What Is the Kitchen Work Triangle?
What is the Work Triangle ?
The work triangle is a time and distance guideline for kitchen design that helps plan out efficient kitchen work spaces with a clear and safe area for use and walking around. Imagine a triangle that connected your stove/cooktop, sink, and refrigerator. This is the work triangle. According to this guideline, each leg of the triangle should measure between 4 and 9 feet. This allows a user to reach their cooking, cleaning, and food storage areas with ease, while providing enough space between them to avoid crowding. Are you planning a kitchen renovation? Consider this design theory to arrive at a design that is both beautiful and highly functional.
Creating an Effective Work Triangle
The work triangle concept has a substantial impact in the design and layout of a kitchen.
- The sum of the three sides of the triangle should not exceed 26 feet.
- Each triangle leg should measure between 4 and 9 feet.
- No side of the triangle should cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.
- No major walk patterns should cross through the triangle.
- A second triangle can be created by adding a second sink to an island, side wall or peninsula. This is also a way to create a specialty work station for baking or vegetable prep.
It’s important to remember that the work triangle guidelines are not laws, and not rules. Today, our kitchens are large, and in many families there is more than one cook. However, our kitchens today have a broader range of functions than just cooking. They are also where we dine, entertain, and work. Therefore, modern kitchen designers do not design kitchens exclusively around the work triangle approach, but have adopted a work zone approach.
Kitchen Work Zones
Today’s kitchen isn’t just about cooking and cleaning. The kitchen is more multi-functional than ever. Kitchen designers have to think more flexibly, and layout spaces based on the particular activities that will take place there, based on their clients needs. Your kitchen can be broken down into five basic zones. Each zone defines a certain activity in the kitchen:
Food storage
This is where you store your groceries. Fresh food, frozen food, as well as dry goods, cans, and other non-perishables. You can think of this zone as where you would place your main pantry, and refrigerator. Keeping these areas close can make it easy to get all of the ingredients you need.
Cabinet storage
A lot of storage must be dedicated to silverware, tableware, utensils, pots and pans, baking trays, and more. You’ll also want to consider where to store odds-and-ends like cookbooks, scissors, and other desk items. Much of this zone storage is located in drawers and upper cabinets.
Cleaning
The cleaning zone is typically built around the sink, but also includes the dishwasher, garbage, recycling, brooms, and household cleaning items. Consider installing waste cabinets near the sink to create a convenient space to keep your kitchen clean.
Preparation
Food preparation requires easy access to utensils, cutting boards, and mixing bowls, as well as plenty of countertop space. Consider what you need for food preparation when planning storage options like base drawers, or pull-out cabinet shelves.
Cooking
In addition to your cooktop, consider your microwave, and built-in oven. Cooking zones must be designed to include landing spaces for hot dishes, as well as storage space for utensils, pots and pans, bakeware, and so on. Think of how your cooking habits use a cookbook, notebook, or digital recipe display, measuring cups, a spatula to stir with, and a towel for cleaning minor spills. These types of things rapidly eat up counter space.
Other Zones
It’s common for kitchens to have other zones, like a small desk, or for some of the work zones to have multiple uses. A charging station for mobile phones, tablets and other devices is becoming increasingly important in kitchen design. Take a look at special outlets with USB ports, and be sure the devices are safely away from water and toddlers.
Dining at the counter
Creating a space to eat in your kitchen depends on your family needs. Whether it’s just your family, or you’re entertaining, it seems everyone eventually gathers in the kitchen. Islands and peninsulas provide great kitchen dining spaces and can be multi-purposed. If lack of space is an issue, your island can double as a prep, work, and entertainment space.
Entertainment
Many homeowners have a television in their kitchen. Others have a bar area that can accommodate stools, or serve as a stand-or-sit space for cocktails or dinner. Consider including a conversation zone in your kitchen, with lounge chairs and a low table or versatile ottoman.
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