Designing a home kitchen can be an exciting yet daunting task. With so many options and considerations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. One great source of kitchen design inspiration comes from professional restaurant kitchens. While home cooks may not need the high-powered equipment and massive prep spaces, there are many smart design ideas that can be adapted for the home. Read on to discover some of the most drool-worthy design features to borrow from restaurant kitchens.
Ergonomic Work Triangle
In a professional kitchen, the layout adheres to an efficient work triangle between the refrigerator, stove, and sink. This allows cooks to smoothly transition between these key workstations. When designing your home kitchen, think about creating a similar triangular workflow. Position the fridge, cooktop, and sink within steps of each other. Break up the work triangle with an island or peninsula to create even more usable counter space. Ergonomic placement cuts down on unnecessary steps and makes cooking less tiring.
Plenty of Counter Space
Restaurant kitchens need expansive counters to prep multiple dishes at once. While you may not need as much counter space, having ample room makes cooking much more enjoyable. An island or peninsula can add counters without eating up wall space. For maximum functionality, ensure there is at least 36 inches of landing area on both sides of appliances. Think about your cooking habits and provide extra space accordingly. For example, avid bakers will appreciate extra spreading out room.
High-Quality Commercial Appliances
Professional kitchens boast powerful, rugged appliances designed to withstand constant use. Many of these pro-style appliances are now available for home use. Commercial-grade ranges offer options like powerful burners, griddles, and convection ovens. Other pro options include ventilating hoods, steam ovens, induction cooktops, and stainless steel fridges. While commercial appliances come at a premium price, they offer superior performance and durability. For avid home cooks, making the investment can be well worth it.
Pot Filler at Stove
A pot filler is a specialty faucet located right behind the stove. It allows cooks to easily fill large stockpots without having to lug them to the sink. Pot fillers are common in restaurant kitchens but can also be installed at home. Select an articulating double-jointed model that can extend over your largest pots. Opt for a handspray option to maximize functionality. Position it near your primary cooking area. A pot filler adds professional convenience without taking up additional counter space.
Extra Prep Sink
Many pro kitchens have multiple sinks – separate stations for produce washing, hand washing, dishwashing and more. While a single sink can get the job done, an extra prep sink adds functionality. Install one near food prep areas or islands. For a streamlined look, select a sink that matches your main one. Prep sinks make quick work of produce washing, thawing meats, cleaning up spills and more. The small extra investment pays dividends in convenience.
High-Flow Faucet
Standard faucets simply can’t keep up with the demands of a professional kitchen. That’s why commercial faucets have significantly higher flow rates. Heavy-duty designs allow cooks to rapidly fill large pots and quickly rinse dishes. Look for home models with flow rates of at least 2.2 gallons per minute. High flow faucets cut down on waiting time. Other handy features include pull-down sprayers and long arched spouts that can accommodate large pots.
Hot Water Circulating Pump
Ever notice how restaurant sinks provide instant hot water? The secret is under-sink hot water circulating pumps. They work by recirculating hot water through the plumbing system. This eliminates the need to wait for cold water to clear the pipes. For a similar instant hot water system at home, have a recirculating pump professionally installed. Energy efficient demand models activate only when hot water is required. Upgrade to a tankless water heater for endless on-demand hot water.
Commercial Grade Vent Hood
Home cooks who love to sear and sauté should install a powerful commercial style vent hood. Professional hoods use commercial blowers to rapidly clear smoke, grease, odors and more. Look for a model with at least 600 CFM for optimal airflow. Other key features include multispeed fans, stainless steel filters and halogen lights. Duct it outside for clean indoor air. A high-powered vent hood also helps combat humidity.
Generous Storage Space
From shelves to enormous pantries, pro kitchens excel at storage. For maximum home kitchen functionality, incorporate storage everywhere possible. Cabinet fronts, drawers, blind corners and pull-out shelves all help organize essentials exactly where you need them. Consider taller wall cabinets, appliance garages, and slide-out trays for lesser used items. Islands offer storage and serving space. For bonus space, have cabinets customized with handy built-ins like spice racks, knife blocks and more.
