Inspired by Masterchef and feel a chef's kitchen could help take your cooking to a whole new level? It could be that designing your kitchen more like a professional won't just lead to better food, but also to an improvement in your lived-in experience.
From layout to appliances, there are a number of different strategies you can employ if chef's kitchen ideas are the inspiration behind your kitchen design plans. And, when executed well, we reveal how a chef's kitchen concept can be beneficial, even if you aren't in the running for the Bake-Off apron just yet.
So grab a drink, sit back, and browse through our menu of suggestions to see how your chef's kitchen dream could become reality.
1. Layout is the most important factor in a chef's kitchen
We asked a range of kitchen experts and designers to define the one thing that separates a domestic kitchen from a commercial kitchen and the answer was unanimous. It's the kitchen layout that matters most.
“Really it comes down to the layout and the design, with the main part being the flow," says Alex Main, director at Main. "For a kitchen space to flow well, it’s about putting the right equipment in the right places. It’s all about making cooking simple at home, without too much fuss. You want the workspaces to feel right so that you’re not running around in circles," he adds.
"Careful consideration must be made to ensure movement is efficient," agrees Sam Harris, senior interior designer at Ashford Kitchens & Interiors. "You’ll often see larger kitchen islands, walkways and more dedicated prep areas than in a standard family kitchen."
“Layout will always come first, as even the most impressive appliances can’t compensate for a kitchen that doesn’t function well," he continues. "A well-designed layout creates efficiency between the key working areas – preparation, cooking, cleaning and storage."
It's something that even a professional chef agrees with, as Peter Sidwell, professional chef and Symphony brand ambassador explains. "A chef’s kitchen isn’t about looking professional – it’s about working professionally. It’s a space designed around how you actually cook, not just how it looks in photos.
"Everything has a purpose, everything is within reach and nothing gets in the way," he continues. "The biggest difference between a chef’s kitchen and a standard kitchen is intent – a chef’s kitchen is built to be used day in, day out, and to make cooking feel easier, calmer and more enjoyable.”
Alex Main is director at Main, a family-run company that has been creating highly individual bespoke kitchens that are full of personality and unique style since the 1970s. The family business has built up its knowledge from the vast experience gained from trading within the national and international markets.
Sam is passionate about designing dream kitchens, bedrooms, and home living spaces that reflect each client’s unique lifestyle. His creativity and meticulous attention to detail ensure every design is both beautiful and practical – a space clients will love living in for years to come.
Professional Chef and Symphony Brand Ambassador, Peter Sidwell offers his expert insights on how to transform a home kitchen into a professional-grade culinary environment. Drawing on years of experience, Sidwell provides practical guidance for creating a space that is both highly functional and inspiring, helping home cooks improve their cooking results.
2. Allow for plenty of preparation space
Second on the list of chef's kitchen must-haves is preparation space. While it's important to have sufficient kitchen worktops in any kitchen, if cooking lots is key, then specify extra worktop space when working with your kitchen designer.
“When it comes to the non-negotiables that every chef’s kitchen should have, regardless of budget or space, it’s good prep space – an uninterrupted worktop where you can properly chop, mix and assemble," says Peter Sidwell.
“The biggest kitchen design mistakes people make is designing it like a showroom instead of a workspace," he continues. "Too often, kitchens are built around kitchen trends rather than habits.
“The most un-chef-like thing I see in home kitchens is tiny prep areas squeezed between appliances," he notes. "Chefs think in surfaces first and everything else comes after.”
In terms of where you need space, it's not just anywhere either. "What matters is usable space, especially around the hob, kitchen sink and main preparation area," advises Charlotte Butler, kitchen design manager at BK Eleven.
Sam Harris' top tip? "Prep sinks on islands are an excellent addition for keen cooks, while oversized islands provide valuable workspace for both preparation and entertaining," he says.
Charlotte is Kitchen Design Manager at BK Eleven, with a background in hotel interiors and a degree in Interior Design. Since moving into bespoke handmade kitchens in 2014, she has built over 14 years of experience shaping kitchens that resolve day-to-day use as carefully as their visual character
3. Pay extra attention to your kitchen storage plans
If your kitchen is for quick family dinners or breakfast on the go, you'll likely be able to manage with fairly standard concealed kitchen storage ideas. However, if you love to cook, bake and entertain, you'll need to think more carefully about the type of storage you'll need.
