WHAT IS KITCHEN?

A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking and food

preparation in a dwelling or in a commercial establishment. In the
West, a modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with a stove,
a sink with hot and cold running water, a refrigerator, counters and
kitchen cabinets arranged according to a modular design. Many
households have a microwave oven, a dishwasher and other electric
appliances. The main function of a kitchen is serving as a location for
storing, cooking and preparing food (and doing related tasks such
as dishwashing), but it may also be used for dining, entertaining
and laundry.
Commercial kitchens are found in restaurants, cafeterias,
hotels, hospitals, educational and workplace facilities, army barracks,
and similar establishments. These kitchens are generally larger and
equipped with bigger and more heavy-duty equipment than a
residential kitchen. For example, a large restaurant may have a huge
walk-in refrigerator and a large commercial dishwasher machine.
Commercial kitchens are generally (in developed countries) subject
to public health laws. They are inspected periodically by public-
health officials, and forced to close if they do not meet hygienic
requirements mandated by law.
Kitchen Layouts
The home's kitchen layout includes a spacious centre island
with sink that helps to define the open kitchen from the rest of
the home's great room.
"We have gone from the traditional kitchen, where one person
prepared meals to a multi-purpose room and a multiple-cook
room, and this evolution has changed us from looking at one
work triangle to multiple triangles, or 'zones,'" says Mary Jo
Peterson, principal, Mary Jo Peterson Inc. "With that in mind,
we have to increase clearances and look at adding comfortable
spaces in the kitchen."

Basic Kitchen Layout Types

One-Wall Kitchen
One wall. Originally called the "Pullman kitchen," the one-
wall kitchen layout is generally found in studio or loft spaces
because it’s the ultimate space saver. Cabinets and appliances
are fixed on a single wall. Most modern designs also include
an island, which evolves the space into a sort of Galley style
with a walk-through corridor.
Galley Kitchen Remodel Ideas
Galley this efficient, “lean” layout is ideal for smaller spaces
and one-cook kitchens. The galley kitchen, also called a walk-
through kitchen, is characterized by two walls opposite of
each other—or two parallel countertops with a walkway in
between them. Galleys make the best use of every square inch
of space, and there are no troublesome corner cabinets to
configure, which can add to a cabinetry budget.
L-Shaped Kitchen Designs
L- Shape. An L-shaped kitchen solves the problem of
maximizing corner space, and it’s a smart design for small
and medium sized kitchens. The versatile L-shaped kitchen
consists of countertops on two adjoining walls that are
perpendicular, forming an L. The “legs” of the L can be as
long as you want, though keeping them less than 12 to 15 feet
will allow you to efficiently use the space.
With an L-shaped layout, you’ll eliminate traffic: The kitchen
will not become a thoroughfare because it’s just not
logistically possible. Plus, you can easily add a dining space
and multiple work zones to this layout. However, avoid this
layout if your kitchen is large and can support other
configurations, such as adding an island, or if multiple cooks
will be using the space.
Horseshoe Kitchens
Horseshoe. The horseshoe, or U-shape, kitchen layout has
three walls of cabinets/appliances. Today, this design has
evolved from three walls to an L-shaped kitchen with an
island forming the third “wall.” “This design works well
because it allows for traffic flow and workflow around the
island,” says Mary Jo Peterson, principal, Mary Jo Peterson
Inc. “You can get more cooks into the kitchen.”