A galley kitchen is practical for small spaces. This narrow layout is usually complemented by a kitchen island, which physically divides the area from the other living spaces.

An L-shaped kitchen maximises space by utilising the corner of the kitchen and opening up plenty of potential for storage.

A U-shaped layout places units on three sides of the kitchen, with the top of the ‘U’ left accessible, and increases the storage capacity along the wall.

Note the dimensions required for counters, built-in appliances and aisle spaces. The standard height for countertops is between 85cm and 90 cm.

Consider going higher if you are tall to avoid backache from bending over to chop veggies or wash the dishes. To avoid squeezing between counters, the ideal aisle width would be 1m for one cook and 1.2m for two cooks.

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to kitchens. Its design depends largely on its size and primary uses. For instance, do you bake often, do heavy cooking or use it for entertainment? Do you tend to cook a lot of oily foods? If you deep-fry often, for instance, it may leave oily residue on your furniture, floors and walls, not to mention food odours that you’ll have to spend extra time getting rid of.

Don’t underestimate the amount of storage you’ll need. Make an inventory of all the items you already have and potentially need, including appliances such as a sleek and stylish fridge, a combination microwave oven and an air fryer. An open-concept kitchen involves knocking down walls, which might mean sacrificing storage space.

Evaluate your appliances, too. “Busy families may prefer ovens with multiple heating modes to save time on defrosting and heating food,” says Adrian Kok, Head of Marketing ASEAN, BSH Home Appliances. To minimise clutter, consider built-in appliances like ovens, microwaves and even a coffee machine.

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Well-planned lighting can elevate the look of your kitchen and improve your food preparations. The three main types are basic light for the area; task lighting, which highlights a specific work area such as the cooker top or countertop; and accent lighting, which can create a focal point.

“When it comes to open kitchen concepts, having a consistent Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of 3,000K throughout the home allows homeowners to create a soft ambience within the kitchen and the rest of the home,” says Joseph Ho, co-founder of Sol Luminaire.

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Text: Michelle Lee/Home & Decor