In this episode of Love Your Kitchen, host Faye Newman records live at Grand Designs Live (Birmingham) with designer Luke Wedgberry (Founder & CEO Coalville Kitchens ltd, owner Kutchenhaus Lutterworth, KBSA board member) to unpack how to plan kitchen flow for the modern home. Together, they show how thoughtful kitchen design, from layout and zoning to appliance placement, creates spaces that look great and work brilliantly for everyday cooking, entertaining, families, pets, and future needs.

Key Takeaways

Start with a discovery session. Before any kitchen renovation or kitchen remodel, map real life: who uses the kitchen, how often you cook, what you cook, where mess happens, and what currently annoys you. That insight generates practical kitchen ideas tailored to you.

The ‘working triangle’ is outdated. Modern kitchens juggle hobs, ovens, freezers, pantries and more; think flexible “work zones” instead, prep, cooking, cleaning, storage, especially vital in a small kitchen.

Zone open-plan spaces. Define the kitchen with an island or peninsula; use rugs, colour, lighting, furniture placement and acoustics to guide movement and reduce noise. Tell your designer about existing tables or stools so dimensions and flow are right.

Design storage for how you cook. Label planned cabinets by contents (pans, daily crockery, spices). Where wall units are limited (e.g., hob on island), use deep drawers with spice inserts or a spice rack beside the hob for better kitchen organisation.

Choose tech that truly helps. Smart kitchen upgrades like downdraft hobs (clear sightlines), combi-microwaves (faster roasts), frost-free freezers (no defrosting), and boiling-water taps (replace kettles; add chilled/sparkling options) can be valuable parts of a smart kitchen, buy for usefulness, not gimmicks.

Best Moments

“It’s not a triangle anymore, it’s a set of zones that reflect how you actually live and cook.”

“Dishwasher on the dominant-hand side of the sink; bin, sink, dishwasher, systemise it and life gets easier.”

“Use islands, rugs, colour and furniture to direct flow and create that instant ‘wow’.”

“Buy tech that earns its space: downdraft hobs, combi-microwaves, frost-free freezers, boiling-water taps, choose upgrades that genuinely help.”

About the Host

Faye Newman is a freelance Kitchen Designer with eight years of experience in the industry. With a background in furniture design and a passion for creating spaces that reflect the essence of the home, Faye brings a unique perspective to kitchen design. Her dedication to client satisfaction and love for her craft shines through in every project she undertakes.

Connect with Faye Newman Design:

Visit: www.fayenewmandesign.com for kitchen inspiration and design resources.

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