Charging Stations and USB Ports
Today’s kitchens double as home offices, homework stations and more. Make your space ultra-functional by incorporating built-in charging stations. Look for outlets with high-powered USB ports designed to quickly charge phones and tablets. The pop-up cube style works well on countertops and islands. Build USB ports directly into cabinets, walls or backsplashes for concealed charging. Position ports near areas where devices will be used, like homework zones. Stay powered up without cluttering your counters.
Raised Dishwasher
In commercial kitchens, dishwashers are elevated to reduce bending. Raising your home dishwasher provides the same ergonomic benefit. Look for models designed to be installed 10-18 inches above the floor. ADA height works well for universal access. Install a matching panel for a seamless look. Elevating cuts down on back strain when loading and unloading. For maximum convenience, order your raised dishwasher with the controls on top rather than in the front.
Extra Large Sink
Home sinks tend to max out around 36 inches. Pro kitchens commonly boast extra-long sinks exceeding 5 feet. While you likely don’t need a sink the size of a bathtub, opting for the largest size possible ensures space to stack dishes, soak large pots and tidy up efficiently. For double the space, install two bowls. Include extras like built-in drainboards and high faucet clearance. Deep stainless steel sinks resist staining and stand up to heavy use.
Commercial Style Flooring
Chefs spend hours on their feet, so commercial kitchens require flooring that offers comfort along with durability. Materials like poured resin, quarry tile and slip-resistant sheet goods are designed to take a beating. While home cooks are gentler on floors, it’s wise to skip delicate materials prone to staining like natural stone and hardwoods. Look for low-maintenance sheet goods or tile designed for food service use. Focus on safety and easy cleaning over decorative flair.
Interior Windows to Living Space
Open kitchen and living room layouts are popular in modern homes and condos. Take design cues from the pass-through windows used in many restaurants. Interior windows let natural light flow between spaces and allow conversation between rooms. Glass partitions also help kitchen aromas entice family and guests. Look for windows positioned high enough to preserve privacy while allowing light to penetrate. If views into your kitchen aren’t desired, opt for translucent glass or sliding panels.
Plentiful Task Lighting
From prep tables to stovetops, restaurant kitchens are brightly lit to facilitate detailed work. While overall kitchen lighting should be bright, also incorporate task lighting to illuminate specific zones. Under-cabinet LED strip lights are perfect for countertop tasks like chopping and mixing. Position pendants to spotlight cooking areas. Include recessed lighting inside cabinets to fully see contents. Portable floor and clip-on lamps increase customization. Avoid overhead shadows by layering ample task lighting.
Durable, Easy-Clean Surfaces
Messy cooking splatters and spills are inevitable, so pro kitchens are designed with function over form in mind. Eschew high-maintenance surfaces like raw wood, delicate tile and grout, and intricate laminates. Opt for durable stainless steel, solid surface, or composite options that hold up to heat, moisture, and daily wear-and-tear. Non-porous materials resist stains and wipe clean easily. Simple subway tile patterns stay looking fresh longer than intricate designs. Focus on durability over ornate details.
Heated Floors
Chefs endure long hours on cold tile and concrete. Heated floors offer blissful comfort by gently warming feet. Radiant floor heating systems work by running heated fluid through pipes under flooring materials. Systems range from basic mats to more complex automated setups. Heated flooring is not just a luxury – it also effectively reduces kitchen heat loss. Look for electric systems compatible with your flooring type. Programmable thermostats allow custom comfort scheduling.
Double Ovens
Restaurant kitchens rely on banks of heavy-duty ovens. For greater home baking and cooking capacity, install double ovens. Full-sized double wall ovens provide serious space for simultaneous tasks like baking dessert while roasting a meal. Models with double convection fans cook foods extra quickly and evenly. Alternately, choose a full oven paired with a more compact oven or microwave for flexibility. Include warming drawers directly below to keep cooked foods at serving temp. More ovens mean endless menu possibilities.
Extra Large Self-Close Drawers
Standard shallow drawers quickly run out of space. Restaurant-style extra deep drawers boast full-extension slides that provide complete access. Look for oversized drawers exceeding 24″ deep – wide enough to store bulky cookware and serving pieces. Opt for models with smooth self-closing mechanisms for convenience. Consider divided cutlery drawers to neatly organize utensils. Soft-close dampers prevent slamming. Sturdy full-extension metal slides support seriously heavy items.
