As the hours in day seem to vanish, kitchens across the country continue to fill to the brim with a new wave of appliances with bold claims to rid you of the need to actually have any talent to cook at all. I, for one, am definitely in that target demographic! Do I Really Need A Pasta Maker?! With seemingly less and less time for the pursuit and art of cooking in our busy lives, manufacturers have seized the opportunity to create a new wave of time saving devices. For many, the kitchen has been the birthplace of some of the most revolutionary of these devices in the last 100 years, the microwave oven, freezer and most importantly for a large proportion of households, the dishwasher. As a generation we have wholeheartedly embraced anything that can help us cheat our way to culinary glory in the eyes of our peers. The home chef is sadly aspiring to an unobtainable position. Buoyed on with rapturous encouragement of an ever-increasing gang of celebrity chefs, mocking us with their recipes, utilising mere ‘leftovers’ to create restaurant quality delights. Leftovers that were probably carefully sourced, prepared and placed in the fridge by a production team no less. We mere mortals don’t stand a chance by ourselves. The bar has been raised and apparently pasta bake surprise is no longer an acceptable home cooked delight. Surprisingly Few Beans Coming from my university experience of cooking, although the term ‘warming up’ would be more appropriate; kitchenware and appliances were predictably abused. The microwave is king, the oven is but a lowly prince, the hob makes do as jester and the local Kebab shop is a veritable magical kingdom. You know your oven is neglected when you have a tab at the local take away and are receiving invitations to the owner’s son’s christening. Attempts were made to pull together and utilise the appliances and facilities so kindly provided to us by our landlord, unfortunately the only facility our oven provided was making sure that the batteries in our smoke machine weren’t flat. Which, as safety conscious as that made us, did not make up for the fact that a cheeky post night out pizza at 3 am could end frantically wafting smoke out of the window with an ever useful and now multi-purpose take away menu. Getting Your 5 a Day Great lengths were undertaken to avoid the rigmarole of cooking, the most common ‘meal’ being ham, eaten as is now customary, from its packet with the fridge ajar in front of you. However, as my education progressed, more adventurous methods were undertaken, underlined by one fateful day when the household discovered hash browns that could be cooked in the toaster. Like castaways stranded on a desert island, every commodity is used to its full potential, simple items of kitchenware become as multipurpose as a Black and Decker Workmate.  Saucepans become bowls, bowls become drinking receptacle and sporks become a valid form of currency, holding their own against the Euro. Conversely, the kitchen table loses its primary function and becomes an inefficient large bottle opener and intricate game of dirty plate Jenga, like some kind of washing up purgatory. To say I will miss this way of life is probably not the right phrase. I will always look upon it with a slightly undeserved sense of nostalgia. Knowing that, these ways of looking after oneself are not socially acceptable outside of being a university Student. Now I have to be sensible and cook ‘proper’ meals, for myself and even for other people (although not in a ‘Come Dine With Me’ format thankfully), I need all the help I can get. Time to go shopping for some appliances, for one, I need all the help I can get.   Patrick Robson is a freelance journalist and recent graduate. He blogs for Lords of Notting Hill, who offer a great Brabantia touch bin range – perfect for cleaning up messy student apartments!   Read more »

Our kitchens are one of the most important rooms in the house.  Not only the place where our meals are cooked but a place that most families come together at the end of the day to share the events of that day and spend time together.  You need you kitchen to be functional as well as a pleasant room to be in.  You need plenty of space and modern appliances like the Bosch dishwasher, that save time and are energy efficient.  When you look around your kitchen be aware of how expensive it would be if you had to replace everything due to theft or a fire, so make sure your contents insurance is kept up to date and covering any newly purchased appliances or renovations. Fridge No house can function without a fridge, certainly not in today’s modern society where so many food products need to be kept cool.  Our ancestors used to manage without one but instead they would have a cool room and sometimes meat or fish was killed or caught the same day it was eaten.  This is no longer a common practice so we need our fridges.  When buying a fridge get one that is big enough for your family.  That is, the more people in your household the more food you will have and the more space  you will need in your fridge. Dishwasher Having a dishwasher makes life so much easier.  It also helps you keep your kitchen tidier because rather than having dirty dishes stacked beside the sink waiting for you to wash them you can put them straight in the dishwasher.  A dishwasher also uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Microwave You might not use your microwave to cook with, although you can, and there are plenty of cookbooks will recipes specifically tailored for the microwave.  