There is a growing trend in the kitchen design industry across Europe, known as the Intelligent Kitchen (Hettich) or Dynamic Kitchen (Blum), inspired by the concepts developed by the Modern Kitchen Workgroup (AMK). This movement focuses on creating more efficient and user-friendly kitchens by rethinking how space is used and organized.
The AMK is a group of German kitchen design experts who have dedicated their work to maximizing both efficiency and ergonomics in the kitchen. Their research has identified **five key zones** that, when properly designed, significantly improve the functionality and comfort of any kitchen space.
Here’s a closer look at these five essential kitchen zones:
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### Why Do Zones Matter?
Think of your daily kitchen activities like a workout. On average, a person walks to and from the table over 30 times a day. They open and close drawers, doors, and cabinets more than 80 times. And there are over 50 different tasks—like chopping, slicing, or spreading butter—that happen in the kitchen every day. In a four-person household, someone might spend up to two hours a day walking, stopping, bending, and stretching in the kitchen.
From an ergonomic perspective, base units with shelves are not ideal because it's hard to find items you can't see. Bending, stretching, and digging through cabinets to find something is inefficient and tiring.
The solution? Use drawers and pullouts that let you see and reach what you need quickly and comfortably. Full-extension drawers make perfect sense—they allow you to access everything, even the items at the back.
Place frequently used items in the “middle†zone, between your shoulders and hips, while less-used items can go above or below this area.
An intelligent or dynamic kitchen design helps reduce unnecessary movement, improves workflow, and offers practical, stylish storage solutions. When done right, you can increase storage capacity by up to 55% per drawer or unit.
### What Are the 5 Kitchen Zones?
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#### Zone 1: Food Storage
This zone is all about keeping provisions out of the way but still within easy reach. The goal is to streamline your workflow by reducing distances and saving time on daily tasks.
Tall, full-extension units help you organize your food storage so that commonly used items are easily accessible without bending. Mid-level drawers can be pulled out separately for better visibility and access. Everything should be visible and reachable with ease.
#### Zone 2: Food Preparation
This is where your cooking tools and ingredients should be located—close to your stove and under wall cabinets. The idea is to keep everything you need for meal prep within arm’s reach.
Consider adding spice racks, full-extension pullouts, and other storage solutions to keep oils, condiments, and spices organized and visible. A spice kitchen renovation could be a great way to implement this zone effectively.
#### Zone 3: Pots and Pans
A well-organized pan drawer is essential for a functional kitchen. Deep, wide drawers are perfect for bulky items like pots and pans, while shallow drawers under the oven are ideal for baking sheets and trays.
A deep drawer with a high back and closed sides keeps your cookware secure and neatly stacked. You can also add narrow compartments to hold lids upright, making them easier to find and use.
#### Zone 4: Cleaning and Waste
The area around the sink is ideal for storing cleaning supplies and waste. Base-unit pull-outs are great for towels, sponges, and cleaning agents, while large drawers can hold buckets and mops.
An under-sink drawer is a smart way to maximize storage space for all your cleaning essentials.
#### Zone 5: China and Cutlery
This zone should be located near the cleaning area to minimize the distance you walk when unloading the dishwasher or putting dishes away.
Drawers with built-in organizers help you store cutlery, plates, and other kitchen tools efficiently. Wall cabinets with open-front doors make it easier to access items quickly and safely. Pull-down systems are also a great option for optimizing vertical space.
At Laurysen, we apply the 5 Zones principles along with the kitchen work triangle and other design strategies to create beautiful, functional kitchens. Combining this with our passion for craftsmanship, we ensure that every kitchen we design isn’t just stunning—it’s also practical and easy to use.
Explore our design galleries to see how we bring these ideas to life.
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