Functional interior design and gorgeous elements are two pieces of the puzzle that at MMID we blend together to create a kitchen that truly sings. We often spend a lot of time in our kitchen, and poor functionality can become a huge source of frustration, even amid the most beautiful designs. Here are my best strategies for creating a gorgeous yet functional kitchen design.

For A Functional Kitchen Design, Give Everything A Place 

When it comes to functional interior design, the age-old adage is true: you should have a place for everything and everything in its place. When an item has a home, it’s more likely to be put away, remain organized, and reduce stress-inducing clutter. In our All That Gloss and Glass project, creating a serene and calm aesthetic was important to our clients. The first step in that process was ensuring everything had its own home for this kitchen interior design project in the Bay Area. 

Take into account the flow of the kitchen, how you use it, and how you like to access things. Ask yourself questions like, “Can I move around the pantry door when it’s open?” Consider how often you use your countertop appliances and the size of the cabinets where you will store them. From how you prefer to load your dishwasher to making sure your fridge opens in the right direction, when everything has its place, your rhythms and routines can flow easily. Thoughtful touches like outlets where the appliances live or a Kitchen-Aid countertop mixer installed on a lift, like we did at The Grown Up Ranch, truly make the functional kitchen design sing. 

Finishes and Layouts That Can Pull Double Duty

In this day and age, our homes often serve dual purposes for both residents and visitors. Many of my clients have growing families and careers. From a kitchen island that can entertain partners at cocktail hour and provide space for kids to bake cookies to ranges that churn out weeknight dinners as well as showstopping holiday meals, a functional kitchen design should be able to switch roles as easily as you can. 

In our kitchen interior design for the Bay Area project The Grown Up Ranch, the design needed to suit a young family that loved to entertain relatives and friends. Each finish had to stand up to the wear and tear of everyday life but clean up nicely for holidays and special occasions. 

The island was designed to work well for the kids to camp out and finish their homework and double as a space to lay out platters and dishes when entertaining. The client requested worry-free quartz, and I sourced a beautiful Caesar stone countertop that would hold up nicely, no matter the recipe. We chose a concrete-esque pattern with visual depth, and a velvety matte finish, giving it a luxurious look and feel. 

We crafted a coffee and breakfast station, complete with doors, so our clients could easily access what they needed for the morning and easily tuck it all away when guests were over. Our design allowed the clients to hide the cereal, sparkling water dispenser, and coffee-making gear in 3 seconds flat with gorgeous white oak custom cabinetry. 

This kitchen is the perfect example of how you don’t have to sacrifice beauty or luxury when creating a functional interior design. 

A Functional Kitchen Design Works for Everyone 

No one likes to cook alone, and a functional kitchen design needs to work for every family member. And while it’s easy to design with just the chef in mind, other family members will always need to access the kitchen. Whether you enjoy cooking with your partner or want to make sure your little one can pour their own cup of water, no one wants to play bumper cars or feel isolated in the kitchen. 

In the kitchen at our Destination: Home project, we specifically designed the space for a traveling couple that loved to cook together at home. We took a poorly designed kitchen and made it so that both cooks and their guests could enjoy time together. We did this by taking advantage of underutilized space. 

Thanks to the addition of the peninsula and the curved countertop, it’s easier to navigate the space, and guests can enjoy a seat on the bar stools (and their hosts’ company). 

For our projects, the Grown Up Ranch & The Au Naturale Ranch, we made sure to accommodate elderly visiting relatives and ensure they would be comfortable on long stays. We considered visibility or mobility issues, crossing paths, and the height of the storage spaces to make sure the kitchen was accessible for everyone. 

Creating a functional interior design for your kitchen that also radiates with beautiful finishes can be accomplished with forethought, planning, and customization. Ready to explore more inspiration for your home? Read up on our latest projects, the Au Naturel Ranch Part 1 and our Modern Storybook Part 1. MMID creates functional interior design solutions for Bay Area kitchens, blending timeless style with everyday usability.