Even if you don’t use it to cook a meal they are certain handy for re-heating leftovers, melting butter, chocolate or other ingredients when cooking and when you want to quickly heat up food like baked beans or pasta. Storage  A must for any kitchen is having plenty of storage space.  If you are designing your kitchen yourself think about what cooking utensils and appliances that you have that you want to be able to put away.  Have a large deep drawer for your saucepans and another one that will hold things like your sandwich press, your mixer or blender.  Don’t forget you can have overhead cupboards.  Overhead cupboards with glass fronts also look nice as well as being practical as you can have some of your better crockery, vases, jugs and knick knacks on display. Water filter You can have a water filter fitted to your kitchen tap, otherwise you can buy a simple water filter jug or ceramic water filter that sits on your bench.  It will encourage you to drink more water if you can have easy access to fresh pure filtered water. Bench space Every kitchen needs plenty of bench space.  Design your kitchen around having this luxury as you will appreciate it when you are entertaining or even just cooking the evening meal. Coffee machine For coffee lovers having a coffee machine is a lovely luxury.  If you are going to drink coffee you might as well drink the good stuff, and it will end up saving you money as you don’t have to go out for great coffee. Non-stick frying pan Buy a good quality non-stick frying pan as it will last you a lot longer, as long as you look after it.  It may set you back over $100 but it is well worth it.  It will make cooking and cleaning up much easier and a good quality one is better for you than Teflon pans, which if they get scratched can contaminate your food. Sharp knives Have a good set of sharp knives so that you can work efficiently when cooking.  Have a proper knife sharpener too. Sandwich press  A handy gadget in any kitchen for those quick meals when you have run out of anything else.  Whip up a few toasted sandwiches quickly and easily with a sandwich press.  You can have a whole range of fillings such as cheese and Vegemite, canned spaghetti or baked beans, ham, cheese and tomato or even stewed apple and sultanas for a sweet treat. Photo by “theducks” via Flickr Read more »

Kitchens are often areas that people neglect to redesign while they have already remodeled other areas of a house. Kitchens are sometimes considered primarily functional areas, and so they are, but this does not mean that they should be overlooked in an esthetic sense. There are many improvements that are relatively easy to make to a kitchen that can improve both its functionality and décor/design appeal significantly. Other actions are more extensive, but they all can result in a more beautiful and easy to use kitchen area. The following are some tips concerning redesigning your kitchen if you sense that it’s time for a kitchen update: Think Function Along with Esthetics Perhaps the best rule of thumb to bear in mind is that function and esthetics need to work together in a kitchen. As noted above, kitchens are highly function based areas of a house, so you do need to bear in mind ways that you can make a kitchen easier to use when you’re planning improvements. Start with ways that you can make areas and appliances such as the stove, oven, refrigerator, counter tops, and hot counter areas all work together with efficiency. You may find that you can improve the flow of cooking, baking, and serving food by making some positional changes. You may also find that the layout is fine the way it is from a work flow standpoint. Either way, redesigning a kitchen often starts with these kinds of considerations. Consider Remodeling Questions regarding whether or not you need a new layout will obviously bear on questions of how much remodeling you need to do. You may need none, a little, or a lot. If you’re going to relocate counters, cabinets, add appliances, add new serving or eating areas and so on, you will need to remodel fairly extensively. This should be carefully planned out and gone over with a contractor unless you are very handy and plan to do the work yourself. Consider the amount of time the remodel will take, the cost, and where you are going to cook in the meantime. Things like countertops, sink areas, shelving, cabinets and overhead lighting are an important parts of kitchen remodeling. Serving and eating areas also factor in highly. Counter tops come in all kinds of varieties of material and style such as wood, marble, metal, glass, and various composite materials. Cabinets also come in many styles and can be either replaced entirely or just refaced, which involves replacing only the front edifice of cabinets. Make sure to take these and other items into consideration when planning the remodel. Sharp and Modern Appliances Part of the remodeling will likely involve new appliances. If you plan to buy a new stove and oven unit, for instance, you will need to have its measurements clearly in mind and you plan and carry out the remodel. Stylistically speaking, clean, sharp, and modern looking appliances can be a good direction to go. These kinds of kitchens are quite popular these days and it is usually easy to find appliances stylized in this manner. There are other more retro looks as well, so the modern one is only a suggestion. The key is to go for some kind of stylistic continuity that compliments the looks of your house in general. You can consider stoves, ovens, sinks, refrigerators, toasters, microwave ovens, and so forth as appliances