Easily Cleanable Cabinet Interiors
In commercial kitchens, every surface must resist grease, grime and moisture. Apply this same logic when selecting home cabinets. While beautiful cabinets set a luxe tone, prioritize materials that clean up easily on the inside. Look for moisture-resistant finishes like melamine or thermally fused laminate. Stainless steel resists greasy buildup. Ditch iffy materials like raw wood or particleboard. Clean cabinets start with interiors designed for the demands of kitchen use.
Space for Recycling and Compost
Increasingly environmentally conscious diners expect top restaurants to provide ample recycling and compost facilities. Integrate this practice into your home kitchen design too. Incorporate multiple sorting bins into cabinetry or islands. Under-sink pull-out recycling compartments keep sorters concealed. Designate cupboard space for reusable takeout containers and shopping bags. If your municipality offers food scrap recycling, allow space for covered compost buckets. Make it easy to minimize waste.
Hands-Free Faucets
In busy commercial kitchens, hands-free faucets allow cooks to multitask without contamination. Look for home models equipped with infrared sensors that automatically turn on water flow when hands are under the spout. Touchless operation promotes hand hygiene and food safety. Hands-free models are especially useful for tasks like rinsing produce and handling raw meat. Reduced contact helps inhibit cross contamination.
Built-In Kitchen Computer Station
Modern restaurants rely on computers for everything from inventory to online ordering. Incorporate tech into your home kitchen design with a built-in computer station. Dedicate counter space or create a slide-out laptop shelf near food prep zones. Include outlets with USB charging ports. Opt for water-resistant cabinets and surfaces in case of spills. Look for monitors designed for kitchen use like waterproof touchscreens. Integrated tech allows you to seamlessly watch tutorials, take video calls, and multitask.
Extra Deep Stainless Steel Sinks
Home sinks tend to max out around 8 to 10 inches deep. Restaurant kitchens rely on extra-deep sinks exceeding 12 inches to handle large stacks of dishes and enormous pots. While residential plumbing systems can’t accommodate massively deep sinks, look for the deepest stainless steel sink that will fit your counter cut-out. Sinks 10 inches and up allow filling stockpots and provide ample washing space. Include drainboards on both sides. Deeper single bowls also conserve counter space occupied by double sink setups.
Built-In Kitchen Bypass Doors
Commercial kitchens utilize swing doors to connect prep spaces while limiting noise and odor transfer. This smart design detail can work in open-concept homes too. Install bypass doors between your kitchen and living areas. In place of bulky standard doors, look for narrow overlapping panels that allow discreet passage between rooms when desired. Bypass doors contain kitchen commotion and smells without fully separating spaces. Closed, they create an elegant finished look compared to empty doorways.
Extra Wide Refrigerator
Cramped fridges lead to forgotten foods languishing in dark corners until they spoil. Avoid this fate with an extra wide refrigerator. Commercial fridge columns boast widths of 48 inches or more. At home, the largest standard models clock in around 36 inches wide. Look for 42-48 inch options designed for residential spaces. French door and customizable column styles maximize fresh food storage. Include spacious freezer drawers for frozen foods and ice. Eliminate fridge chaos with the gift of spacious cooling.
Commercial Ice Maker
Home freezers struggle to keep up with ice demand for cocktails, chilling foods, and filling coolers. An automatic commercial ice maker pumps out ice on demand, keeping supply constantly topped up. Look for under-counter models designed to integrate with your kitchen decor. Opt for hands-free auto-dispensing to conveniently fill glasses or buckets. Higher output options exceeding 100 lbs daily handle ice lover needs with room to spare. Never run out of ice again even when entertaining crowds.
Powerful Garbage Disposal
Standard disposals can choke on scraps from ambitious cooking sessions. Avoid clogs and jams with a heavy-duty commercial grade disposal. Look for units with at least 3HP motors designed for years of high-volume use. Stainless steel grind chambers resist corrosion. Options like auto-reversing blades clear stuck debris while minimizing damage. Some pro disposers pulverize bones – great for hardcore home cooks. Invest in serious grinding power and say goodbye to finicky units.
