Kitchen Triangle

As homes and kitchens get larger, it's easy to attempt to pack as much as possible into them. But designing a floor plan that fits everything in with enough elbowroom for everyone in can be a difficult task. An efficient, well-designed floor plan can set the stage for an inviting, stylish and comfortable space that functions smoothly. There are several basic kitchen layouts to choose when designing a kitchen with a triangle in mind. There are L-shaped kitchens, Galley kitchen, U-shaped kitchen, Peninsula, corridor and organically shaped kitchens. However, factors like the size and shape of the actual room can limit your options.

Considering the kitchen work triangle will help you create a design that works! The "work triangle" is defined by the National Kitchen and Bath Association as an imaginary straight line drawn from the center of the sink, to the center of the cook top, to the center of the refrigerator and finally back to the sink. The NKBA suggests these guidelines for work triangles:

The sum of the work triangle's three sides should not exceed 26 feet, and each leg should measure between 4 and 9 feet.

The work triangle should not cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.

If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed between or across from the cooking surface, preparation area, or refrigerator.

No major traffic patterns should cross through the triangle.

Each layout type illustrates the working triangle, which helps to represents movement between each of the main activity areas.

Designer Stacy Allen works for http://www.theflooringkitchenbathsource.com Has designed many green projects and has hand selected green products to be featured online and retail showroom