Should You Put Your Kitchen in the Front of House?

The location of the kitchen in a home is an important decision that impacts function and lifestyle. Recently, more homeowners are embracing the idea of a front-of-house kitchen that connects to main living areas. But is placing the kitchen front right for you?

While once less common, kitchens in the front of the house are gaining popularity for several compelling reasons. An open-concept kitchen toward the front can create a welcoming atmosphere for family meals and casual entertaining. However, there are also benefits to the more conventional layout with the kitchen toward the back.

Below we’ll explore the pros and cons of the kitchen in front of house to help you determine if putting the kitchen up front makes sense for your home.

Why Most Homes Traditionally Had Back-of-House Kitchens

The standard for decades was to tuck the kitchen in the back of the house. Here are some reasons many builders and homeowners favored this layout:

• More Private: Keeping the kitchen separate created a sense of privacy. The sights and smells of cooking were kept away from entertaining areas.
• Dedicated Dining Space: With the kitchen removed from view, it was easy to designate a separate formal dining room.
• Noise Control: By putting kitchen clatter and commotion toward the back, it didn’t interfere with quiet living room activities.
• Work Flow: A back kitchen allows for efficient work triangle flow away from traffic areas. The rear yard acts as a service entrance.

However, priorities and lifestyles have evolved. The rise of open floor plans has led many homeowners to think outside the box when it comes to kitchen placement.

Benefits of Putting the Kitchen at the Front of the House

There are many compelling reasons a homeowner may opt for a kitchen in front layout:

• Fosters Togetherness: An open kitchen design allows the cook to remain engaged with family and guests, making it highly social.
• Enjoys Natural Light: Front placement allows the kitchen to take advantage of ample daylight from street-facing windows.
• Connects Spaces: Eliminates barriers between the kitchen and main living zone for a seamless flow.
• Provides View of Kids Playing: Parents can easily watch kids out front when cooking or cleaning up.
• Showcases Curb Appeal: A front kitchen with nice finishes can enhance the home’s aesthetics as seen from the street.
• Feels Spacious: Removing walls helps the kitchen feel more continuous with the living room or entryway.
• Simplifies Entertaining: Guests can comfortably mingle between the kitchen and living areas during parties.

For many modern families and empty nesters, these benefits outweigh the desire for a private, segregated kitchen space.

Potential Locations for a Front-of-House Kitchen

If you opt to put the kitchen up front, here are some possible layouts:

• Adjoining the Living Room: Open the kitchen up to the living space by removing any dividing wall. Allow it to flow right into the conversation areas.
• Between the Entryway and Living Room: Situate it in the front section of the house that bridges the entryway and the living/family room.
• At One End of a Great Room: In open great room floor plans, the kitchen can anchor one end while the hearth and lounge spaces occupy the other.
• Along the Front Facade: Consider placing the kitchen along the full front width of the house to take advantage of ample windows.

You aren’t limited to just one wall. For example, an L-shaped kitchen could open to both the dining room and living room simultaneously.

Key Design Strategies for Front Kitchens

When planning a kitchen for the front of the house, use these design techniques:

• Transitional Flooring: Use tile, hardwood, or other transitional floors to help the kitchen and living zones flow together smoothly.
• Consistent Finishes: Unify the style by repeating countertop materials, cabinetry finish, hardware, and backsplashes between the kitchen and living room.
• Strategic Islands: Kitchen islands can create a sense of separation between the two spaces while maintaining an open feel.
• Lighting Accents: Use pendant lights, accent lighting, and natural light to define the kitchen area within the open concept.
• Peninsulas for Separation: Extended peninsulas help delineate the kitchen while opening up seating space on the living room side.
• Noise Reduction: Incorporate soft surfaces and fabrics to reduce sounds bouncing between hard surfaces.

With intentional design choices, you can enjoy an open-concept kitchen while still allowing the spaces to feel visually defined.

