Coworking Spaces

Shared Kitchen Circulation Design for Coworking Spaces

Give people and equipment a route that remains usable during normal work, arrivals and cleaning.

Explore the ideas
White L-shaped kitchen with gold-tone handles, under-cabinet lighting and a chimney
Kitchen inspiration: an L-shaped work surface and integrated lighting.

Plan in this order

  1. Map separately who enters, what they carry and where they turn or pause.
  2. Move stopping points out of through routes, especially beside doors and intersections.
  3. Put the largest regularly moved item on the plan and trace the full trip, including both ends.
Worked example

Two people prepare breakfast while one repeatedly crosses between the refrigerator and the back door.

Move the snack and drink stop to the room edge and keep the door route behind, rather than through, the hot prep zone.

How to test it

Run two movements at once during the test walk. Note which person must stop, reverse or step into another activity.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Set sink, preparation counter, and appliances in a one-way sequence away from the main lounge seating.
Detail
Choose easy-clean splash surfaces and place bins and dish drying beside the sink, not in the queue.
Trade-off
A larger kitchen improves comfort but reduces rentable work area.
  • Simulate two members preparing food
  • Check appliance doors do not block the route
Parallel kitchen with teal cabinets, a pale backsplash and profile lighting
Kitchen inspiration: two opposing work runs in a compact plan.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
L-shaped kitchen with pale green lower cabinets, white upper cabinets and a tiled backsplash
Kitchen inspiration: a light palette and continuous counter run.
Straight kitchen with sage base cabinets, white wall units and under-cabinet lighting
Kitchen inspiration: a single-wall arrangement with task lighting.

Related design guides

Talk to a Designer