ZONES & FLOW

This page looks at how the kitchen is arranged and used.

It focuses on how activities are grouped, how items are placed in relation to use, and how movement through the space supports daily routines.

Zones

Kitchen zones are defined by activity rather than layout.

Common zones include:

• food preparation

• cooking

• storage

• cleanup

• shared or transitional areas

Zones don’t need to be separate rooms or surfaces. They often overlap and adjust based on household needs.

Flow

Flow refers to how people move through the kitchen during the day.

This includes:

• how often areas are accessed

• who uses them

• what tasks happen at the same time

Good flow reduces unnecessary movement and makes shared use easier, especially in busy households.

Adaptation

Not every kitchen includes a dedicated command center or built-in workspace.

In this kitchen, one cabinet functions as a shared command area, with an upper section used for household organization and a lower section designated as a child-accessible craft space.

This approach keeps daily coordination and creative activity contained within a single vertical zone, rather than spreading supplies across multiple surfaces.

The placement allows:

• adult use at eye level

• child access at lower height

• shared use without overlap

Access and Use

Zones work best when items are stored close to where they’re used.

Frequently accessed items are placed within easy reach.
Shared zones are kept simple to support multiple users.
Lower zones are designed for independent access when appropriate.

These choices support smoother transitions throughout the day.

Adjustment Over Time

Zones and flow change as routines change.

As schedules, ages, and household needs shift, zones are reassessed and adjusted rather than fixed permanently.

Use

Zones and flow are not about layout rules.

They are about observing how the kitchen is used and arranging the space to support that use.