The word ‘kitchen’ actually refers to any place where cooking food is done. Kitchens can be found all over the world, both big and small, and are the heart of the home. Kitchens can be decorated in many different ways, but most commonly they are decorated with some type of stove, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, and some type of garbage can or other storage area. In many homes today it is impossible to find a home without a kitchen. Kitchens are used for making food, washing dishes, baking food, cooking meals, grinding meat, opening bottles or bags, and many other uses.

Most kitchens today have countertops that consist of a flat surface, either wooden or marble, a cook top, and a refrigerator or freezer. There will also be one or two drawers for storage purposes. Countertop and cabinetry styles can be modern, contemporary, or traditional in design. There are many different sizes, styles, and materials of cabinets and countertops to choose from. Most kitchen cabinets are made of solid wood, while most countertop and cabinet surfaces are made of either glass or laminate. There are several different cabinet types, including pedestal, vertical, and u-shaped.

The work triangle is the main design concept that pervades all kitchen designs. The work triangle refers to the central imaginary triangle which each of the appliances forms around. This imaginary triangle is what makes up the kitchen and is usually the same shape as the countertop.

The most popular kitchen layout involves the center island in the middle of the room with a sink, stove, and refrigerator on each side of this central island. This setup is called the kitchen layout of thirds. Other common kitchen layouts include the long side of the kitchen being used for food preparation and storage area. The long side may also include a dishwasher or garbage disposal appliance. The shorter side of the kitchen is used for storage of food and appliances. If more space is needed than this kitchen layout can be used.

A popular trend in kitchens today is the use of freestanding cabinets or walls for storage. This saves countertop space because the cabinets are out of the way. Cabinets are available in a variety of styles and sizes. It is best to measure the space you have available before selecting cabinets. Many new homes and even older homes are being built with a freestanding wall cabinet. A cabinetless kitchen design eliminates the need for any cabinet doors.

L-shaped or hutch kitchens are becoming very popular in kitchens. A hutch kitchen consists of two or more cabinets aligned along a common wall. This type of cabinetry layout work well in smaller areas because there is more room between cabinets. L-shaped kitchen cabinets can be purchased in a wide variety of styles and finishes.