If you’re planning a kitchen makeover, chances are you’ve heard a lot about the kitchen working triangle. Although it’s often hailed by designers as the best way to furnish your kitchen, the concept of a kitchen working triangle can be daunting.
In fact, it’s a relatively simple idea that saves time and effort. In simple terms, the kitchen working triangle connects the three main working areas of the kitchen: the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. However, although it is very helpful to understand this concept, you can allow your design to change the rules to suit your purposes.
What Is the Kitchen Work Triangle?
The concept of the kitchen working triangle was proposed in the 40s of the 20th century, when kitchens were very small and appliances were usually very large. The kitchen is seen as a space where only cooking takes place.
The kitchen work triangle connects the three main work areas of the kitchen – the sink, the stove, and the refrigerator. As a general guideline, the distance between these areas should be no less than 4 feet and no more than 9 feet. The sum of all three sides of the triangle should be between 13 feet and 26 feet. If the distance is too small, it will make the kitchen feel cramped and clogged. If it’s too big, cooking can be a hassle.
Why Should You Consider It?
Even though it’s a 70-year-old rule, the work triangle is still something to keep in mind when redesigning your kitchen. Maintaining a certain amount of space between the main work areas can make cooking easier and help keep traffic in the workspace to a minimum.
How Will This Work in Your Kitchen?
1. Think about how you’re using your current kitchen.
What’s going on in the kitchen that frustrates you? What is the cause of the problem at work? What can I add or remove on a budget? Thinking about what bothers you the most will help you figure out how to organize your kitchen workspace in a triangular format.
When creating a kitchen work triangle, there is no room in the kitchen for decoration or entertaining. Now, the kitchen is bigger. They have become the center of the home, often sharing space with the dining room and living room for easy entertainment.
If you’re redesigning your kitchen, you’ll most likely need to think about entertaining, eating, and doing homework. By limiting the main cooking area to one part of the kitchen, you’ll be able to take advantage of other spaces without any conflicts.
2. Measure your current kitchen work triangle (if any) and consider how much it needs to be added or subtracted to make it work more efficiently.
Keep in mind that triangles don’t have to be exactly equal in length. The shape of the triangle will vary depending on the shape of your kitchen.
The most important thing to keep in mind, aside from the recommended distance between the points of the working triangle, is to make sure that the lines of the triangle are not blocked by anything. Misplaced trash cans, islands, and other kitchen essentials can make cooking more difficult.
3. Consider other features when determining the working triangle.
Since many modern kitchens have become multi-purpose rooms, it’s important to think carefully about what features you want your kitchen to have. Determining if you want a desk, a job place, a bar, a large island, multiple sinks, etc., can help you determine exactly how to position your work triangle.
Sufficient preparation space is often forgotten because it is not explicitly included in the working trigonometric equations. It’s usually best to have a prep space near the sink and a prep space near the hob. Keep utensils, pots and pans, and spices near the stove for easier cooking – this saves extra steps.
4. Make adjustments and design decisions that work best for your kitchen – there are no set rules.
Most importantly, you want your kitchen to work for you. While the kitchen work triangle is a great guide, it’s by no means set in stone. You may have to design a kitchen where everything is on one wall – in this case, the working triangle will not be able to be set. When setting up your kitchen workspace, it’s important to pay close attention to every measurement – a few inches can make a big difference, especially in a small kitchen.
