Kitchen Triangle
If you had to pick the hot spot of the house, you would most likely say that the kitchen happens to be the most used room. After all, it is the center of food and drinks, as well as the room where people gather. Let's face it; guests are instantly drawn to the room with the food and drinks. With so much activity taking place in the kitchen, a special design called the "kitchen work triangle" was developed to make day to day transitions within the room easier for homeowners and their guests.
The work triangle is a name given to the design in the kitchen between the stove, the refrigerator, and the sink. The traffic between these three major areas creates a triangle. Of course kitchens usually include other major work stations within this triangle such as kitchen islands, countertops, the microwave, the dishwasher, etc. However, the work triangle focuses on the stove, refrigerator and sink because those are the three areas that you are constantly traveling back and forth from.
The purpose of the work triangle is to set up short and comfortable distances between all the major areas of the kitchen. This makes the process of cooking meals and handling other kitchen activates run much smoother. Kitchen designers have come to realize that there is a natural triangle of traffic within the kitchen, especially for those who are cooking meals. After years of research, these designers have learned to create the ideal kitchen work triangle to make working in small or large kitchens more efficient.
How do you know if your kitchen would benefit from a new work triangle design? If your existing kitchen design makes you feel like you are in a constant struggle with the kitchen just to make a salad, then you may want to look into a kitchen remodel. If your budget can't take on a complete kitchen remodel, consider making some simple changes. Often times making a few changes can make the kitchen more user-friendly. However, sometimes repositioning your refrigerator or moving your sink is your best option.
How to Get Started With Your New Work Triangle Design
Analyze the flow of traffic in your current kitchen design. If it seems as though people are having a hard time getting through your kitchen or they can't seem to efficiently get around within your kitchen then you may want to consider what elements are contributing to its difficulty. Are there obstructions such as an island? Are your work stations in inconvenient positions within your kitchen?
Calculate and define the actual measurements for the sides and perimeter of your kitchen work triangle which include your stove, refrigerator, and sink. It is suggested that all sides of the triangle be less than nine feet and greater than four feet long. It is also said that the outer limits of the triangle should measure no more than 26 feet and no less than 12 feet. Of course this all depends on the size of your kitchen though.
If you do have obstructions or poor traffic flow, consider moving or removing the things that are contributing to the slow down. Sometimes all it takes is shortening the length of your kitchen island.
Consider your budget and decide whether you want to do a complete kitchen remodel or just make some small changes to improve its user-friendliness. Keep in mind: investing in a complete kitchen remodel is almost always a very wise decision because you will get a great return on your investment, and also your day-to-day life will be considerably improved.
Interested in More Information About Kitchen Remodeling?
Kitchens are an extremely important aspect of a home and a wonderful investment. Choosing the right kitchen design for your home and your budget is imperative. Thankfully, we provide Free Kitchen Remodeling Quotes from top local contractors right here!