Should You Choose Front or Back? Key Considerations

Determining the best spot for your kitchen depends on assessing your family’s needs and lifestyle:

• Entertaining Style: Frequent informal gatherings are better suited to open front kitchens, while formal events may prefer a back kitchen.
• Kitchen Use: Avid cooks may want a private work area, while occasional cooks prioritize visibility.
• House Layout: The existing layout and the ability to modify it will factor into kitchen placement.
• View Preferences: A front kitchen showcases the street and yard while a rear kitchen provides garden views.
• House Size: Bigger homes can more easily accommodate open front kitchens, while small homes may need compact rear kitchens.
• Yard Space: Front kitchens are great for keeping an eye on kids playing out front, while rear kitchens monitor backyards.

While once rare, today many new custom homes incorporate open concept front kitchens. The choice ultimately comes down to lifestyle and preferences rather than following outdated traditions. An upfront kitchen creates an inviting, casual environment perfect for many modern families.

Conclusion

More homeowners today are embracing the idea of putting the kitchen at the front of the house may rather than hidden away. An open, front and center kitchen design provides many benefits for family connection, entertainment, and aesthetics. However, a rear kitchen still offers advantages like privacy and separation of spaces.

Ultimately, the optimal kitchen location depends on your individual needs and preferences. If an open, interactive floor plan suits your lifestyle, then joining the kitchen to the main living areas upfront could be an excellent choice. But for those who still value a private work area, the traditional back of house kitchen may be preferable.

Whichever you choose, the kitchen’s layout impacts day-to-day home life. So weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether to take this historic room into the front-and-center position. A thoughtfully designed front-of-house kitchen can become the new lively hub of your home.

FAQs

Where should a kitchen be located in a house?

There is no definitive rule for the best kitchen location in a house. Traditionally, most kitchens were located in the back of the house to keep cooking sights and smells separate from entertaining areas. However, many modern homes feature an open-concept kitchen in the front of the house to foster togetherness and connection.

Ultimately, the ideal kitchen location depends on your lifestyle and preferences. An open front-of-house kitchen creates a more interactive, casual environment great for family meals and informal gatherings. But some homeowners still prefer a private kitchen in the back of the house for uninterrupted cooking. Consider the layout of your home and how you use your spaces when deciding whether to place the kitchen upfront or in the rear.

Is it good to have kitchen at front of house?

Having a kitchen in the front of the house offers many benefits that can be good for certain lifestyles. An open-concept front-of-house kitchen allows the cook to easily interact with family and guests in the living room or dining area. It brings in ample natural light and provides views of kids playing out front. Removing walls between the kitchen and other rooms creates a more inviting, spacious atmosphere.

However, there are also downsides to weigh. Cooking noises, smells, and messes will be more noticeable throughout the front of the house. The lack of privacy may not suit all cooks. Consider your entertaining style and kitchen usage before deciding if an open kitchen in the front makes sense.

Why are kitchens in the back of the house?

Traditionally, most home builders located kitchens in the back of the house for practical reasons. Keeping cooking hidden away provides privacy for the homeowners. It prevents kitchen sights, sounds, and smells from disturbing guests in the living areas. A back-of-house kitchen also allows for a separate formal dining room.

Additionally, a rear kitchen placement enables an efficient work triangle away from heavy foot traffic. Delivery and service access is simpler from the backyard. However, for modern open floor plans, these practical advantages are sometimes outweighed by a desire for a brighter, more social front-of-house kitchen.

Where should the kitchen be located in a house?

Ideally, the kitchen location should align with the homeowners’ lifestyle and priorities. For frequent informal entertaining, an open kitchen in the front integrated with the living room provides a welcoming atmosphere. This allows guests to freely circulate throughout the social areas.

For private cooks or formal gatherings, a kitchen in the back of the house keeps the workspace and service access separated. A compromise is an L-shaped kitchen connecting the dining room and living room. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Evaluate your family’s needs and the home’s existing layout when deciding the best kitchen placement.