It is important for everybody that the kitchen is not only cozy, but also convenient to work with. Do you know how to save energy and time, how to reduce physical activity and speed up the cooking process in the kitchen? Proper organization of space will help solve most issues related to your comfort. Today we will look at the topic: “The work triangle in the kitchen.”
Historical reference
Lillian Gilbert is the founder of kitchen planning principles and the author of the “work triangle.”
It is interesting that Lillian Gilbert, a mother of 12 children, who spent her entire life researching improving productivity and management, the woman who created the principles of planning the ideal kitchen, did not cook at home because she simply did not have enough time for it.
– WHAT IS A WORKING TRIANGLE IN THE KITCHEN?
The "work triangle", as defined by the American Kitchen Designers Association (NKBA), is a time-tested guideline of kitchen design that helps plan out efficient kitchen workspaces with clear traffic lanes.
– WHAT KITCHEN ELEMENTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS THE POINTS OF A TRIANGLE AND WHAT DIMENSIONS SHOULD BE BETWEEN THEM?
The vertices of the working triangle are the three main zones of the kitchen: the stock (storage) zone, the preparation zone and the cooking zone itself. We select the refrigerator, sink and hob as the tops, respectively.
The elements must be placed so that the distance between the refrigerator and the sink is at least 0.9 m and between the sink and the hob (main work area) at least 1 m, if the dimensions of the kitchen allow even more.
– CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO CREATE A TRIANGLE DEPENDING ON THE KITCHEN CONFIGURATION?
There can be many such options, because a lot depends on the layout, on the placement, but there are four main ones. In the pictures below you can see the options:
Corner kitchen Kitchen in two lines U-shaped kitchen Kitchen with an island
– WHAT TO DO IF THE KITCHEN IS STRAIGHT?
If the kitchen is straight, then we simply expand our triangle, you will get a line with three points located in the sequence: stock area, preparation area and cooking area.
TIP: If you are starting a renovation and plan to do everything yourself, without an interior designer, then the first thing you should think about is the layout, as the kitchen is the most complex product of your home from a technical point of view.
STEP 1. Consider the configuration of the future kitchen, taking into account utilities and kitchen appliances that you plan to use.
STEP 2. Based on step 1, think over the layout of electricity and water outlets.
By completing these two steps, you will understand exactly what you need and prepare the space for the kitchen of your dreams. This will greatly facilitate further stages of work.
You can ask our specialists for advice and the realization of your kitchen desires!