Planning the Most Important Triangle in Your Kitchen Renovation
Thursday | May 06, 2010 Filed in: Kitchen Remodeling | General Remodeling
In planning a kitchen renovation, one of the most important things you can do is design the space for your convenience and ease of use. The most functional kitchens are arranged so that the cook and the clean-up crew both have the right appliances and convenient work surfaces. A work triangle composed of sink, cook top, and refrigerator should be arranged so that each of the components is within a few steps of the others.
Choosing a sink best suited for your needs from the many designs available requires self-evaluation as well as product research. As you evaluate your kitchen needs, pay attention to the way you use the sink as you cook and clean up. If you frequently use large pots and pans that don't fit into the dishwasher, you will want a deep sink that will accommodate the vessels. Deep farmhouse sinks are popular and accommodate large pots, but if your kitchen has only one sink, you may prefer a double bowl sink. With a double sink, you can use one side for dishwater while having the other side available for other cooking tasks.
Another option is a sink with bowls of different sizes. The smaller side may have the disposal so that you can rinse food away while the larger side is in use. One drawback is the small sink can be awkward to use and may result in water being splashed onto the counter. Ask friends and co-workers about the type of sink they have and what the pros and cons are. And ask if they would get the same sink again.
Other considerations for the sink area are type of faucet, counter space surrounding the sink, and location of the dishwasher. Faucets are available in many materials and designs, but even more important is the way the faucet functions. Is it easy to turn on and off and adjust from hot to cold? How does the sprayer work and is it easy to use? Is the faucet spout adjustable?
Allow several feet of counter space on each side of the sink. A crowded sink area will always be a source of discomfort in your kitchen. Whether it's dirty dishes on one side and clean dishes on the other or vegetables you're processing, you want plenty of space on both sides of the sink for the items you're working with.
Make sure that your dishwasher is conveniently located either just to the right or left of your sink. Most right handed people prefer the right side location, but either can work well. Also plan enough space for the dishwasher door to open fully without blocking movement in the kitchen or other appliances or cabinets.
Whether you choose gas, electric, an induction cook top, or some other type, try to learn as much as possible about the pros and cons of each type before you choose. Again ask friends and co-workers for their opinions. If you're choosing something different from what you've had, look for an opportunity to try it out first. Maybe the ease of cleaning a smooth cook top isn't as important to you as being able to see the flame beneath your pot as you adjust the heat.
Locate your cook top with sufficient counter space on each side. Having a place to set a pot off the burner or to set the batter bowl will eliminate many frustrations for the cook.
The final point of the cooking triangle is the refrigerator. In choosing a new refrigerator, think about what drives you crazy about your old one. Is the freezer section too narrow to hold frozen pizza? Do the kids open the freezer door for ice so often that the ice cream is never solid? How many times have you hit your head trying to get the pickles at the back of the top shelf? Also think about what you like or would like to have. With these ideas in mind you are ready to shop for a refrigerator that will meet your needs.
Place the refrigerator conveniently close to the other two points of the cook triangle and close to a countertop or other flat surface. Putting things in or taking them out is much easier when you have a place to set them down.
Your kitchen will have many other important features, but establishing this triangle for convenient use will take you a long way in planning a functional kitchen where you'll love working.
Choosing a sink best suited for your needs from the many designs available requires self-evaluation as well as product research. As you evaluate your kitchen needs, pay attention to the way you use the sink as you cook and clean up. If you frequently use large pots and pans that don't fit into the dishwasher, you will want a deep sink that will accommodate the vessels. Deep farmhouse sinks are popular and accommodate large pots, but if your kitchen has only one sink, you may prefer a double bowl sink. With a double sink, you can use one side for dishwater while having the other side available for other cooking tasks.
Another option is a sink with bowls of different sizes. The smaller side may have the disposal so that you can rinse food away while the larger side is in use. One drawback is the small sink can be awkward to use and may result in water being splashed onto the counter. Ask friends and co-workers about the type of sink they have and what the pros and cons are. And ask if they would get the same sink again.
Other considerations for the sink area are type of faucet, counter space surrounding the sink, and location of the dishwasher. Faucets are available in many materials and designs, but even more important is the way the faucet functions. Is it easy to turn on and off and adjust from hot to cold? How does the sprayer work and is it easy to use? Is the faucet spout adjustable?
Allow several feet of counter space on each side of the sink. A crowded sink area will always be a source of discomfort in your kitchen. Whether it's dirty dishes on one side and clean dishes on the other or vegetables you're processing, you want plenty of space on both sides of the sink for the items you're working with.
Make sure that your dishwasher is conveniently located either just to the right or left of your sink. Most right handed people prefer the right side location, but either can work well. Also plan enough space for the dishwasher door to open fully without blocking movement in the kitchen or other appliances or cabinets.
Whether you choose gas, electric, an induction cook top, or some other type, try to learn as much as possible about the pros and cons of each type before you choose. Again ask friends and co-workers for their opinions. If you're choosing something different from what you've had, look for an opportunity to try it out first. Maybe the ease of cleaning a smooth cook top isn't as important to you as being able to see the flame beneath your pot as you adjust the heat.
Locate your cook top with sufficient counter space on each side. Having a place to set a pot off the burner or to set the batter bowl will eliminate many frustrations for the cook.
The final point of the cooking triangle is the refrigerator. In choosing a new refrigerator, think about what drives you crazy about your old one. Is the freezer section too narrow to hold frozen pizza? Do the kids open the freezer door for ice so often that the ice cream is never solid? How many times have you hit your head trying to get the pickles at the back of the top shelf? Also think about what you like or would like to have. With these ideas in mind you are ready to shop for a refrigerator that will meet your needs.
Place the refrigerator conveniently close to the other two points of the cook triangle and close to a countertop or other flat surface. Putting things in or taking them out is much easier when you have a place to set them down.
Your kitchen will have many other important features, but establishing this triangle for convenient use will take you a long way in planning a functional kitchen where you'll love working.