How to Make Your Kitchen Comfortable: 10 Expert Tips from a Chef

In collaboration with Flatplan, we continue our series on how to thoughtfully arrange your apartment to create a pleasant living environment.

Flatplan is an interior design project service. While working on projects, Flatplan designers consult with specialists from various fields: a fitness trainer advises on making your home workout-friendly, while an experienced freelancer shares tips for setting up a home office. In this joint project, we seek expert advice across different domains.

This time, we invited restaurateur William Lamberti to share how to design a kitchen that is both practical for cooking and inviting for relaxation.

William Lamberti

A renowned restaurateur, chef, and TV host based in Moscow, William has worked in Milan, Naples, Florence, and London.

1. Let More Light Into Your Kitchen

Cooking in a dimly lit space can be exhausting. Your eyes will tire quickly if you’re filleting fish or sorting rice in low light.

Ideally, your kitchen should have large panoramic windows or access to a balcony. Avoid heavy curtains and don’t block balcony space with shelves full of jars. The more natural light, the more spacious your kitchen will feel.

When your kitchen is bathed in sunlight, size becomes less important. Even a small kitchen can be a joy to cook in.

To visually enlarge your kitchen with artificial lighting, install recessed spotlights above the work area. You can also add LED strip lights or individual fixtures under cabinets to illuminate the sink and food prep zones.

2. Separate the Cooking Area from the Dining Area

The key is to arrange the sink, storage, and cooking zones so everything is within easy reach. Together, these form the kitchen's work triangle.

An ideal work triangle is isosceles with sides at least 1.5 meters long. In reality, this is rare due to varied kitchen layouts in modern apartments.

• For small or narrow kitchens, a linear furniture layout is recommended. Ensure at least one empty countertop space between work zones.
• In L- or U-shaped kitchens, place the sink in the corner with the stove and refrigerator on opposite sides.

Even if your kitchen doesn’t fit the classic work triangle, make sure to clearly separate the cooking area from the dining space. The cook should have a dedicated zone, undisturbed by family members grabbing a quick bite.

3. Design Your Kitchen for Socializing

The most meaningful conversations often happen in the kitchen. If you have a large family or frequent guests, you likely chat while cooking. It’s uncomfortable to talk with your back turned.

If space allows, consider adding an island or a G-shaped bar counter in front of your kitchen units. In smaller kitchens, position the dining area slightly diagonally rather than directly opposite the kitchen furniture.

Tip from Flatplan

Open kitchen concepts are trendy now. Make your kitchen as visible as possible so you can cook and socialize simultaneously.

The dining table should comfortably accommodate everyone. It’s important that all guests can see and hear each other. Round or oval tables work best; if rectangular, avoid sharp corners. Place the dining area near a window for a pleasant atmosphere.

4. Eliminate Cable Clutter

Modern kitchens use many appliances: refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, hood, blender, coffee maker — all plugged in.

Since sharp objects and water are common in kitchens, exposed cords, adapters, and extension cords are not only unsightly but also unsafe. They pose tripping and electric shock hazards.

Plan the placement of switches and appliances during the design phase. It’s better to have more outlets than needed, distributed across the workspace.

Tip from Flatplan

With well-placed outlets, cords won’t tangle or obstruct your work. Here’s a recommended layout for kitchen outlets.

If you have too many extension cords but can’t install new outlets, organize cables in dedicated conduits or hide them inside baseboards and cable channels on walls.

Tip from Flatplan

5. Avoid Sharp Corners

Imagine carrying a heavy, hot pot to the sink, tripping, and hitting a sharp cabinet or countertop edge. Sharp corners can cause serious injuries. It’s safer to have rounded edges on all kitchen furniture, especially wall-mounted cabinets and shelves.

6. Plan Efficient Storage

The smaller your kitchen, the more efficiently you must use the space. All elements should harmonize and be practical. During the design phase, carefully consider storage: where dishes, spices, and food will be kept.

Thoughtful storage systems solve clutter problems.

Make your backsplash functional by adding magnetic strips for knives or rails to hold spices and small utensils, freeing up cabinet space.

Tip from Flatplan

Store pot and pan lids on cabinet doors or inside walls to save space and keep them visible for easy access.

For corner kitchens, install a “magic corner” mechanism to maximize cabinet space. Opt for pull-out systems instead of traditional doors.

7. Hang a Clock in the Kitchen

While we often check time on smartphones, wall clocks remain essential in kitchens. With flour-covered hands and busy cooking, it’s better to keep your phone aside. A large clock with a second hand helps you track baking times and monitor how long until guests arrive.

8. Create a Kitchen That Reflects Your Personality

If you love baking pies and find floral curtains and carved cabinets heartwarming, a high-tech kitchen style might not feel cozy. You might prefer country or Provence styles.

Your kitchen’s interior is part of your cooking experience. Choose what makes you feel comfortable.

Regardless of style, avoid overly detailed facades and excessive eclecticism. Otherwise, even a clean kitchen may feel cramped and cluttered.

Limit your color palette to three shades: two similar and one contrasting to unify the interior.

Before remodeling, many browse magazines and online platforms for inspiration. While helpful, this can be overwhelming. We offer clients a style and color preference test to clarify their vision.

Tip from Flatplan

9. Coordinate Your Kitchen Style with the Rest of Your Home

For a cozy kitchen, its style should harmonize with the overall apartment design. This doesn’t mean using identical materials in every room; a unifying decorative element is enough.

10. If Your Kitchen Isn’t Comfortable, Don’t Struggle — Remodel It

You might have simple cups and spoons and a bright oilcloth instead of a tablecloth, but that doesn’t affect the taste of your food. However, a well-thought-out interior makes cooking enjoyable. Even a small kitchen can be comfortable.

Comfort is paramount. Everything should be designed to make cooking hassle-free and dining relaxing. Flatplan can help you design a kitchen that’s perfect for cooking, eating, and entertaining. Pricing is fixed at $400 regardless of project complexity or apartment size, including detailed plans, cost estimates, and builder guidelines.

To get started, take a short test on the website and choose a preferred interior style from the curated selection. Flatplan will customize it based on your preferences and apartment features. A designer will visit to take measurements, and within a week, you’ll receive a comprehensive design project.

Order your Flatplan now.

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