When we need it right away the design and specialize, there’s one person we’ve always looked up to: Emily Henderson. She has an unparalleled ability to create rooms with effortless flow, and her eye for accessible, modern pieces is enviable (and worthy of praise). Fan-girling on Instagram). And while we like to live in every space she designs, there’s a quicker way to experience Emily’s interior magic: her latest book, New design rules.
If there’s one thing Emily’s book makes clear, it’s this: learn the rules and make them your own. While interior design can come with an air of fear, Emily emphasizes an easy and authentic approach. According to her, this book is for everyone, (“all design lovers of any level,” is her exact word). New design rules provides a glossary of construction vocabulary and in which Emily distills the renovation process to help you communicate with your contractors (“so you don’t discriminate”) and achieve success in home repair.
But of course, a complete home renovation is a huge undertaking (as Camille knew well). So today, we’re going to feature a snippet of Emily’s expertise and tap into her for tips on designing kitchen layouts. Continue reading our exclusive Q&A with Emily and an excerpt from her book where she shares all the good things about optimizing kitchen work.
Psst… Want more details about Emily’s expert? Pick up a copy of New design rules today!
picture above of Lauren Conrad’s kitchenvia Justin Coit
Photo of Brian and Jessie De Lowe’s kitchen by Michelle Nash
If we don’t have a background in design, what can we do to build confidence before taking on a project?
Step one is really where most people get numb and they stop before they start. The truth is that you may be attracted to a combination of styles. And yes, mix your combine styles with one partner’s Combining styles is really challenging (and mind-melting). But it can be done and it will make your home look more like yours.
Think about the styles that you most often attract, whether it’s farmhouse modern, traditional, mid-century modern, etc., or a combination of them.
Just know that all styles can be mixed together if you have a consistent color palette.
Photo of Diana Ryu’s Kitchen via Teal Thomsen
This book was born out of your own frustrations during the remodeling process. What advice would you share with an innovator?
Don’t chase trends when it comes to permanent finishes. Take risks, but be really careful when researching your long-term finishing trends like tiles, floors, windows, or architectural details. If you’re as nervous as I usually do, then think about taking your risk in the lighting, furniture and decor (elements that don’t require a demo and hire someone to change).
Photo of Blake and Sarah Smith’s Kitchen by Michelle Nash
New design rules empowers readers to make their own rules. How can they follow these principles and learn to trust their own taste?
The “rules” exist because they work and often look good. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bend (or even break) them and take risks! One of the most important things I’ve learned is that the “rules” and knowledge of “what’s right” tend to limit my creativity and confusion. I want you to know the rules so you can make a more informed decision to break them. The result is a home that is functional, enjoyable and represents YOU.
Photo of Aran Goyoaga’s kitchen by Michelle Nash
What are a few strategies to stay on budget (or below!) when remodeling?
There are plenty of ways to update your kitchen without a full gutter (and $$$) renovation. Custom cabinets will be your #1 expense possibly in your entire renovation. So, if there’s ANY way you can preserve your corpse and the layout of your cupboard, try that first.
These days you can paint them or simply replace the fronts from companies like Manual sale, saving you tens of thousands of dollars. Also, hardware, lighting updates, faucet updates, and even painting or adding a simple backsplash can do a LOT.
Photo of Ashley Robertson’s Kitchen via Matti Gresham
What should homeowners do Before entering the kitchen?
Whenever you are renovating, you should first consider your specific lifestyle and needs. For the kitchen, ask yourself the following:
- How often do you actually cook?
- Are there many cooks in your family?
- Do you entertain a lot?
- Do you have kids?
These are important questions that will help you learn how to design the kitchen layout that works best for you.
For high utility spaces like the kitchen, think practicality first, style second.
Capture the moments when you’re willing to take a stylistic risk (backlash versus backlash?) and do it. A 100% utilitarian kitchen can become generic, so I wanted to prioritize how the family would use it on a daily basis, then make more stylistic choices in less important areas (eg. : lighting, hardware, backsplash and accessories).
Photo of Meredith Lamme’s kitchen via Kate Zimmerman Turpin
How to design a kitchen layout, according to Emily Henderson
If you’re getting ready for a kitchen remodel or update, I want to reach out to this book and give you a big hug, as you’ll probably need it. I know I can.
Kitchen renovation is where you’ll likely spend the most money and feel the most stress, but ultimately, it’s also where you’ll spend the most time (skipping the living room). No wonder they call it the heart of the house. It’s also the space that will bring the most value to your property in the long run, which requires you to make some pretty big, very long-term decisions.
If you have a classic home, you might want to consider the layout — move or remove the walls to open up tight spaces and make the room easier to move around. But that will not only cost you money but also time, of which you will face a lot of takeout nights.
Until you can achieve your dream kitchen, you’ll likely be happy with a simple update. Consider buying new appliances, repainting cabinets, replacing lids with open shelving, and even adding a new wall and countertop.
Lots of decisions – no pressure! I’m here to help you get through it.
Photo of Cathy Poshuta’s kitchen via Teal Thomsen
Display the kitchen
Let’s start with how your kitchen is set up or how you want it set up. More specifically, where does everything in your kitchen live? Most designers default to the KITCHEN TRIANGLE RULE, which places the three main appliances — the sink, the refrigerator, and the hob — all within a triangle. This often-obsessed layout was invented to make cooking easy and efficient, but there are many instances where I’ve come across where this rule is better broken.
So, if triangles aren’t the be-all and end-all of a kitchen layout, how else can you consider layout your cooking space? I’m glad you asked.
Photo of Kate Zimmerman Turpin’s Sunday House’s Kitchen via Kate Zimmerman Turpin
Before you land on a kitchen layout, consider:
How much do you actually cook? If you are the “make food from scratch” type of person, then you will have different layout needs than a quick cook.
Are there often multiple kitchens? If so, you’ll want to make sure you guys don’t stack.
Do you have a lot of entertainment? Think about where you want guests to hang, and if it makes sense to keep your island free of a stove or sink to make room for a cheese plate instead.
Do you have kids? If so, prioritize hosting. Give yourself a large pantry and reserve the bottom drawers for everyday dishes and glassware so the kids can help themselves.
Will your island be used to eat? Or do you prefer a small kitchen table that can act as a place to do homework for the kids? (Hey, breakfast corner.)
How clear do you like your countertops to be? This is where you can review an appliance garage and have easy access to oils, spices and cooking utensils. Find a hidden (but convenient) place for everything.
Photo of Alex McCabe’s Kitchen via Nikole Ramsay
Landing your final layout:
The three most common kitchen layouts include open concept, galley and U-shaped.
Open concept: Who needs boundaries? The layout that reigned for decades, the open concept kitchen allows for easy circulation to the living spaces. But this layout is starting to fall out of favor because of the lack of privacy. It’s also hard to hide the mess.
Galley: A more traditional layout, the gallery is starting to return to trend with those wanting more separation between spaces. If you love to cook with all things, then the showroom could be for you with two walls where you can house tons of cabinets. Think about adding a skylight or a window, or opening one end of the kitchen to keep the space from feeling too dark.
Letter U: With three walls for your cabinets and appliances, this could be the Goldilocks of the layout. Working in that kitchen triangle works in your favor, gaining more floor space and enjoying some privacy while still feeling connected to the rest of the house.
“Reprinted from New Design Rules” Copyright © 2022 Emily Henderson with Jessica Cumberbatch-Anderson. Image copyright © 2022 by Sara Ligorria-Tramp. Produced and styled by Velinda Hellen. Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Random House. “
