8 Different Ways to Incorporate a Wet and Dry Kitchen in Your Home

Because two is better than one.

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Most Malaysians are familiar with the term "wet and dry kitchen." Both kitchens are typically located next to each other but serve different functions; one is for heavy cooking that often exudes strong odours and grease, while the other is for lighter food prep such as cutting vegetables or fruits, putting together breakfast, snacks, and so on.

Having both a wet and dry kitchen has become an essential part of Malaysian homes, as it ensures that heat, fumes, and strong odours produced by this heavy cooking do not affect other parts of the house. Furthermore, as dry kitchens sometimes double as a dining area, separating the dry kitchen space helps to keep clutter away from the less-visible wet kitchen.

Need some inspiration for your kitchen renovation? Take a peek at these Malaysian homes that have cooked up some refreshing design solutions!

1. Keep your wet kitchen outdoors, and dry kitchen indoors

To make the most of the compound, the designer of this home in Selangor expanded the backyard and transformed it into an open-air wet kitchen. The space is characterised by ceramic tiles, grey countertop and mosaic tiles backsplash for durability and easy cleaning. Because the wet kitchen is located outside the house, the homeowner doesn’t need to install an exhaust fan to vent out strong cooking odours, smoke, heat, and other kitchen pollutants, saving a significant amount of money on kitchen renovations.

The dry kitchen, on the other hand, has an L-shaped cabinet layout and is equipped with a dual sink, a wine chiller, a refrigerator, and a small built-in induction stove for basic cooking tasks like boiling water or cooking an omelette.

2. Have both indoors, but have the wet kitchen fully enclosed

No backyard, no problem. This multi-storey home in Kuala Lumpur has a fully enclosed wet kitchen, so the residents can cook up a storm without worrying about the smells and fumes spreading throughout the house. The designer also installed a stainless steel hood to reduce strong odours and promote better air circulation in this room.

By contrast, the dry kitchen has a sleek modern design with black cabinets, a marble island, and a wooden counter for having meals in a casual setting. There is also a microwave oven, refrigerator, and sink, which allow the residents to wash their hands, do their dishes or prepare their raw food before it is cooked in the wet kitchen.

3. Have a dry kitchen that’s all about style, and a wet kitchen that’s hardier

This landed home features an exquisite dry kitchen with a mint-coloured island and a white countertop. The island has a dining table extension with variable heights, allowing the homeowners to stand while prepping food and seat when dining. Meanwhile, a gold pendant light illuminates the casual eating area. As the dry kitchen is mainly used for prepping or having casual meals, the owners can also utilise the space as a study area or to entertain guests.

The wet kitchen, on the other hand, is intended to be more utilitarian than attractive. It is fitted with light blue built-in cabinets with matte finishes, a double basin sink and quartz countertops that are both durable and easy to clean. The wet kitchen also has anti-slip flooring to prevent slippage from water or oil spills and spatter. For added practicality, the wet kitchen is strategically located next to the backyard doorway for improved ventilation.

4. Have both your dry and wet kitchen in the same theme

Although both the wet and dry kitchens have distressed-looking oak cabinetry and a stone backsplash, they serve different purposes. The dry kitchen features a built-in microwave oven for quick meal preparations or easier tasks like baking, cutting vegetables and fruit, or preparing breakfast. It also has a large island, making it a great place for family members or friends to interact while preparing meals together.

The dry kitchen also requires less intensive cleaning than its wet counterpart. To create a clean and uncluttered look, there are lots of cupboards for keeping utensils and dishes, among other things.

The dry kitchen, on the other hand, has a gas stove, an exhaust fan, and a larger sink that’s appropriate for dishwashing. The designer also installed a sliding door to help contain the smoke and smell when preparing delicious local meals.

5. Keep your dry kitchen modern and your wet kitchen traditional

The farmhouse-style dry kitchen in this home captures the eyes through the use of shaker-style cabinets, an off-white island with rattan bar stools, and gorgeous spherical-shaped pendant lights. Equipped with a sink, a water dispenser and a coffee machine, this space looks more like a modern cafe than a kitchen, ideal for sharing a cup of tea or coffee with family or guests.

The scene shifts from beautiful to utilitarian as you enter the wet kitchen from the dry kitchen. It features subway tiles backsplash, L-shape laminate cabinets, white quartz countertop and an apron sink. Aside from that, the large windows lend in plenty of light, making the space feel bright and airy.

6. Have them in contrasting colour schemes

Dark surfaces and rich wood tones make for a striking combo in this modern kitchen. As oil and food splatters can easily cause the walls and counter in the wet kitchen to get dirty and messy while stir-frying, the designer built a backsplash and counter made of glossy marble materials to ensure that the surface is easy to clean. Even though the backsplash comes across as dark and sombre, it reflects light, making the space brighter than it is.

The dry kitchen, on the other hand, sports a lighter hue that complements the open space living room. It also features a light wooden cabinet for ample storage, a small sink for washing hands, and a marble island paired with wooden chairs for the homeowner to enjoy quick meals.

There’s also a refrigerator adjacent to the pantry cupboards that allow the homeowners to grab some snacks or a drink without having to go all the way to the wet kitchen. The kitchen counter's smooth, bright surfaces and open shelves make the space appear larger and less cluttered.

7. Same same, but different

The monochromatic colour scheme in this wet and dry kitchen gives the space an elegant look. The dry kitchen is equipped with plenty of cabinets for convenient storage, a wine cooler, a fridge and a coffee machine for the homeowner's morning coffee. The counter also serves as a seating space with bar stools and a series of unique pendant lights.

The wet kitchen makes the best of its position in the house, utilizing natural light and ventilation to create a bright and airy space, and the gas stoves are just by the window so that odours dissipate quicker.

The designer also used a minimalist colour palette of black and white to make this area look ultra-polished while adding depth to the space. We’re obsessed with the juxtaposition of the white marble countertops and floor tiles, which pair gorgeously with the matte cabinetry and countertop.

8. For flexibility of space, separate them with a glass partition (instead of a wall)

This wet and dry kitchen has a spacious feel thanks to a glass partition that minimises visual obstruction and merges them into a large single space when the homeowners are not cooking.

The wet kitchen comes with L-shaped built-in cabinetry and white quartz countertop, a dual sink, a gas stove area and beige floor tiles. The accent lighting placed beneath the cabinets brightens the space and combines well with other features in the room, giving the illusion of a bigger space.

The dry kitchen functions more like an open bar, as it faces the dining room. It includes built-in grey cabinets for storing drinkware as well as glass-door shelves for displaying the homeowner’s liquor collection. There is also a large island where the homeowner can serve food and drinks while hosting dinner parties. The design is completed by a row of copper pendant lights that illuminate the island.

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