, benefits, and price points of appliances from trained product representatives.
Selecting energy-efficient, high-performance appliances adds value to your kitchen and ensures reliability, efficiency, and convenience in your day-to-day cooking.
3. Cabinets, Countertops & Finishes: Style Meets Function
Cabinetry and countertops are two key elements that will set the tone for your kitchen. There are many options to choose from, including wood, metal, glass, and laminate. Consider the style and functionality of your kitchen and choose materials that will complement your design. Reflect on if you’re the kind of person who will be frustrated by smudges on doors or tiny finger pull handles.
High-quality countertops, splashbacks, and flooring that are resistant to wear and tear ensure your kitchen remains functional and attractive for years to come.
4. The Perfect Finishing Touches: Hardware and Storage
Once you have the major elements in place, it's time to add the finishing touches. Choosing gorgeous handles (or no handles), practical cupboard inserts, handy cutlery trays, and space saving spice racks will make your life and your kitchen that much more useable. These elements help to bring the design together and create a cohesive look.
Designing a kitchen can be a fun and exciting process, and with some careful planning and consideration, you can create a space that is functional and beautiful. Remember to keep your needs and style in mind and have fun with the process!
Want a kitchen tailored to your space and lifestyle?
Check out our Home Masterplan Report for expert guidance before you build.
10 tips to help you design a practical kitchen
1. Drawers - I cannot emphasise enough how much more useable a drawer is for pots, pans, plates, bowls, platters. If you like the look of cupboards put the drawers inside them if you like.
2. Drawer inserts - For the first time in years transformed my utensils drawer from chaos to calm - make sure the inserts are adjustable so you can fit different sized items in there.
3. Bin drawer - Pop that bad boy right next to your sink and under your prep space. Make sure it's a double bin so you have recycling covered too. The one I have has a little shelf/lid above the bin which is perfect for storing dishwasher tablets and spare bin liners.
4. Dishwasher - We're a 2-person household so I went with a Fisher & Paykel Double Dishdrawer. It means there is never an excuse to have dirty dishes lying around because there's always a drawer that's clean. If you've got a big household consider your usage - also I find the large Dishdrawer is much more effective at cleaning and fitting dishes.
5. Induction cooktop - This was a gamble and I won. I'd never used induction before, had grown up in a 'gas is best' household, but wanted a fossil-fuel-free house. It's amazing. It heats fast, is responsive to changing temperatures, and is 1000% easier to clean than gas cooktops. If I desperately want to chargrill something there's always the barbeque (which is gas but nobody is perfect!).
6. Breakfast bar - It’s handy, it’s on-trend, and it gives you a great reason to buy some gorgeous stools. Make sure the overhang is 300mm (max achievable with Caesarstone) so you're not banging your knees.
7. Pull out tap - makes rinsing out pots or the sink SO much easier.
8. Undermount sink - they're just so much neater visually and you never have to worry about crumbs being pushed under the lip like you would on a surface mount. Add in a drop on strainer or get the strainer carved into your benchtop for pure perfection.
9. Lighting - I have a strip pendant over the island bench and an led strip at the back of the overhead cupboards above the stove. Perfect.
10. Outside access - A door directly outside makes BBQs, outdoor dining and herb gardens all so much simpler!
Bungalow Reborn Pascoe Vale, Green Kitchen
Richmond Terrace, White Kitchen
Seed House, White Kitchen
Seed House, Kitchen Storage
Richmond Terrace, Kitchen Storage
Beaconsfield Hillside Home
Choosing the Right Kitchen Island for Your Lifestyle
A well-designed kitchen island can transform your space, but it needs to match how you cook, clean, and entertain. Whether you prefer a clear, open island for hosting, a cooktop for efficiency, or a sink for accessibility, choosing the right design can enhance both functionality and low-maintenance living.
1. Clear Kitchen Islands: Perfect for Entertainers
For those who love hosting, an open island without a sink or cooktop maximises prep space and creates an ideal serving area. This setup keeps the kitchen feeling spacious and streamlined.
👉 Example: In our Beaconsfield Hillside Home, a U-shaped kitchen with a detached island allows the main sink to be outside the immediate cooking zone, keeping the island clutter-free. A second sink in the butler’s pantry hides dinner party mess and stacks drying Tupperware—perfect for an acreage home, though not always feasible in compact inner-city kitchens.
2. Cooktop in the Island: A Rare but Functional Choice
A cooktop in the island allows for an interactive cooking experience, keeping the cook connected to family or guests. However, it’s the least common request we receive due to practical considerations:
✅ Best for: Serious home cooks who want to multitask while preparing meals
⚠️ Things to consider:
Oil splatter risk: Depending on the cooking style, food residue can travel beyond the cooking zone.
Safety concerns: If children sit at the breakfast bar opposite, the island depth and burner placement need to be carefully planned.
Ventilation: A downdraft range hood or overhead extraction is essential.
3. Sink in the Island: Practical for Social Cooks
A main sink in the island is great for those who enjoy chatting while washing up. In medium-sized kitchens, a small secondary sink can be included for meal prep and drinking water.
✅ Best for: Those who want easy water access without disrupting the cooking zone
⚠️ Things to consider:
Splash concerns: Choosing the right sink depth and tap design helps control water splatter.
Drying clutter: Families who frequently air-dry plastic containers may benefit from a double sink with a drying rack insert to keep the benchtop tidy.
Beaconsfield Hillside Home
Design for How You Live
The right kitchen island depends on your cooking habits, entertaining style, and space constraints. Whether you want a clear island for entertaining, a cooktop for efficiency, or a sink for accessibility, making an intentional choice will lead to a kitchen that is both stylish and easy to maintain.
Ready to Build? Get Expert Guidance First.
Avoid budget surprises and design regrets. In a free 20-min Clarity Call, we’ll discuss your vision, budget, and next steps—so you can move forward with confidence.
