Make My Kitchen Work For Me:
Kitchen Zones Explained:
Prep, Cook, Store + Clean (Part 2)
Let me help you reduce chaos
You do not need to overhaul your entire kitchen today.
Small changes count. And they add up faster than you think.
Start with just one thing:
One drawer
One cabinet
One zone
That’s it. No kitchen bootcamp required.
Once your countertops are cleared, the next natural step is creating kitchen zones—simple setups that support movement, efficiency, and sanity. Instead of crisscrossing the kitchen looking for tools or ingredients, everything you need for a task lives nearby. Less wandering. Less frustration. More cooking.
If your kitchen feels cluttered or like you’re constantly walking in circles, it’s probably not your cooking skills—it’s the layout. Professional kitchens run on zones for a reason. And the best part? You can use the same system in any size kitchen. No renovation. No new cabinets. No drama.
Kitchen zones group items by how they’re actually used. Not by category alone, but by action. The four core zones are:
Prep — where chopping and assembling happen
Cook — where heat and cooking take place
Store — where food and tools live
Clean — where dishes and cleanup happen
Let’s break down the four essential kitchen zones and set them up so your kitchen finally works with you—not against you.
Clearing your Countertops
The plan = more cooking!
The Prep Zone: Where Cooking Actually Begins
If your kitchen had a VIP section, this would be it.
For most home cooks, the prep zone is the most important area in the kitchen. It usually lives along your main stretch of counter and should include the things you reach for before anything hits the heat:
Cutting boards
Knives
Mixing bowls
Measuring tools
Easy access to trash or compost
Pay attention to what you grab first when you start cooking—and make sure those items live close together. This is where the clear countertops from the last post really earn their keep. Prep needs room to exist.
Chef Tip:
If possible, set your prep zone between the sink and the stove. That classic kitchen triangle isn’t just a design buzzword—it saves steps, time, and a surprising amount of patience, especially on busy weeknights.
The Cook Zone: Keep the Heat Focused
The cook zone centers around your stove, oven, or cooktop—where things start getting real.
This area should hold:
Pots and pans
Cooking utensils
Oils and seasonings you use daily
Oven mitts
Keeping these items close means fewer laps around the kitchen and faster meals coming together. When everything you need is within arm’s reach, cooking feels smoother—and a lot less exhausting.
Chef Tip:
Only give this zone what it truly needs. If you don’t use it weekly, it doesn’t deserve prime real estate next to the stove.
"Small changes make a big difference. Really. When these zones are clearly defined, your kitchen starts to work with you instead of against you."
Store & Clean
The Store Zone: Easy Access, No Pile-Ups
The store zone is where ingredients and tools wait their turn. It includes your pantry, refrigerator, and cabinets—and when it’s set up well, cooking feels calmer before you even start.
This zone works best when:
The things you use most are easy to reach
Backup items live a little farther away
Pantry staples are grouped by meal or purpose
You don’t need a picture-perfect pantry. You just need one that supports how you actually cook on a Tuesday night.
Chef Tip:
Store things where you use them, not where they technically “fit.” Breakfast items together. Baking supplies together. Yes, even if it breaks traditional pantry rules. Your kitchen, your logic.
The Clean Zone: Make Cleanup Feel Automatic
Cleanup gets a bad reputation—but when the clean zone works, it barely feels like a task.
This area usually includes:
Sink
Dishwasher
Dish towels and sponges
Trash and recycling
When cleaning tools are right where you need them, you naturally clean as you go. Less mess builds up. Less dread at the end.
Chef Tip:
A smooth clean zone makes cooking feel lighter. If cleanup feels easy, you’ll cook more often. And that’s the whole point.
That’s how you make your kitchen work for you.
Move tools closer to where you use them. Prep tools near prep space. Cooking tools near the stove. Let drawers do the work instead of overcrowding your counters. Even shifting one drawer or cabinet can completely change how your kitchen feels.
Small or shared kitchen? Still works.
Zones aren’t about square footage—they’re about intention. One counter can serve different zones at different times. A rolling cart can become instant prep space. Drawers and vertical storage are your best friends. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s less friction.
When your kitchen is set up for movement, cooking gets easier. You search less, get frustrated less, and stay focused on the food. Kitchen zones—paired with clear counters—create a calm, functional foundation for both quick meals and slow, enjoyable ones.
What's next?
Now that you have visual calm which brings mental calm, we can begin to think about my next blog posts in the Make My Kitchen Work for Me series. Mise en Place and Kitchen Reset.
Let's summarize.
Let’s sum it up.
When your kitchen is zoned:
You stop hunting for tools mid-recipe
You take fewer unnecessary steps
You clean as you go without forcing it
Cooking feels calmer, smoother, and more enjoyable
This is exactly how I set up my clients’ kitchens as a personal chef. Because when the kitchen works, the food gets better—and the stress disappears.
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Hi, I'm Kat.
Welcome to my Kitchen Counter. I’m excited to share with you a new series called “Make my kitchen work for you” along with a collection of blog posts about a variety of topics – building a gluten free pantry, staples to always have on hand and gift guides for the Chef in your life. Take a look around. I’d love to hear from you – do you like these posts?
