Kitchen design is arguably a relatively recent discipline, thought to come from the early 19th century when ideas on how to optimise the work in the kitchen were written about. These early kitchen design ideas used a system based on early ergonomics; where the workspace is designed to fit the worker for optimum performance.

The initial kitchen design ideas included dedicated storage areas for different and specific food types, use of shelving and hooks for hanging on the walls and enough work space to move around freely. The ideas of separating the cooking area such as the stove from the area used to prepare the food were also discussed.

These initial ideas were built upon over the next few hundred years up to the present day giving us the modern methods of kitchen design and the kitchens many of us are lucky enough to enjoy today, the ideas were developed to ensure a more efficient and enjoyable time in the kitchen and also ensuring they are more aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Kitchen design whilst now being a lot more structured with a number of different layouts to adhere to can also be at the discretion of the kitchen design architect many of which still have the possibility to innovate with their design and layout dependant on the kitchen they are given to work with.

The discipline of Kitchen design has come a long way and in today’s world there are many variations, for example kitchen design now encompasses the social aspect with some encompassing eating areas for buffet style parties when entertaining guest and bars to serve drinks.

There are fitted kitchens which often come in an all in one package of cupboards, shelves, cookers and cabinets and un fitted kitchens for a more un regimented look where the use of free standing removable furniture can be used which can change the look, feel and layout of the kitchen more regularly at a lower cost as would not have to replace the whole kitchen.

Kitchen design is a very interesting topic and would advise further reading either from bookshops or libraries or online, we spend a large percentage of our lives in the kitchen so it is arguably one of the most important areas of the house to be aware of.

Bio 1 : Regency Kitchen Design is a specialist company in this area, for more information on supply only kitchens and buying a new kitchen check out the site.