Small or awkwardly shaped rooms may feel even smaller if there is an unbroken line of units around three walls, so before installing them, you may find it more rewarding to think in terms of activity areas: wet area, food preparation space, cooking and serving zone, and give each the amount of work surface it really needs. It is also worth remembering that you may find it more comfortable to have some of these surfaces at different levels – a convenient height for carving a joint is not quite the same as one for washing dishes. Act out the cooking of a typical meal and see how you move around. At the same time you can ensure that everything you use regularly (such as plates, pans, cups, and utensils) are within an arm’s reach of where they are most likely to be used. Place them so that you can get the optimum efficiency in cooking.