to replace. Look around in catalogues to find stylistically innovative appliances or ones that suit your esthetic in some way that has continuity and compatibility. Kitchen Furnishings Kitchen furnishings like tables, lamps, and free standing storage items can all be considered kitchen furnishings. You might want to update these along with the new appliances and surfaces. Again try to aim for function along with stylistic compatibility. In summary, redesigning your kitchen happens on a number of different levels. Take the literal kitchen layout, whether or not you need to remodel, and the issue of new appliances all into consideration as you plan out a kitchen improvement or overhaul. Integrate functionality and esthetics to arrive at a design that is convenient, easy to use, and stylistically and esthetically satisfying. Cliq Studios business goal is to help you improve your house. Cliq Studios design, manufacture and sell high end kitchen cabinets. At the Cliq Studios website you can create your dream kitchen at a great price kitchen cabinet prices. You can trust Cliq Studios’ Kitchen Cabinets to go above and beyond your expectations. Read more »

So, you’re planning to remodel your kitchen? One of the most difficult things about the remodeling process is estimating the budget. Additionally, because the kitchen is often the most used room in a home, it consumes the most attention, energy, and finances for a remodel than any other room in the house. It is important to budget enough finances, as well as your attention, into planning out your perfect kitchen. Planning is truly critical for the success of your remodel. One of the most important rules in the planning process is to create a realistic budget. It does not make sense to allocate more money in one area than you really think you can afford. Just because you hope you win the lottery, does not mean you will and can then afford the best appliances on the market. The key here is to pick an amount that you are capable of and comfortable with spending. Once you have determined your budget, the next step is to allocate the money to certain features and renovations in the kitchen. The list below can be used as a general rule to see what percentage of your budget should be spent on each part of your renovation. Do not forget to factor in labor, installation, and shipping costs because these can raise prices and throw off your budget if forgotten. Also, experts advise on not spending more than 15% of your home’s value on your kitchen remodel. This is to help keep your return-on-investment as high as possible. Overrun costs of 10% should be included to plan for the unexpected. - 40% Cabinetry - 20% Countertops & Flooring - 15% Appliances - 15% Fixtures - 10%  Overrun Kitchen Remodeling Planning Tips A less brief rundown of items needed for a kitchen is below. Know that every kitchen is different and if you decide to splurge in one area, you may incur additional costs. Also, having additional items that are specific to your needs and the needs of your family will also raise expenses. For example, some people choose to add space for a television in their kitchen now, so this is all dependent on the remodeler’s needs. Cabinetry Door Style Finish Decorative Hardware Installation Labor Appliances Installation Labor Flooring Installation Labor Electrical Light Fixtures Receptacles Appliances Installation Labor Plumbing Fixtures Installation Labor Wall Treatment Material Installation Labor Backsplash Material Installation Labor Countertop Material Fabrication Installation Labor Window Treatment Material Installation Labor Lastly, some other commonly forgotten items that have to be included in your renovation budget are found below. These costs will all vary by location and each person’s situation. Some may be taken care of by the homeowner if they want to save money or will need to be paid for. -          The labor to tear out the current kitchen -          The removal of scrap materials -          The permits for construction (if applicable) -          Home inspectors About the author: August Drilling works for CliqStudios.com, an online site for kitchen cabinets, and loves social media, entertainment, and all things Apple. Read more »

Recessed lighting is lighting that is set into a cavity in the ceiling. It comes in many forms and sizes and is generally used to flood a specific area with light, as opposed to traditional overhead lighting that is used to light an entire room. Recessed lighting can be unidirectional or set on a rotating joint so that its direction can be adjusted, depending on where you want to point the light. For this reason, as well as for its inconspicuous installation, recessed lighting is a popular choice for kitchen design. However, it’s not appropriate for every circumstance. When planning your kitchen’s lighting scheme, keep in mind these pros and cons of using recessed lighting in your kitchen area: Pros: Perfect “wallwashing” effect. This means that, if you want to highlight wall hangings or even just wash a wall with a soft, vertical light, recessed lighting is the way to go. Unobtrusive installation method. Because of its installation method, recessed lighting can be mounted in a way that makes it flush with the ceiling and virtually undetectable from your vantage point. This means that recessed lighting can easily blend in with any and all types of interior design and décor. Ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is lighting that is soft, indirect, and concentrated on a room’s focal points. As opposed to harsh overhead lighting, ambient lighting seems to make a room glow, and is generally considered to be the most aesthetically appealing type of lighting there is. Cons: Limitations to furniture arrangement. If you install recessed lighting over a nook area with the intention of highlighting a breakfast table, then you really have no option but to leave that table in its place, or else find an object to replace it. Heat. Recessed lighting can be very hot and may even overheat if used too often. To avoid this, you may need to purchase expensive, specialized bulbs. Need for more lighting. Recessed lighting is generally considered to be decorative or focal lighting, and using only recessed lighting could result in a dimly-lit kitchen. There is a lot of work that goes on in the kitchen and a resulting need for ample lighting. Therefore, when planning your kitchen’s lighting, you will need to budget for additional lighting sources, such as lamps and pendants, in order to have enough lighting to have a fully-lit room. Recessed lighting can be a beautiful way to customize your kitchen’s lighting plan and highlight features of your kitchen that you like the most. Just keep in mind that recessed lighting on its own is not enough to fully light a kitchen, and that it should be part of an overall lighting scheme that includes other types of lighting as well.     About the Author: Holly is a full-time writer and blogger with a passion for home improvement, finance, and education. When she’s not thinking up ways to improve her home decor, she can be found writing educational pieces for SchoolGrantsBlog.com.   Read more »

The kitchen is the heart of the home; this is where your family will spend a lot of time and where the most important parts of the day will be taking place. The kitchen is where the food and drinks are stored, where a lot of the home’s practical appliances and devices for making life easy and convenient are placed and it also is the room which adds the greatest value for anyone concerned about home values. Design Designing your new kitchen is a great experience, providing you take your time to research and cost everything out properly. Kitchens are expensive as a general rule, but this is largely due to a failure to properly consider the options which are available. A fully customized kitchen is a very expensive, but exceptionally individualistic statement to make. Cabinetry is made to order and to fit precisely the kitchen dimensions provided. The cost will run into tens of thousands of dollars and thus a custom kitchen is beyond the budgets of most people. A simple way to obtain the personalization required is to use customized cabinetry. Customized cabinetry is made using standardized dimensions and designs, but due to modern manufacturing methods they are made in a dazzling array of varieties. It is not unusual for there to be hundreds of individuals of different designs, color schemes, material and dimension combinations, which means that if you select a customized kitchen design the chances are that you have a highly individual design which is certainly unlikely to be replicated by anyone else. So how does this help you? Customized cabinetry is available at a fraction of the cost of a fully customized kitchen. The reduced cost of manufacturing means that clients are able to obtain individual designs to create a personalized look, but without the hefty price tag. It is usual for a customized kitchen to be fitted for less than ten thousand dollars, and in some cases for a lot less depending on the design and installation. It is much easier to find cabinetry to fit all sorts of kitchen sizes. There are numerous different dimensions to take advantage of odd space which is left over and previously would have been unusable. There are also some exceptionally imaginative design ideas to make use of all of the space which is available for your new kitchen installation. The kitchen is a center for high technology in the home, as much as any state-of-the-art entertainment system in the family room. It is not unusual to find a host of hi-tech equipment in the kitchen such as televisions, audio and computer systems, food processing and preparation appliances. Modern customized cabinetry is able to accommodate these new developments and still produce the appearance and functionality you are looking for with your kitchen. Design considerations are fully catered for too. Customized kitchen cabinetry provides for multiple styles and color combinations; it is not unusual to be able to source a particular style in almost any color or wood finish you are looking for. This provides you with an almost infinite array of design opportunities to stamp your own personal seal of taste and style upon the kitchen design you ultimately choose for your home. Agee Woodworks provides custom routed cabinets as well as fireplace mantels made to order.   Read more »

