In a Seattle condo’s kitchen and living area, a new layout, custom cabinets and hex tile complement vintage furnishings

Natural light and smart space-planning turn 165 square feet into a multifunctional, spa-like retreat

When a young couple moved from Australia to the Little Italy district of Toronto, they found a charming home nearly 100 years old and chock-full of charm.

There was just one problem, but it was a big one. The only full bathroom in the home was also the laundry room and, to put it mildly, it was a design disaster. Turning to Houzz for advice, they quickly found Gloria Apostolou of post Architecture, who had a stellar vision for how to divide and conquer in the small space.

“Originally, they thought they wanted two rooms, and I showed them an option for that,” Apostolu says. “But with only 165 square feet to work with, I thought that dividing the one room into two spaces — without any walls, just millwork — might be a better solution. Luckily, they agreed.”

Here’s why you may want to have a prep and a cleanup sink — and the surprising reality about which is more important

While the majority of American kitchens have only one sink, the trend toward two is growing quickly in new construction and major remodels. Why would you possibly need two kitchen sinks — that is, if you are in the fortunate position to be able to afford this luxury? In a nutshell, for better kitchen workflow.

There’s a lot to think about when planning a kitchen layout. This story will first make the case for having two sinks, and then address considerations for the all-important prep sink — the place where you’ll likely spend most of your kitchen time.