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Kosher kitchen with two separate sinks and ample countertop workspace

Inspiration Guides

Kosher kitchen design

A kosher kitchen isn’t just a style—it’s a system. For Jewish households that keep kosher, the kitchen must be thoughtfully designed to support the practical requirements of daily life, Shabbat, and the observance of kashrut laws. But beyond religious significance, kosher kitchen design offers valuable organizational, workflow, and cleanliness principles that can inspire any well-planned space.


What Makes a Kitchen Kosher?


At the core of a kosher kitchen are two guiding principles:

  1. Separation of meat and dairy: These two food categories must not mix during prep, cooking, serving, or cleaning.

  2. Avoidance of cross-contamination: Utensils, cookware, dishware, and storage must be carefully maintained to avoid contact between meat and dairy items.


For this reason, a kosher kitchen is often designed with duplicate systems—two of many core components.




Ovens, Cooktops & Appliances


Kosher kitchens often include:

  • Double ovens for meat and dairy, or at minimum, a large oven and a smaller second oven.

  • Cooktop or range: Typically one, but some include an additional two-burner cooktop in the dairy section.

  • Microwave ovens: Some clients opt for two; others use one designated for one category.

  • Dishwashers: Two dishwashers are highly preferred if space allows, but one is workable if items are kept separate and cycles are appropriately managed.

Just as important: choose appliances with Sabbath Mode. Many ovens and refrigerators today come with this feature, allowing you to avoid the automatic changes (such as lights or digital displays) that are problematic for observant families on Shabbat and holidays.

Modern kosher kitchen with double oven, planned drawers, and prep zones

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LED-lit kosher kitchen drawers with separate utensils and smart storage

Two Sinks for Meat and Dairy


While technically one sink or a double sink could work in a tight space, nearly every kosher kitchen we’ve designed in full homes includes two fully separate sinks, each with its own countertop zone—one for meat and one for dairy. These sinks are usually in visually and functionally distinct kitchen areas to reinforce separation in daily use.

This also extends to dish soap, towels, sponges, and drying racks, which are kept separate and designated.

Storage & Zones: Keeping It Separate


A kosher kitchen must be designed to support two separate workflows. Think in terms of complete duplication of these elements:

  • Utensil drawers: Plan for two—one for meat, one for dairy.

  • Silverware trays

  • Cutting boards

  • Knives and cooking tools

  • Mixing bowls, pots, and pans

  • Bakeware and trays

Labeling and layout are essential. Many clients opt for drawer inserts or color-coded systems to help everyone in the home stay organized. Some even prefer custom cabinetry that subtly reflects the separation—distinct drawer stacks, zones, or color schemes.


Electrical Considerations for Shabbat

  • Push-to-open electrical drawers: Popular in modern designs for their clean look, these can be problematic on Shabbat if they require electrical triggering. For observant families, we recommend manual drawer systems or disconnecting powered drawers before Shabbat.

  • Lift-up or pull-out motorized doors: These are often found in upper cabinets for easy access. As with drawers, the best approach is to use models that allow manual override or ensure they can be shut off for Shabbat use (for example, via a switchable circuit or smart home control).


Plan for these features with the same care, ensuring they can be disabled, manually overridden, or fully controlled before Shabbat.




Lighting and Shabbat Use


LED lighting is often integrated in modern kitchens under cabinets, inside drawers, and beneath counters. While these pose no halachic issues directly, Shabbat observance raises a few considerations:

  • Smart control: Most clients prefer the LED transformers connected to a switched outlet or smart home system. This allows them to “shut off” all cabinet/drawer lighting before Shabbat begins.

  • Sensor lights: A timed or switched circuit should control drawer lights or motion-triggered fixtures to avoid automatic activation.

Clients with smart homes often use scheduled routines to manage lighting over Shabbat and holidays.



The Importance of Prep Space


Because kosher cooking often involves preparing multiple meals (sometimes for multiple days or holidays), prep space becomes crucial.


Consider:

  • A large central island with defined zones

  • Plenty of countertop space near each sink

  • Storage directly under the counter for meat or dairy prep tools


In some homes, there’s even a third prep zone for pareve (neutral) items like vegetables, fruit, or baked goods.

Leicht kitchen with appliance garage, classic style cabinetry island hood

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Bonus Features Clients Love


  • Extra freezer drawers for stocking meat and dairy separately

  • Appliance garages to keep dairy blenders or meat mixers stored cleanly

  • Slide-away units (pocket doors) for coffee stations or toaster setups that stay out of sight

  • Custom labels or dividers built into drawers


Final Thoughts


Designing a kosher kitchen is not about adding more—it’s about adding thoughtfully. The space should guide usage, support your routines, and make it easy to follow kosher practices without friction.

Whether planning a complete renovation or starting from scratch, the best kosher kitchens balance aesthetics, workflow, and religious needs. And with modern cabinetry solutions from brands like Leicht, beauty and function go hand in hand.


Looking to design a kosher kitchen that works beautifully every day—and every Shabbat? Visit our New York showroom or explore our cabinet front collections to start your journey.

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