For many years people have argued over whether or not the dishwasher is a more environmentally friendly solution than completing the washing up by hand – yet no matter how long this debate continues, nobody has ever succeeded in attaining an accurate answer. Below are some of the arguments for and against both options; however I, just like everybody else, am unable to establish the real truth behind the question. The Dishwasher Uses Less Water While perhaps the first dishwashers to hit our homes were incredibly uneconomical where water was concerned, newer models have been developed so that they will use very little. In fact, washing up by hand now on average, uses six times more water than most dishwashers will. However, it’s important to note that many people rinse their dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. This increases the amount of water used by almost five times. Due to this, the dishwasher can significantly reduce water usage, but only if the tap is not used to rinse items first. Sinks and Taps Entail Lower Production Costs The environmental production costs incurred in the manufacture of white goods such as dishwashers are substantial. Not only are large amounts of oil required to produce the goods themselves, but what must also be considered is the cost of transporting goods of this weight. What’s more, the average dishwasher has a life-span of around ten years, meaning that a replacement will be required on a fairly regular basis – this adds significantly to the overall impact the dishwasher will have on the environment. On the other hand, high quality sinks and taps (Franke taps are a great example of a quality brand) should last for many decades. The environmental and financial costs incurred in their initial production are additionally much lower than those involved in the manufacture of a dishwasher – even high quality sink and taps like those from franke taps are much cheaper to purchase than a dishwasher of similar calibre. Dishwashers Use More Electricity While heating water requires in most cases either gas or electricity, a bowl of hot water can be filled quite quickly and then the tap can be turned off. On the other hand, the dishwasher uses electricity during the entire time it is being used meaning that it is considerably less economical in this instance. Using a dishwasher may also work out more expensive than using sinks and taps to do the washing up by hand, regardless of the fact that hand washing will use more water than the alternative. Both Methods Entail The Use of Harmful Chemicals While all the statements so far have pointed clearly at either the dishwasher or hand washing – both solutions incur the impact that the products used in the process are very harmful to the environment. Both dishwasher tablets and washing up liquids contain chemicals that leak into our water, harming animals and eventually, us. They can also cause harm while in use by releasing harmful fumes into the surrounding atmosphere. Thankfully, alternative products are now commonly available. An internet search for ‘ecological washing up liquid’ or ‘ecological dishwasher tablets’ will reveal the names of companies producing these products without the harmful chemicals that are present in most standard brands.   This post was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of the Kitchen Appliance Centre. Crispin is a freelance writer who writes on many subjects including home improvements   Read more »

Marble is one of the most exclusive materials we can choose to adorn our homes, however while it is often employed in the kitchen as a worktop surface, it is not always the ideal material for its given purpose. While undeniably marble looks fantastic and will make your home stand out from the crowd – so do a pair of 6 inch stilettos – yet neither are entirely practical. Due to this, savvy homeowners may find that other materials such as granite will be better suited to the role of a kitchen worktop. The main drawback to marble as a countertop is the fact it’s quite a soft and fragile stone, meaning that it cannot properly withstand the heavy use it will be subjected to in most kitchens. This issue becomes even more apparent when considering the cost of installing a marble worktop and therefore the cost of replacing it. Yet if you’re set on adorning your kitchen with the magnificence of a marble surface, there are a few steps which can be taken to ensure the stone remains in the best possible condition. First of all, never cut, peel or do anything potentially damaging directly on the marble surface. Always use a mat or other protective item. Never place hot items on the marble surface. Ensure to use a heat resistant mat that is clearly designed for the specific purpose. Finally, mop up any spillages instantly – particularly if they are of an alcoholic or citric persuasion. Acidic liquids will quickly start to erode and stain the marble surface – a type of damage that marble repair cannot easily fix. However, if your marble countertop does become damaged, in most cases it isn’t the end of the world. Marble repair can provide a low cost solution that can fully recapture the stones former glory. While marble repair kits are available in most home stores it is usually advisable to employ the services of a professional. Accurately matching the colours and textures of the stone requires a keen eye and bags of experience, and cannot generally be achieved by someone who is new to the practice of marble repair. Yet if you’ve decided that marble isn’t the right material for your kitchen countertop, consider choosing granite instead. Granite is another stone that is entirely unique and will instantly give a touch of class and calibre to any room. It’s also much more hardwearing than marble – in fact, it’s one of the hardest wearing stones known to man. Granite is completely heat resistant, and very, very difficult to scratch, chip or break. This makes it ideal for the kitchen or any other use where the stone will be subject to regular use of an aggressive nature. Granite repairs are also carried out as easily as marble repair – yet it is highly unlikely they will be needed as often. However, having shunned the use of marble in a kitchen, I’ll make one final point. Although marble is easily damaged by cooking related endeavours, it’s perfect for other uses around the home. Marble is ideal for the bathroom since it will not be subjected to extreme heat or sharp objects. It’s also commonly used in the building of fireplaces – not only is marble perfect for this purpose but it’s also a fantastic way to create a unique focal point for the room. This article was written by Crispin Jones on behalf of Hometech UK. Crispin writes on a number of different subjects including home repairs and renovations such as marble repair. Read more »

