Understanding cooking, preservation, and eating spaces.

Kitchen design significantly impacts the value of a home. It is often said that the “kitchen is the heart of the home”, meaning that it not only nourishes our stomachs, it is the layout and function are key for homeowners and home buyers, especially in the Vancouver area, Whistler, and Okanagan markets. Since kitchen design has many facets, we have provided two additional articles that cover every aspect of kitchen design with Articulated Design Studio.

Kitchen Design Style

Farmhouse and transitional paneled kitchen designs are still popular for several homeowners, though the current trend shows modern kitchens with clean lines. 

Upper wall cabinets are currently trending down in homes where storage space is not an issue. This allows for wide, open sight lines and brighter kitchen spaces. On the other hand, open shelving is trending upward for kitchen spaces that require additional upper storage while still allowing for the design to be airy and bright. Open shelving looks beautiful with rough-cut wood to bring in natural elements or metal tubing to complement a more industrial design. 

The smallest details, ceiling treatments, and wood beams can embrace an open floor plan. They can even accentuate the smallest details in every kitchen design. A dropped ceiling design over the kitchen island can define even the largest kitchens by making the island the focal point of the space. 

Homeowners are often wanting connection from the kitchen to an outdoor space. Entry points such as glass doors easily allow the spaces to flow into one large space.

Kitchen design in 2023 is going to be splashy and luxurious. Kitchen design is often considered the focal point in the overall design of a home, but it will continue to be practical, easy to use, and unique.

The Basics: 6 Kitchen Layouts and Configurations

There are generally 6 kitchen layouts and configurations available:

1. I-Shape with or without and Island

2. L-Shape with or without and Island

3. Parallel

4. U-Shape

5. G-Shape, and

6. Broken G-Shape

Each of these kitchen layouts have some minimum sizes that will best fit within any home and we have shared those sizes below.

You can see that there is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to kitchen layouts. In fact, you can even combine some of these layouts together to achieve an alternative, but more likely than not they will be one of these 6 base-level kitchen layouts.

Accessible Kitchen Design

The design of an accessible kitchen is important for some people who use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or other mobility aid. This use to be called “barrier free” kitchen design, but now we understand that the use of the word “barrier” creates a disadvantage for some folks to overcome, and that is often seen as a significant roadblock.

Kitchen design details like lower counters, knee space under the counter, and raised electrical outlets are some accessible design details that can be added to a kitchen.

Appliances are also important to consider. An induction cooktop, induction range, and a wall oven can be important additions to an accessible kitchen renovation. Other appliances, like a drawer microwave or a dishdrawer dishwasher, will increase the function and usability for users in a wheelchair.

Finishes

Kitchen countertops and work surfaces.

Quartz and granite are high-end countertops chosen for their top-of-the line durability and longevity. These materials come in several neutral tones: greys, taupes, creams, and whites. Neutral tops promote cleaner lines.

Kitchen backsplashes.

Kitchen backsplash designs are constantly changing. 

Subway tiles are trending downward, though larger tiles are chosen when this style is installed.

Homeowners are moving towards larger slabs of tiles or stone with various textures, colours and patterns. Trendy colours are in, and neutral colours are still very popular to offer a classic look.

Backsplashes often cover more wall area in newer designs, and the large stone slabs chosen can be marble, quartz, wood, stainless steel, glass, and a variety of others.

Larger backsplashes fill in where upper cabinets are not part of the kitchen design.

Kitchen flooring design: hardwood and ceramic tile.

Hardwood flooring is still very popular, and ceramic flooring comes in a wide variety of design styles and sizes, including a hardwood floor look. Floor textures, colours and designs within the floor greatly add to the overall design of a kitchen.

Cabinetry, Casework and Millwork Design

Kitchen furniture.

Kitchen cabinets come in standard sizes. Through the optimization of the kitchen furniture design and cabinet sizes, many elements will make the space more functional for the homeowner.

Most family-oriented homes require a built-in desk space in the kitchen as part of the built-in millwork to be near young kids in the living or family room.

Breakfast eating bars and tables are another type of kitchen furniture that sit higher or lower than the kitchen countertops to make the space more functional.

Kitchen islands.

Kitchen islands are a focal point of the kitchen. Large islands serve multiple purposes, especially where kitchen storage is minimal. 

Many kitchen islands provide additional meal seating. They also have cabinets with storage solutions that can be custom fitted for various under-counter appliances.

Kitchen designs can allow for islands to extend into living room spaces in homes with open-plan designs. 

Kitchen cabinet storage solutions.

A functional kitchen requires functional storage. Standard designs that have been around for years can waste much needed storage space.

Better storage solutions within cabinetry can include appliance compartments for small appliances, drawer dividers for cutlery & utensils, pull-outs for spices, and roll-out trays for pots and pans.

Wastebasket cabinets for garbage and recyclables keep kitchen floor spaces clean, and deep drawers make it easier to store food and small appliances.

Our kitchen and bath design awards

• Innovators Of 2022, Kitchen & Bath Design News / 2022 / View award / Context

• Best Condo Renovation Under $250,000 (Finalist), BC Georgie Awards / 2020 / View project

• Best Townhouse/Condominium Renovation Under $250,000 (Finalist), HAVAN Awards / 2020 / View project

• 16th Annual Heritage House Tour, Vancouver Heritage Foundation / 2018 / View project

• 2nd Place Large Bath, NKBA BC DEA Awards / 2018 / View project

• 1st Place Small Kitchen, NKBA BC DEA Awards / 2016 / View project

• Best Condo Renovation (Finalist), BC Georgie Awards / 2016

• Best Kitchen Renovation under $100,000 (Finalist), BC Georgie Awards / 2016

• Best Kitchen Renovation under $50,000 (Winner), GVHBA Ovation Awards / 2015

• 1st Place Small Kitchen - NKBA/KBIS / 2015 / View project

• DXV Design Panelist, Inaugural / 2014 / View project / Watch the video

• Best Condominium Renovation (Finalist), Ovation Awards / 2014

• Best Kitchen Renovation $50,000 – $99,000 (Finalist), Ovation Awards / 2014

• Best Renovated Room: Master Ensuite (Finalist), Ovation Awards / 2014

• 3rd Place Large Bath, NKBA/KBIS / 2014 / View project

• 1st Place Small Kitchen, NKBA BC DEA Awards / 2014

• 1st Place Medium Bath, NKBA BC DEA Awards / 2014

• 2nd Place Large Kitchen, NKBA BC DEA Awards / 2014 / View project

Additional insights