Small homes and studios

Kitchen Circulation Design for Small homes and studios

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

Kitchen inspiration: a single-wall arrangement with task lighting.

Plan in this order

Map separately who enters, what they carry and where they turn or pause.
Move stopping points out of through routes, especially beside doors and intersections.
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: Group cooking and cleanup together and reserve a clear landing surface beside the refrigerator.
Detail: Use compact, full-extension drawers and continuous under-cabinet task light.
Trade-off: Open shelves make a small kitchen feel lighter but expose visual clutter.

The Elixir portfolio

Photographs for design inspiration

Kitchen inspiration: two opposing work runs in a compact plan.