Kitchen plan
Measuring, a layout of work zones from storage to sink to stove, light over the countertop and outlets worth thinking about before the renovation.
the kitchen, where the home lives: a guide to setting up and caring for it
Domzhizn: the kitchen, where the home lives
A kitchen is rarely just a room for cooking. It is where people grab breakfast on the run, do homework, unpack groceries, argue about plans and linger with guests. That is why how well it works sets the mood for the whole home. We explain how to think through work zones and lighting, where to find room for storage, how to renovate a kitchen without needless chaos, what you can fix yourself and how to care for the countertop, sink, range hood and cabinet fronts.
A good kitchen is one where your hands find what they need on their own, and the table makes you want to stay a little longer.
Where to start
Repairs without chaos
Small jobs you can handle yourself: fresh sealant around the sink, even cabinet doors, a clean range hood filter, plus a clear line where you need a pro.
Care and cleaning
How to treat wood, stone and laminate, the sink, tile, oven and hardware so the kitchen looks fresh for longer.
The kitchen and the table
Ideas for small kitchens, open-plan kitchens and kitchens in older homes, plus the dining table as the place where the family gathers.
Guide sections
- Materials
Countertops, cabinet fronts, backsplash, sink, hardware and kitchen lighting: what to look for when choosing. Our article list is here too.
- Ideas
Ideas for different kitchens: small, open to the living room, in an older home, with a window by the sink and with a dining table.
- How-to
How to renew the sealant around the sink, adjust cabinet doors and clean the grease filter of the range hood.
- Planning
The order of a kitchen renovation: measuring, work zones, lighting and outlets, work by professionals, sequence of work and final check.
- Tools
What to keep on hand for measuring, small repairs and kitchen care: from a tape measure and level to soft cloths.
- Care
Caring for countertops, the sink, range hood, oven, tile grout, cabinet fronts and the dining table, by season and by situation.
- FAQ
Answers about the guide, about renovating and setting up a kitchen and about safety around gas, electricity and water.
Example: a fresh look at your kitchen in one evening
Walk your usual route
Cook something simple and watch yourself: how you move from the fridge to the sink, from the sink to the stove and back. Notice where you have to step around a chair, an open door or a family member.
Mark the cramped and dark spots
Write down where you work in your own shadow, where there is no room to set down a pot or a cutting board and where cabinet doors get in each other's way.
Check the outlets and the light over the countertop
See whether there are enough outlets where you actually plug in the kettle and small appliances, and whether extension cords run across the sink. Moving outlets later is a job for an electrician.
Clear one shelf
Pick one shelf or drawer and remove everything you have not used in a long time. Give the freed-up space to things that are currently sitting on the countertop.
Write down three annoyances
Put into words what bothers you most. This short list becomes the basis for rearranging, a small repair or a future plan for a bigger makeover.
The essentials in brief
Do you sell kitchens?
No. Domzhizn is an independent guide. We do not sell furniture or appliances, do not design kitchens to order and do not carry out work; we explain how to think through your own kitchen calmly and take care of it.
Can I move the stove myself?
Not a gas stove: it is connected, moved and serviced only by the gas service or a certified specialist. An electric range can be moved only after an electrician confirms that the circuit and outlet in the new spot are suitable.
Can I join the kitchen with another room?
That is a remodel, and it is done under the established rules; rules differ by country. If the kitchen has gas, there are usually more restrictions. Ask your building management or a specialist about the process before you take anything down.
What should I clean my countertop with?
Whatever the maker of your material allows. Wood, stone and laminate react differently to water, abrasives and chemicals, so check the instructions first and test any new product on an inconspicuous spot.
About the project
A different site used to run on this domain, and later it was taken over by unrelated spam pages. Their content has not survived, we do not restore or reproduce it, and this guide has no connection to it. The name comes from the domain.
Domzhizn is written for people who spend more time in the kitchen than in any other room: young families and new homeowners, owners of small kitchens in older buildings, and anyone planning to update their kitchen who wants to speak the same language as the tradespeople. We describe steps and signs to look for, not purchases.
Read next
- Planning
The order of a kitchen renovation: measuring, work zones, lighting and outlets, work by professionals, sequence of work and final check.
- Care
Caring for countertops, the sink, range hood, oven, tile grout, cabinet fronts and the dining table, by season and by situation.
- Ideas
Ideas for different kitchens: small, open to the living room, in an older home, with a window by the sink and with a dining table.
What we rely on
- Instructions from furniture, appliance and material manufacturers
- Building management rules and local remodeling regulations
- Domzhizn editorial materials
Domzhizn advice is written in general terms and based on the instructions of furniture, appliance and material manufacturers and on widely accepted kitchen safety rules. Check the manual for how to clean a specific surface or service an appliance, ask your building management about remodeling, and leave gas, electrical work and water connections to professionals.