How to Design a Functional Kitchen

modern kitchen cabinets

The kitchen is the heart of any home, where families come together to share meals and stories. It’s also one of the most-used spaces, which makes functionality essential. In fact, improving functionality is one of the main reasons people choose to renovate their kitchens. A well-designed kitchen isn’t just about looks; it’s about creating a space that works seamlessly with your household’s daily routines.

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, now’s the time to assess the practical elements of your kitchen design. A great kitchen needs both style and function—one without the other simply won’t do. In a previous post, I outlined how to design a functional kitchen layout, so today, we’ll focus on other key elements that truly make an impact.

Having recently renovated my own kitchen, I can say firsthand that functionality was my top priority. Here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we specialise in kitchen cabinets and kitchen design, so I knew what to consider, but hours of research helped me discover new insights. Today, I’m sharing what I learned to help you create a kitchen that’s not only beautiful but built for everyday living.

Key Takeaways

  • Functional kitchen design should prioritise both aesthetics and usability, ensuring appliances and cabinetry cater to household needs.
  • Customising drawers with features like in-drawer charging stations or spice rack inserts can maximise storage and reduce clutter.
  • Incorporating high-tech appliances and smart storage solutions, such as Wi-Fi-connected devices and integrated charging, enhances kitchen functionality.
  • Maximising space by utilising every inch, like adding a drawer above the oven, increases efficiency and avoids wasted areas.
  • Adequate storage and lighting, both natural and artificial, are essential for a practical and welcoming kitchen.

A Drawer Is Not Just a Drawer

Ok, so maybe a drawer is just a drawer, but when designing a functional kitchen, you have the opportunity to make a drawer whatever you like!

Gone are the days where a drawer was only used to hold cutlery and utensils. Today the sky’s the limit. With a magnitude of accessories, you can turn your draw into a super handy storage space for just about anything.

The two images below really got my attention when I was designing my kitchen—both are available from Hafele Australia and are suitable for Ross’s Discount Home Centre’s drawer base cupboards.

Hafele Australia

How ingenious is this in-drawer charging station! Nothing looks messier than cords and electrical devices laying across the kitchen bench charging. With the simple addition of a USB power switch, you can create a very handy (and uber-modern) in-drawer charging station that will keep all your devices charging while being out of sight.

Spice rack drawer insert
Photo: RYAN KRULL

This spice rack insert is a must-have feature for any cooking enthusiast. Never again will you have to search through your spices to find the right spice. Nor will you have to worry about finding a suitable spice rack to fit your growing collection. Today, you can buy spice rack drawer inserts to fit any cabinetry, including the drawer base cupboards here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre.

High-Tech Features for a Functional Kitchen

When designing a functional kitchen, it’s all about making your space work harder for you—and technology is playing an increasingly important role in that. According to the Houzz 2022/23 Kitchen Trends Study, many homeowners are upgrading to appliances with high-tech features like Wi-Fi connectivity (13%), smartphone or tablet controls (13%), and even built-in apps that offer recipes and cooking tips (8%). Some are also embracing more innovative options, like voice-activated controls (3%) and smart home integration (9%). While these features primarily relate to appliances, they highlight a growing trend towards smarter, more convenient kitchen designs that make everyday tasks easier.

These high-tech trends can inspire more than just your choice of appliances. Why not bring a touch of modernity into your storage solutions too? Whether it’s a USB charging station inside a drawer or other clever integrations, creating a functional kitchen is all about making the space work for you—efficiently and stylishly.

Make the Most of Your Space

To make a kitchen more functional, maximising every inch of space is key. Adequate storage is a fundamental part of any kitchen design, so it’s essential to avoid creating unused areas that don’t serve a purpose. Make every corner and surface count.

A great example from my own kitchen is the extra drawer I added above the oven. My 900mm built-in oven left a small gap above it. Instead of blocking it off with a filler panel, I turned that space into a handy drawer for utensils. Small adjustments like this can make a big difference in the functionality of your kitchen.

Come in and speak to our kitchen design specialist to make sure your kitchen layout works hard for you, maximizing storage and usability in every possible way!

Planned Storage

When designing a functional kitchen, one thing to avoid is reducing your storage space. It’s easy to underestimate just how many small appliances, cookware, and dinnerware sets we accumulate—and how much space they take up! Unless you’re planning a major clear-out, make sure your new kitchen offers as much storage as your current setup, if not more.

I almost fell into this trap myself! Despite wanting more storage, my new, open-plan kitchen actually has fewer walls, which limited my options for base and wall cabinets. To arrange kitchen cabinets for optimal functionality, I maximised my pantry storage. I dedicated an entire wall to pantry cabinets from Ross’s Discount Home Centre, giving me plenty of room to keep all my kitchen essentials neatly out of sight.

Before you start your renovation, take an inventory of everything in your kitchen. This will help you ensure that your new kitchen design can accommodate it all. Our 3D kitchen planner is a fantastic tool for this—it lets you visualise your kitchen layout and plan where everything will be stored, so nothing gets overlooked.

Light and Bright

Designing a functional kitchen goes beyond storage and layout—it’s also about creating a well-lit space where you can work comfortably and make the kitchen a true focal point of your home. Good lighting, both natural and artificial, is essential. You need to see what you’re doing, whether it’s chopping vegetables or reading a recipe.

Adding a skylight, for instance, can make a big difference, especially in kitchens without windows. I did this in my own kitchen, and the transformation was incredible. The natural light from the skylight not only brightened up the room but also made the space feel more open and inviting.

For artificial lighting, consider options like under-cabinet LED strips, which are both practical and popular. Feature lights over island benches can also add a stylish touch while improving visibility in key areas. When it comes to lighting, more is usually better. Assess your space and consult with your kitchen designer or electrician if you’re unsure—good lighting is one investment that pays off every time you step into your kitchen.

Conclusion

There are many ways to design a functional kitchen beyond the kitchen layout. While a functional layout is essential; it isn’t the only consideration. To create a kitchen that is both modern and highly functional, consider modern drawer accessories, maximise your space, so it works for you, ensure you have the same amount or more storage than before, and make sure it is as bright as can be!

If you need help designing your new kitchen, come in and speak with our kitchen sales team at Ross’s Discount Home Centre. We can supply you with the foundations for your functional kitchen in our quality kitchen cabinet range.