In a recent article, House Beautiful discussed the ways that professional kitchen designers suggest to create the most efficient and useful kitchen. And you might be surprised to learn that the “kitchen triangle” is no longer hailed as a best practice when it comes to getting the most enjoyment from your kitchen.
So, if you’re not creating that well-known triangle between your sink, stove, and refrigerator, what should you do instead? According to HB, the new “golden rule” is to lay out your kitchen in zones according to how you naturally use it.
Instead of triangulating the fridge, stove and sink, start thinking in zones: food storage, food prep, cooking and cleaning. For each space, figure out what you need close at hand—whether that’s knives near your prep station, storage containers near the refrigerator for leftovers, or pots and pans near the stove. Proximity is everything. “The range is still the workhorse, and it should be close to the sink so that you don’t ever have something in your hand and aren’t able to wash it,” says designer Kelly Finley of Joy Street Design. (She also recommends pull-out drawers nearby to house cooking utensils so that you can ditch the grease-collecting canister of spatulas, spoons and rubber scrapers on your countertop.) Other adjacencies that pack a punch: a drawer outfitted with a knife tray near your prep station, ample counter space on either side of the cooktop, and spices closest to the prep area—where you actually use them—rather than the stove. And if you do opt for spices by the range, plan carefully: “No one wants to put their head by a spattering pan as they bend down to look for paprika,” cautions Finley.
When you’re planning your new kitchen design, you should start by thinking about all the different ways in which you want to use the kitchen area. Ask yourself questions about every possible use:
- Do you need a coffee station to house your espresso machine?
- Do you like to entertain a lot and need a second oven or dishwasher?
- What appliances do you use the most? Store them within easy reach.
- Where do you bring in your groceries? Place your pantry near that door if you can.
- Is spaghetti your kids’ favorite dish (a pot filler might be a necessity!)
- Is bread baking your favorite stress reliever? Marble counters might be great.
- Do you want to keep an eye on your toddler while you make dinner? Consider an island with prep area and stovetop so you can face the living/dining area while you work.
- Are you right-handed or left? Maybe your dishwasher should be placed to the left of the sink!
You may be limited by space constraints, but a great kitchen design will make use of every inch, with a place for everything and everything in its place. When you work on redesigning your kitchen, consider replacing less-functional cabinets with pullout drawers that are partitioned to provide functionality. If space is a worry, make sure you first itemize all your small appliances and kitchen tools. Ask your designer to created a designated space (within the correct zone!) for each of your gadgets, so that you can keep everything tucked out of sight but within easy reach when you need it. This will help you keep your kitchen clean and organized.
When you’re ready to upgrade your kitchen design for a more beautiful, functional, pleasurable kitchen, we’re here to help! Our in-house professional designers can take your budget and help you get the most out of every inch of your space, guaranteeing your kitchen will be your favorite room in the house. Contact us or give us a call on (650) 287-4202 to schedule a consultation!
Original article found on House Beautiful. Check there to read the full article!