Built-In Coffee Machine
Morning coffee is essential fuel for busy restaurant cooks. Bring cafe convenience into your own kitchen with a built-in coffeemaker. Under-cabinet models clean up counters while keeping coffee within easy reach. Look for insulated carafes or thermal pots to keep it piping hot. Opt for larger capacity options to brew up to 12 cups at once. Programmable models allow wake-up customization. For ultime freshness, consider a plumbed model hooked directly to a water line.
Shelves for Display Storage
Open shelving is common in restaurant kitchens for both storage and displaying vibrant ingredients. Make frequently used items like small appliances, prep bowls and attractive tableware focal points via open shelving. Unfussy industrial steel wire shelves hold up to heavy use. Include culinary accents like hanging pots and utensils. Just be sure to maintain tidiness since everything is visible. Display storage adds stylish function in place of boring blank cupboards.
Foot Pedal Drawer Releases
When hands are messy, tapping a foot pedal comes in handy to open drawers and cabinets in commercial kitchens. Look for residential cabinets and organizers outfitted with foot pedal mechanisms. Hands-free operation allows easy access to trash cans, recycling bins, and paper towel holders when cooking. Even small touches like pedal-open lids for step stools cut down on handling. For maximum flexibility, consider automatic opening drawers activated by pulls or hands-free motion sensors.
Custom-Built Spice Racks
Pre-made spice racks quickly run out of space for serious cooks. Many restaurant kitchens incorporate customized built-ins to neatly store vast collections. Work with a cabinet maker or organization company to design fully-stocked pull-outs sized to your space and spice collection. Custom racks maximize usable storage and eliminate clutter. Include specialty options like slide-out trays, tilt bottles, and divided jars. Lazy susans and two-stage designs double capacity. Get organized with storage made for your needs.
Extra Large Food Processor
Home cooks can only dream of using the enormous food processors restaurant kitchens boast. Still, you can upgrade your prep arsenal with the largest residential models. Look for 14-16 cup bowl capacities designed for batch cooking and prepping ingredients in quantity. Models exceeding 3 horsepower make quick work of dense foods with their powerful motors. Look for commercial-style chutes that fit whole produce like potatoes. Extra capacity and power gets the job done fast.
High-Heat Grill Cabinet Ventilation
Ventilation hoods struggle to keep up with intense restaurant grills cranking out thousands of BTUs. Equip your outdoor kitchen with serious ventilation for grilling at high heat. Look for inserts designed to install inside cabinetry above grills and provide powerful air extraction. Pro-style blower motors rapidly whisk away smoke. Mesh filters trap grease. Durable stainless steel resists corrosion from moisture and fats. Proper ventilation is crucial for indoor and outdoor grilling stations.
Soundproofing Materials
Commercial kitchens inherently involve noisy tasks like grinding, mixing, clanking dishes and more. Soundproof your home kitchen to limit noise transfer throughout the house. Strategically place solid doors and insulated interior walls. Sound dampening window treatments also help muffle noise. Lining vents with sound-muffling materials reduces fan noise drift to other rooms. Quiet appliances like dishwashers and range hoods cut down on ambient racket. With numerous strategies, you can limit kitchen commotion.
Easy-Access Basement Storage
Even the most spacious pro kitchens rely on cavernous basements and storage rooms to tuck away bulky gear and backstock ingredients. Make your home kitchen more functional by incorporating basement access. Look for pull-out stairways that disappear when not needed. Dumbwaiters allow conveying food and other items between floors. Slightly elevating basement freezers makes accessing them easier. Depending on your home layout, basement access helps expand available kitchen storage.
Hygienic Smooth Surfaces
Commercial kitchens mandate non-porous surfaces that limit germ buildup and simplify sanitizing. Take inspiration for your home cook space by selecting resilient smooth materials. Metal, polished stone, and glass thrive with frequent cleaning. Solid surface options resist stains. New antimicrobial finishes inhibit bacterial growth. Smooth
