When you’re in the kitchen, you’re on a mission. Whether it’s getting some breakfast in you before you rush out the door, packing lunches for the entire family, or getting dinner on the table so you can start relaxing – the more efficient your kitchen is, the more time you can spend doing what you love. And if cooking is what you love, then an organized, efficient kitchen will make you love it even more!
The Kitchen Triangle
The space between your refrigerator, sink, and stove is known as the Kitchen Triangle. It’s the most used space in your kitchen, and as such has a big impact on the efficiency of your cooking space. The idea of the kitchen triangle made its way into interior design theory after a series of time motion studies that were conducted during the 1940s. According to efficiency specialists, no one side of the triangle should be less than 4 feet, or more than 9 feet, and the sum of all three sides should be between 13 feet and 26 feet. Furthermore, there shouldn’t be any cabinets, islands, or storage units within the Kitchen Triangle.
Countertop Space Requirements
If you have the opportunity to design your dream kitchen from scratch, take the time to carefully consider your countertop space. The space beside the refrigerator, sink and stove are the most crucial – which makes sense when taking into account the Kitchen Triangle. When it comes to the sink, make sure that you have at least 24” on one side, and 18” on the other. Alternatively, dedicate a 36” area near the sink for food preparation. The refrigerator should have at least 15” on one side, and the stove should have at least 15” on one side, and 12” on the other.
Bear in mind that these space requirements are to be considered the minimum. If you have the space to expand, do so! That said, in many of today’s condos and apartments kitchen space is a luxury. Consider using a moveable butchers block table, or expandable, wall mounted counter space that can be put into action when you need it, and tucked unobtrusively away when you don’t.
Organize with a Purpose
Once you’ve put all that work into building an efficient kitchen, take the time to organize your kitchen tools in an equally organized and thought out fashion. Keep large, heavy items like pots, bowls, and colanders in deep slide out drawers. If you don’t use your mixer everyday, save on counter space and dedicate it too to a lower cabinet or sturdy drawer. Like your drawer for the utensils you use while cookies (spoons, flippers, tongs, etc), make sure that you choose a space close to the stove. Use drawer dividers to organize pot lids and storage containers, instead of letting them fall all over the place in a cupboard. Store everyday utensils, glasses, plates, bowls, and cups near the sink and/or dishwasher. This makes unloading the dishwasher so quick and painless even your teenager will do it!
Have More questions about optimizing your kitchen efficiency or how you much time you can save by doing so? Contact Us today and we would be more than happy to answer your kitchen questions!