Kitchen Design
10 Great Kitchen Workstations
See how pros help homeowners tuck desk areas into their kitchens
Finding a good spot to do remote work or schoolwork around the house has never been more important. And as the hub of most busy households, the kitchen has always been a good place to set up a command central. Kitchen workstations are a convenient spot to keep track of schedules, home maintenance, household bills and meal planning. Here’s a look at how design professionals have helped their clients fit workstations into their kitchens with style.
The work area is a seamless extension of the kitchen and enjoys lots of natural light.
Browse desk lamps in the Houzz Shop
Browse desk lamps in the Houzz Shop
2. Out of the Cook’s Way
Glass doors on the upper cabinets maintain the light and airy look of this kitchen workstation by Kitchen Intuitions.
Glass doors on the upper cabinets maintain the light and airy look of this kitchen workstation by Kitchen Intuitions.
Smart space planning put the workstation off to the side, well out of the cook’s way.
3. Chalkboard Fun
Rather than continuing the backsplash into this kitchen workspace, the designers at Eco+Historical used chalkboard paint. Family members can switch up the doodles, messages and reminders, or even write a menu for that night’s dinner here.
Rather than continuing the backsplash into this kitchen workspace, the designers at Eco+Historical used chalkboard paint. Family members can switch up the doodles, messages and reminders, or even write a menu for that night’s dinner here.
4. Extra Storage Included
This desk area located off a Washington, D.C., kitchen enjoys the light from two windows. It also provides extra kitchen storage space. Architect Amanda Ganginis used the same cabinets in the workstation that she used in the kitchen for a cohesive look.
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This desk area located off a Washington, D.C., kitchen enjoys the light from two windows. It also provides extra kitchen storage space. Architect Amanda Ganginis used the same cabinets in the workstation that she used in the kitchen for a cohesive look.
Find a local cabinet pro on Houzz
5. Hidden in the Pantry
The pros at Keystone Millworks tucked a handy workstation into this beautiful and spacious Atlanta pantry. It’s a great place for a parent to hide out and get some work done or for a child to focus on homework in quiet surroundings. It also has a nice view out the windows.
The pros at Keystone Millworks tucked a handy workstation into this beautiful and spacious Atlanta pantry. It’s a great place for a parent to hide out and get some work done or for a child to focus on homework in quiet surroundings. It also has a nice view out the windows.
6. A Place for Everything
In this kitchen workstation designed by Staci Munic Interiors, a magnetic bulletin board is a convenient spot to post invites, menus, business cards, messages and photos. Drawers, cubbies and cabinets provide plenty of space for keeping things stay neat.
Shop for a bulletin board
In this kitchen workstation designed by Staci Munic Interiors, a magnetic bulletin board is a convenient spot to post invites, menus, business cards, messages and photos. Drawers, cubbies and cabinets provide plenty of space for keeping things stay neat.
Shop for a bulletin board
7. Banquette-Adjacent
Interior designer Tamara Hubinsky tucked a mini workstation into this Manhattan loft’s kitchen. There’s space to stash sticky notes, devices, paper and pens, as well as outlets in the drawer and underneath the adjacent banquette for charging devices.
Interior designer Tamara Hubinsky tucked a mini workstation into this Manhattan loft’s kitchen. There’s space to stash sticky notes, devices, paper and pens, as well as outlets in the drawer and underneath the adjacent banquette for charging devices.
Since the mini workstation is next to the banquette, it’s easy to spread work onto the kitchen table. This has come in handy during the pandemic, as the homeowner’s daughter unexpectedly returned home to attend college remotely. She told Hubinsky that she practically lived in the banquette space during that time.
Learn more about this kitchen
Learn more about this kitchen
8. A Leafy View
Kitchen designer Sarah Robertson, architect Ned Stoll and interior designer Tami Wassong collaborated on this beautiful kitchen in Westchester, Connecticut. The views of the foliage outside inspired the kitchen design, and the space planning included a workstation spot that enjoys the trees, the natural light and the breeze.
Tip: Using casement windows is a good idea above a built-in like this one. They’re easy to crank open, whereas double-hung windows are tough to open from across a desk or countertop.
Learn more about this kitchen
Kitchen designer Sarah Robertson, architect Ned Stoll and interior designer Tami Wassong collaborated on this beautiful kitchen in Westchester, Connecticut. The views of the foliage outside inspired the kitchen design, and the space planning included a workstation spot that enjoys the trees, the natural light and the breeze.
Tip: Using casement windows is a good idea above a built-in like this one. They’re easy to crank open, whereas double-hung windows are tough to open from across a desk or countertop.
Learn more about this kitchen
9. Concealed in the Cabinetry
It’s hard to see where interior designer Katelyn Gilmour hid the workstation in this lovely kitchen.
It’s hard to see where interior designer Katelyn Gilmour hid the workstation in this lovely kitchen.
Voilà — the cabinet doors open and slide out of the way when the homeowners want to work at the computer. One of them is a photographer who enjoys editing her photos here as part of her daily routine. Sometimes she’ll set up a slideshow to play in the background, but when the computer’s not in use, it’s easily kept out of sight.
10. Just Off the Kitchen
This light-filled workstation is located right off the kitchen. Designed by Kitchen Stori, the desk matches the kitchen cabinetry for a seamless look. A large window makes the small alcove feel expansive and as if it’s part of the garden.
This light-filled workstation is located right off the kitchen. Designed by Kitchen Stori, the desk matches the kitchen cabinetry for a seamless look. A large window makes the small alcove feel expansive and as if it’s part of the garden.
Here’s a look at how the workstation nook relates to the kitchen space.
Takeaways for Planning a Kitchen Workstation
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Takeaways for Planning a Kitchen Workstation
- If the workstation will be your home’s command central, consider a place to post invites, notes, messages or a calendar.
- Continue the same cabinetry, hardware and countertop materials for a seamless look.
- Consider placing a window over the workstation.
- If planning a large pantry, think about whether a workstation inside it would be a convenient addition for the way you like to work.
- Add outlets with USB ports for charging devices. If a banquette will double as a workspace, install outlets for laptops and other devices in the bench.
- Think about what you’ll need to have handy at the workstation and plan drawers, doors and cubbies accordingly.
Read more kitchen stories
Browse kitchen photos
Hire a kitchen remodeler
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In this kitchen remodeling project, the designers at Wike LaFrey were tasked with designing a homework area for their clients’ two children. A bulletin board flanked by dry erase boards helps the whole family keep organized.
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