“Storage is one of the defining features of a successful chef’s kitchen," agrees Sam Harris. "The aim is to keep surfaces clear while ensuring everything remains easily accessible.
"Walk-in pantries, breakfast cupboards or even bantries are also increasingly popular if space allows, as they help to conceal clutter while keeping everyday items close to hand. We believe good storage should feel almost invisible," he says.
“Things like a slim bin and different compartments for waste work well in a chef’s kitchen," adds Alex Main. "Also use cupboards built into the island for big equipment like mixers and toasters. This means the kitchen itself is quite minimalistic and easy to navigate."
So why does storage in a chef's kitchen matter so much? Peter Sidwell says it's so your kitchen can avoid the one key element of a working kitchen that you'd rather not have at home – stress.
“Great storage keeps your worktops and your head clear," he explains. "Deep drawers, internal organisers, pull-outs and larders mean you can see everything at a glance. If you can find what you need instantly, you’ll cook more confidently and with far less stress. I love my pantry, as I can open the doors, see all my ingredients and work out what to cook.
“When your kitchen works properly, you cook more instinctively," he continues. "You’re not constantly adapting or compromising. That freedom lets you focus on flavour, timing and enjoyment, and that’s when home cooking really levels up.”
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4. Kitchen worktops need to be extra durable and up to the job
With extra cooking preparation and potentially a wider range of ingredients and cooking utensils coming into play, your kitchen surfaces also need additional thought when designing a chef-inspired kitchen.
“Worktops make a significant difference because they’re one of the hardest-working surfaces in the kitchen," starts Sam Harris. "Durability, hygiene and maintenance are just as important as appearance.
"Quartz and porcelain surfaces are a great option due to their durability and low-maintenance. They’re non-porous, highly resistant to stains and scratches, and better suited to the demands of everyday kitchen use, while still offering a premium finish.”
“Surfaces also need to be chosen for the way the kitchen will be used every day. In a chef’s kitchen, worktops have to cope with chopping, hot pans, plating, cleaning and constant use, so materials such as quartz, porcelain, stainless steel or natural stone can all be appropriate," adds Charlotte Butler, "depending on the look and the level of maintenance the homeowner is comfortable with.”
“Worktop style also helps define the character of the room," notes Alex Main, so it's important to make sure the type of worktop you choose still falls in line with your kitchen design ideas.
"A thick solid wood worktop can introduce warmth and craftsmanship, while marble or quartz creates a more refined, contemporary feel," he advises. "In many chef’s kitchens, we often see a combination of materials across different zones to balance practicality with design."
Of course it's not just worktop surfaces that matter though. A busy kitchen will have a high number of contact areas, so you need to choose materials that will cope with this level of contact.
“The materials that feel the most ‘professional’ in a home kitchen are those which are durable, tactile and age well," suggests Peter Sidwell, noting how, "matt finishes, solid cabinetry, and proper handles or pulls," are all worth considering.
"Professional kitchens are built to last and the best home-based chef's kitchens borrow that mindset," he says.
5. Choose your appliances carefully
Although it might be tempting to kit out your kitchen with professional-grade kitchen appliances, this can add substantial amounts to your kitchen costs, and may not be entirely appropriate for a domestic kitchen.
Instead, it's about thinking smarter so you can work harder say the experts.
"I am a keen cook and the things I feel are the most important to me are a good reliable gas hob and a large electric oven," notes Helen Parker, creative director at deVol. While Peter Sidwell agrees that it's about choosing appliances that you'll use every day, not ones that look good but you don't use.
"Pick a reliable oven, a solid hob and good kitchen extraction," advises Peter. "I prefer a hob in the island with built-in downdraft extraction, because it keeps the cook connected with the room rather than facing away from it. Overhyped gadgets tend to promise shortcuts but rarely improve your cooking. Simple, well-made equipment always wins.”
Of course, if you really are at a professional level with your cooking, then you may choose to invest in the latest technology, in which case Alex Main notes how, "for serious cooks, a high-performance cooker or induction system is often the centrepiece.
