Two-Cook Kitchens Have Smart Space Chops
Seven Houzz users show off their clever solutions to having two — but not too many — cooks in the kitchen
Whether you live in an apartment with a 25-square-foot kitchen or have a spacious home with hundreds of feet to cook in, odds are you've experienced the complications that come with too many cooks at once. Cramped counter space, a single sink and trying to cook and clean at the same time can wear patience thin.
We asked Houzzers what their single kitchen/multicook solutions are — and these seven kitchens are full of creative ideas to make cooking with more than one person a breeze.
We asked Houzzers what their single kitchen/multicook solutions are — and these seven kitchens are full of creative ideas to make cooking with more than one person a breeze.
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Houzz user Anne Marsden lives in a 1940s bungalow near Atlanta, Georgia. The original kitchen was a tiny galley style typical of homes like hers. She and her boyfriend love to cook — though admittedly, she does more cleaning — and often bring in food from their garden, so they wanted to design a kitchen that would make cooking together easy and efficient.
The long central island was key to organizing this work area. The butcher block top provides plenty of space for two and creates an easy pass-through from one side of the kitchen to the other. Each person gets a side with its own sink to call his or her own — Marsden works on the dishwasher side, and her boyfriend gets the stove side.
The long central island was key to organizing this work area. The butcher block top provides plenty of space for two and creates an easy pass-through from one side of the kitchen to the other. Each person gets a side with its own sink to call his or her own — Marsden works on the dishwasher side, and her boyfriend gets the stove side.
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| Jbroten's recently renovated kitchen shifted from a one-person U-shape layout to a space that can handle two or more cooks with ease. Multiple counter work stations were musts, so two islands anchor the space: one for prep and one that facilitates cleanup. The dishwasher on the sink island also faces the cutlery and plate drawers, making cleanup easier. |
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Ione Victoria of Paradise Interior Design designed this Aptos, California, house for two retired professionals. He likes to cook and she's more of a baker, so Victoria decided to separate the cooking and baking areas by putting the main refrigeration and cleaning equipment in the middle for shared use.
The kitchen has two dishwashers and three sinks, which makes crossing paths almost impossible. Space planning was complicated by the fact that the wife is less than 5 feet tall, while the husband is about 6 feet tall. Victoria had the island lowered toward the baking end so the wife could use it more comfortably.
The kitchen has two dishwashers and three sinks, which makes crossing paths almost impossible. Space planning was complicated by the fact that the wife is less than 5 feet tall, while the husband is about 6 feet tall. Victoria had the island lowered toward the baking end so the wife could use it more comfortably.
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Jamie Walsh's 150-square-foot kitchen in Washington needed something simple to make it a space where she and her husband could hang out and cook. A chair and a cart found at a local garage sale proved to be just the solution.
Now, when the two are in the kitchen together, one person perches in the chair while the other cooks, switching off from time to time. Walsh also had a metal fabrication shop make a stainless steel top for the cart so that it's easy to clean and stays in great shape
Now, when the two are in the kitchen together, one person perches in the chair while the other cooks, switching off from time to time. Walsh also had a metal fabrication shop make a stainless steel top for the cart so that it's easy to clean and stays in great shape
| Sarah Michalowski from Sawhill Kitchens worked with a family of five to design this multiperson Minnesota kitchen. Because they have three active, young children, this couple wanted a space that would allow for five people to sit at the island, do homework and cook — all without interrupting each other. The unique island design allows for easy cooking, cleaning and eating. A prep sink in the middle divides the island into two areas, allowing people to do separate things while still having access to the sink. An appliance garage near the refrigerator allows kids to make smoothies without disrupting the workflow, and the desk stays out of the traffic route but in plain view. |
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| When Houzz user Sue Hausmann remodeled her Ohio kitchen, she wanted it to be an open and easy-to-use space for her and her husband. The sink, with three bowls and two faucets, was a simple and straightforward solution. It allows two people to prepare food or clean up at the same time. Plenty of counter space, an open layout, a full-size refrigerator and freezer, and a double-drawer dishwasher help too. |
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| Neal Nesbit of Shoreline Cabinet Company also designed this Wilmington, North Carolina, kitchen with two islands intended as separate work and entertaining spaces. One island has a prep sink and easy access to the refrigerator, range and main sink. The other island faces the dining area and has a beverage center, making it suitable for hosting guests away from the workflow. Separate cooktops allow two people to cook at once, and a clear path between the island to the sink from the range makes for smooth traffic flow. Have a two-cook (or more) kitchen? Tell us about it below! |
Ideabook published on Aug. 10, 2012.
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We moved the fridge, coffee maker, snacks, bar and storage for table settings and added a 2nd sink to the 4th wall that was not part of the original U-shaped kitchen. This really helps to keep extra bodies out of the main work areas, while still allowing for helping hands and gabbing with the cook. We've incorporated so many great ideas from HOUZZ...invaluable resource!!
I think I could fit my entire apartment in the rest of these kitchens. Seriously, when I see photos such as these, what comes to mind is that they are merely showcases to sell cabinets, refrigerators, etc.
And while they might look very sleek when laid out like this, the reality is this: in real life people will end up using the enormous, excessive amount of counter space (most, from what I can see, are not really planned for people who cook or bake a lot - I do, and while I hate my old apartment kitchen, these kitchens would wear me out), there is the temptation to use it - for stuff. You know the stuff I speak of - mail, dirty dishes (because the dishwasher is always full), groceries (that somehow don't get put away), the sweaters and coats that should hang in a closet, books, and so much more. Believe me - I've seen it. I used to work for someone who had a showroom kitchen similar to these and it was always a mess. Which brings me to something else - the more impractical space you allot for the kitchen, the harder it is to maintain neatness and harder still to clean.
Of course, if one has hired help, none of this applies.
To those looking, do a search on small kitchens in Houzz, there are a few listed that may offer some ideas.
another sink added.
You can read about our planning here:
http://www.dejongdreamhouse.com/2012/02/pre-move-in-kitchen-tour-and.html