The 56th China International Furniture Fair (Shanghai)
September 9-12, 2025

CIFF Shanghai Home Accessories Expo | How to Create a Functional and Regret-Free Kitchen!

2025-05-06 11:52:36

They say the kitchen is where you should splurge the most during renovations—after all, it holds the warmth and comfort of family life. But reality often bites: cluttered countertops, insufficient sockets, and cabinets that "fight" when opened… We’ve compiled this ultimate kitchen renovation guide, covering everything from workflow design to utilizing every 1cm of space, to help you build a kitchen you’ll never regret! And if you want to learn more about the tips,the best way is to visit CIFF Shanghai Home Accessories Expo.

 



I. Layout Planning: 3 Golden Rules for Transforming Small Kitchens  

 

Rule 1: Workflow Determines Efficiency  

Organize your space in the order of "ingredient retrieval → washing → chopping → cooking → plating" to minimize back-and-forth movement.  

- U-shaped kitchens: Offer the longest countertop and shortest triangular workflow (sink, stove, fridge).  

- L-shaped kitchens (ideal for narrow spaces): Place the fridge on the shorter side to avoid disrupting the workflow.  

 

Rule 2: Two-Tier Countertop Height  

- Raise the sink area by 5–10cm (formula: height ÷ 2 + 5cm) and lower the stove area by 8cm to prevent back strain.  

- Tip: Avoid placing the height transition over the chopping area to prevent dirt accumulation.  

 

Rule 3: Leave "Flexible Space"  

- Leave 20cm beside the fridge for a pull-out cabinet to store cling film and kitchen towels.  

- Recess wall cabinets by 10cm to prevent head bumps and add motion-sensor under-cabinet lighting.  

 

II. Material Pitfalls: 4 Areas Not to Skimp On  

Countertops: Quartz Is King  

Choose quartz slabs ≥15mm thick with ≥93% quartz sand content—they resist soy sauce stains and wipe clean easily.  

- Avoid: Artificial stone (prone to staining) and stainless steel (scratch-sensitive).  

 

Cabinets: Multilayer Boards + No-Varnish Doors  

- Moisture resistance: multilayer board > particle board > density board.  

- Opt for PET matte finish doors for superior anti-grease performance.  

- Avoid: Lacquered doors (magnets) and embossed doors (heat-sensitive).  

 

Sinks: Single Large Sink + Pull-Out Faucet  

- Choose a sink ≥75cm long to fit pots flat; pair with a high-arc pull-out faucet for cleaning.  

- Avoid: Double sinks (awkward for pots) and fixed faucets (limited reach).  

 

Tiles: Glossy Glazed Tiles + Epoxy Grout  

- Walls: 300×600mm glossy tiles; floors: 600×600mm non-slip tiles.  

- Use epoxy grout for mold and stain resistance.  

 

III. Game-Changing Details: 10X More Functional  

Socket Layout: More Is Better  

- Countertop: 1 set of 5-hole sockets with switches every 80cm (at least 4 sets).  

- Under-sink: 2 sockets (for garbage disposals and water purifiers).  

- Inside wall cabinets: 1 socket (for gas alarms).  

 

Lighting: Ditch the "Single Ceiling Light" Myth  

- General lighting: 6–8W/recessed spotlights.  

- Task lighting: 24° beam angle under-cabinet spotlights to eliminate chopping shadows.  

- Ambient bonus: Motion-sensor lights under the range hood for a chef-worthy vibe.  

 

Storage Hacks: No 1cm Wasted  

- Corner cabinets: Install rotating pull-out baskets for easy access to deep-shelf spices.  

- Narrow cabinets: 15cm-wide pull-out drawers for cutting boards and baking trays.  

- Walls: Adhesive hooks + pegboards to hang utensils and pot lids.  

 

IV. Pro Tips: 3 Questions to Ask During Renovation  

1. "Will enclosing the range hood in cabinets affect suction?"  

   → Leave a 15cm depth and no top panel in the cabinet to ensure unobstructed ventilation.  

 

2. "Cooling fan or kitchen AC?"  

   → Splurge on a grease-resistant kitchen AC if budget allows; cooling fans are just psychological comfort with minimal effect.  

 

3. "Will an under-mount sink fall off?"  

   → Proper installation: notch the countertop, secure with metal clips + structural adhesive (holds up to 50kg).  

 

Conclusion: A Well-Designed Kitchen, A Stress-Free Cooking Life  

A perfect kitchen isn’t about chasing "internet-famous" styles—it’s about designing for your habits.  

Remember: Every 1cm of detail determines the happiness of the next decade.  

 

Source: Zhihu

 

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