Choosing the right material for a kitchen worktop can prove to be a tricky dilemma. Do you stick to a budget and select the cheap option, knowing the worktop might need to be replaced shortly down the line? Or do you choose the most expensive materials available, even though the initial cost might be more than you ideally wanted to spend? There’s a host of materials available for the kitchen worktop with laminate materials lying at the cheaper end of the spectrum, and granite and marble at the other. The problem is that many of us choose to think about the here and now, rather than the long term investment. This means that we have a tendency to choose the cheaper option; even though we know deep down that it probably won’t last. However, laminate worktops are in fact, not all cheap and nasty. While the cheapest of the lot may well fade, scratch and chip within a few days use, more expensive laminate worktops are built to be heat resistant, fade resistant and just all round highly durable. Yet it is the most expensive worktop materials, such as granite, that offer the most durability. Granite is naturally heat resistant and can only be scratched if great force is applied. Granite repairs are also very easy, and most issues can be resolved this way. Because of this, granite worktops (and similar materials) are generally much better options financially, when considering the long-term. Kitchen worktop repair will not always suffice when concerning cheap laminate materials, meaning the cost of replacing the whole worktop may turn out to be an unavoidable expense. What’s more, materials such as granite and marble are great selling points for the home. Buyers will be very impressed that the home is already fitted out with these materials, meaning that (minus the odd granite repairs or kitchen worktop repair) should they choose to purchase the home, they will be in possession of a worktop that will last for many, many years to come. Another option for kitchen worktop repair is to have the worktop resurfaced. While this is more expensive that repairing chips or scratches, it still tends to work out much cheaper than it would to replace the whole thing. Worktop resurfacing is an excellent solution to damage that is more substantial, or involves staining or fading. Therefore, although it may be initially much more expensive to fork out for a granite worktop than say, a laminate worktop, materials such as granite should last a lifetime (or longer) without needing to be replaced. And small amounts of damage (that are in fact, unlikely to occur), can be fixed easily and cheaply using a granite repairs specialist. The flip side of the coin is that you choose cheap materials, which may save you a significant amount there and then, but over time will cause you more problems, resulting in the cost of the cheap worktop stacking up. However, we all have our own priorities and for many people it simply isn’t possible to afford to spend large amounts of money in one go. But having said that, if the finances allow – it is almost always better to go for the more expensive, higher quality option – not just with regards to kitchen worktops, but with most things we purchase in life. Read more »

The “work triangle” is a common phrase that is often heard when designing a kitchen floor plan. It is a certain area that is defined by the location of the three most important appliances and furniture in the kitchen. These are: the refrigerator, the stove and the sink. The spot where you decide to place these three structures will be a great part of of designing your kitchen layout. The key to an effective kitchen layuot is keeping the location of the three kitchen appliances near each other so movement around the kitchen will be easier and more efficient. When designing your kitchen layout, you should be well aware of the different types and designs of kitchen floor plans. The most common design used is the L-shaped kitchen. With this type of plan, flexibility is the top advantage. Aside from this, the cook not only has enough space to work in but this type of kicthen is typically open ended and connects to another room making interacting with guests and other family members easy. The G-shaped kitchen is an improved version of the U-shaped kitchen style. With this type, the chef has three sides where he can place the three most important kitchen appliances mentioned above. However, in a G-shaped kitchen, there is usually a fouth wall that is commonly used for cabinets or bulding an island. Probably the most versatile type of kitchen format is the U-shaped kitchen because this kind offers the owner with enough storage space and work space. If you have a large space for your kitchen, you can use this design and divide it into various work stations for the cook to efficiently preapare a lot of food without allowing kitchen traffic to get in the way. Remember that the appliances should not be arranged too close to each other because you might up hemmed and stuck at a corner. Read more »