"Induction cooking has become increasingly popular thanks to its speed, precision, energy efficiency and cleaner aesthetic. A V-ZUG oven is also a great option," he suggests, "due to its minimalist design and advanced technology, particularly in steam cooking," says Alex.
"Boiling water taps, warming drawers and commercial-style extraction systems for better kitchen ventilation can all improve functionality considerably," adds Sam Harris, but when choosing appliances, don't forget that they are only as good as the rest of your kitchen design, says Charlotte Butler.
"They should support the flow of the kitchen rather than lead the design;" she says. "A powerful oven or professional-style hob will only perform at its best if there is generous prep space beside it, strong extraction overhead and the right storage close to hand."
Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens, is the visionary behind the brand's timeless aesthetic, award-winning designs, and iconic pieces like the Sebastian Cox Kitchen and the Curiosity Cupboard.
6. Place extra focus on your kitchen lighting
While you'll never walk into a dark chef's kitchen in professional setting, bright, glaring lights in a home-based one aren't the answer either. So how do you get the lighting right in a chef's kitchen where cooking is so important?
“A chef’s kitchen needs layered lighting that combines task, ambient and accent illumination," says Sam Harris. "And, ideally, the kitchen lighting should be flexible enough to transition from food preparation during the day to entertaining in the evening," he adds.
"Choose task lighting for preparation and cooking areas, ambient lighting to create overall balance and comfort, and accent lighting to highlight cabinetry and shelving," advises Alex Main.
"If you can’t see what you’re doing, you’ll never enjoy cooking," adds Peter Sidwell. "You can have the best appliances in the world, but without lighting in place, the kitchen won’t work," he warns.
Try this kitchen lighting with your chef's kitchen ideas
A rise and fall pendant light can be perfect for creating ambience, or adding more light to your prep areas.
Place this wall light above worktop and prep areas so you can angle it where you need light the most.
FAQs
Does a chef's kitchen need to be big?
It's easy to assume that a chef's kitchen only works if it's generous in size, but in most cases, it's about quality over quantity say our experts.
"Size does matter in a chef’s kitchen, but not necessarily in the way people think," explains Alex Main. "A larger kitchen can certainly create a more comfortable cooking environment, particularly when entertaining or cooking with family or friends. However, what matters most is how the space is designed.
"A well-planned kitchen of any size can function beautifully when the layout is carefully considered. Ultimately, thoughtful design will always outperform unnecessarily large spaces," he says.
"Some of the best chef’s kitchens are surprisingly compact spaces," agrees Sam Harris, "however additional space does allow for features such as larger islands, pantry storage or multiple cooking zones," he notes.
There's also a risk with larger kitchens that haven't been carefully planned, adds Charlotte Butler. "A smaller kitchen can work beautifully if every area has been carefully planned, while a large kitchen can become frustrating if the key working points are too far apart."
What can make a chef's kitchen feel more homely?
"I would like to think a kitchen designer would automatically create functional, useful and beautiful areas within a kitchen for any client," says Helen Parker, "but I also think everyone needs a good kitchen table. For the keen cook, having friends and family around you as you cook and socialise is absolutely paramount to a happy cook and a happy family. The biggest joy of cooking is sharing the time, the food and the experience with other people," she shares.
"Simplicity is the key to a timeless kitchen" adds Helen. "Beautifully made, reliable cupboards and a dedicated pantry area are very important. Pots and pans that will last a lifetime and a beautifully considered lighting arrangement that makes the best of every moment you spend in your kitchen, will all make your kitchen a space you want to spend time in."
Should I have a chef's kitchen and a normal kitchen?
Although it's perfectly feasible to create a chef-style kitchen in one designated room using the above suggestions, if space isn't limited, or you're embarking on a self build or kitchen extension, and are yet to determine your final floorplan, you do have options.
"One of the biggest shifts we’re seeing is towards back kitchens or concealed prep areas," says Sam Harris. "These are spaces that allow the main kitchen to remain calm and uncluttered, while the practical work happens behind the scenes.
"It’s a concept taken directly from professional hospitality designs and increasingly popular in luxury homes," he explains.
Considering a chef's kitchen concept when renovating? Don't forget to consider these key practicalities for any kitchen renovation scheme, and with flooring such an important part of your kitchen design, make sure you avoid these kitchen flooring types in a high-traffic area.
