Space Planning in Kitchens: Remember the Triangle

By Kate McIntyre

Bad kitchen design can be frustrating. Sometimes, poorly arranged kitchens are easy to spot, such as when the refrigerator door bumps into the sink every time you open it. Other bad design, though, is harder to spot. Kitchen contractors can help you to discover the most efficient way to set up your kitchen. In the meantime, here are some tips to get you started.

The Kitchen Contractor's Triangle
When you cook, the three parts of the kitchen you tend to use the most are the refrigerator, the range, and the sink. Kitchen contractors refer to these three areas as the "triangle." They should be arranged close to each other to minimize the time spent traveling from one to another. In kitchens where the triangle works best, it is not intersected by any foot traffic patterns. If there are two people in your family who enjoy cooking together, make sure that you have enough counter space for everyone to work comfortably.

Galley, L-, and U-Shaped Kitchens
Your work triangle can take on one of the three following shapes: galley, L-shaped, or U-shaped. A kitchen contractor can help you to decide which is most suitable for your space. In general, galley kitchens, with all of the appliances lined up on one wall, are best when space is especially tight. L-shaped kitchens have two parts of the work triangle on one wall and the other part on an adjacent wall. In a U-shaped triangle, the three of the parts of the triangle are located on three adjacent walls.Every person has a unique style of working in his or her kitchen. You can learn a lot about your own kitchen needs by paying attention to how you move around your kitchen as you cook and clean. Keep a list of ideas for making your kitchen more efficient to share with your kitchen contractor.

Sources:
"Kitchen Considerations," HGTV.com
"Step By Step Guide to Redesigning Your Kitchen," ThisOldHouse.com

About the Author
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.