Make room for food preparation on your kitchen worktop

A kitchen can have plenty of cupboards and still feel awkward when there is nowhere to put a chopping board. Before changing the layout, look at the worktop you already have. Giving everyday food preparation a clear stretch of surface can make the room easier to use.

Example picture: made by computer to show a kitchen with a clear worktop area for preparing food. Colours on screen are a guide.

Start with an ordinary meal

Think about what happens when you make lunch or get dinner ready. Where do the vegetables land? Where do you put a bowl while you open the fridge? Which things have to move before you can begin?

The answers often reveal the most useful place to keep clear. It should feel comfortable to stand there, with space to reach the cupboards you use. Avoid choosing a patch that becomes a landing place for an opening door or makes someone squeeze past the cook.

Try moving loose items around before deciding on any permanent changes. Preparing a familiar meal will tell you more than looking at an empty kitchen.

Give the kettle its own place

A kettle, mugs and tea tin can gradually spread across the main preparation surface. Bringing them together at an end of the worktop may leave the middle free for cooking. Choose a position where making a drink does not interrupt someone using the hob or sink.

Keep electrical items in a suitable position for their sockets and follow their instructions about water, heat and clearance. Avoid trailing leads across the area where you prepare food.

The same approach helps with everyday clutter. Give letters, keys and shopping bags a home away from the worktop. Keep the utensils you reach for nearby, but put occasional items back in a cupboard.

Let the surface feel calm

A busy pattern can make a worktop look crowded even when it is clear. If you are replacing yours, compare quieter finishes such as Plain Light Grey or White Speckle Effect. Pale Washed Oak Effect offers a warmer look if you prefer a wood effect.

Look at samples beside your door colour and under your own kitchen lighting. Check how the pattern looks across the area you want to use, rather than judging it against lots of accessories. You can browse the worktop range before a home visit.

Leave decorative touches towards the ends of a run. A plant near the window can make the kitchen welcoming without occupying the place where you roll out pastry or unpack ingredients.

Keep the useful parts of your kitchen

If the cabinet layout works and the units are sound, a whole new kitchen may not be needed. Kitchens MK can replace doors and worktops on existing cabinets. Keeping good cabinets is also the environmentally friendly choice.

A clear preparation area is worth discussing during the design visit. Explain where you normally cook and what gets in your way. Kitchens MK brings door and worktop samples to your free, no-obligation home visit, then emails the quote so you can decide in your own time.

To explore a refresh around the way you cook, book a free home visit. You can also try the kitchen visualiser to explore the look you would like.