Counter Intelligence: Maximizing Kitchen Counter Space

About a year and a half ago, when I started a major kitchen remodel, I relied heavily on my architect's advice for kitchen layout. She knew all of the tricks of kitchen design - how many inches the refrigerator should be from the island, how close the sink should be to the stove, that sort of thing. Thanks to her advice, I've got a fantastic kitchen that's fun to cook in and also perfect for entertaining.

After a long remodel, I also have done a lot of thinking about what makes a kitchen really great. Here are some examples of usable - and fantastic-looking - kitchens:

Kit Pollard

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I must be drawn to really clean counters (probably because I don't have them) - because I also love this tiered counter that provides space for vases and knicknacks, but keeps them out of the way of the chef. Plus, I just think this is a great example of a small kitchen making the most of counter space. The organization - the tight triangle of stove, sink and fridge - is perfectly usable. The counter next to the stove isn't great for chopping, but it is an ideal spot to set ingredients ready for cooking and the long expanse of counter to the right of the sink provides enough space even for two.

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This is just a smart use of an island. It's great prep space and space for entertaining - plus, storing cookbooks below makes them easy to grab (and keeps them from piling up on the counters).

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I love these shelves because they add personality to the space without cluttering up the countertops. It's a perfect compromise between open, usable counter space and cool decor.

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This is an interesting choice, but I think I like the burners set into the open part of the peninsula. It gives the whole space an inviting feel - plus it makes that corner between the sinks and stove really usable (I also love the chalkboard). And it's got a lot of YouTube potential - I can definitely imagine a home-grown cooking show filmed here!

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This outdoor kitchen may look more like a bar than an actual kitchen, but even though it's small, the round shape makes it super usable. Plus, what a great place for a sunset drink. I hope they've got a great blender!

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I love curved counters - I think they're very cool and interesting. In this kitchen, I especially like how the curve of the counter echoes the curve of the window. Plus, look how much great prep space there is here - the curved island could be dedicated entirely to serving food and the chef would still have more than enough counter space for prep.

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This tiered counter really works for me. It's great usable space for the cook, but it's also perfectly social. I love the idea of working in the kitchen while friends and family hang out with a drink and entertain me...without getting in my way.

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While having the laundry in the kitchen can be tough to pull off, visually, I think this really works. The short wall of cabinets provide more than enough space to hide offending detergents. Plus, the neat countertop over the washer and dryer could serve dual purposes - for laundry and for kitchen space.

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A freestanding island is also a good use of space, especially in a larger kitchen like this one. I like the use of marble countertops and the contrast with the cool orange stools. I also think this is a good way to transfer the sink to the island. Sometimes I see islands with sinks that are too far away from the rest of the appliances, but since this one's just across from the oven, the prep area fits neatly together.

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A peninsula is always an efficient way to add counter space - and to effectively divide an open kitchen from other living areas. I really like this combination of wood and stainless steel - not to mention the cute, space-age stools.