Kitchen design strategies
The kitchen is the hub of most of your families activities. It is the laboratory from which comes forth the many marveled mysteries housewives and cooks alike whip up. If you are considering designing a new kitchen or are redesigning an existing one, you are surely aware of how important proper design and organization is in the kitchen.
A properly designed and organized kitchen is not only lovely to look at, but is also a wonder of efficiency, convenience, and function. Any accomplished cook will tell you that one of the secrets to achieving culinary success is to have a properly designed and equipped kitchen. That way, the cook does not waste time with trivial matters such as whether he or she might trip on the cords, or how to get by a cabinet that is in the way, or how to plug in a blender when the outlet is well beyond reach. With the mind fully absorbed in cooking, these things may prove more disastrous than annoying.
Here are a few tips to look at while designing your kitchen.
Space
The single, most profound element of good kitchen design is space. It’s more complicated that just worrying about having enough space to lay your bowls. For one, you really have to consider just the right amount of space to move about yet not be encumbered by having to take too many steps to get from the sink to the fridge.
One guideline worked up for this purpose is the ‘work triangle'. The work triangle is an imaginary line starting from the sink, all the way to the cook top, down to the fridge, and back to the sink. The total length of this imaginary triangle should be about 26 feet, with no segment being less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet.
This rule of the thumb has many fans, as well as critics. However, it is a good place to start when considering the kitchen layout.
Organization
You must design ahead of time to accommodate a growing number of cookware, cutlery, and other kitchen utensils. You also have to assign space for supplies such as fruit, vegetables, meat, and others. Make sure the supplies and equipment you need are arranged in an area where they are easily accessible when needed. The supplies that are to be placed in a dry area should be put in such an area. You will have to install various cabinets and containers for such.
Make sure the equipment you place in the kitchen is not cluttered about. When moving about in the kitchen, you shouldn't have to go around or hurdle certain equipment. This is not only unsightly, but also poses a danger for accidents and mishaps.
You should also arrange the equipment so that doors don't hit them when opened.
Equipment
Try to simulate your normal kitchen routine. Where do you go? What do you need? What steps do you usually take? Take all of these into consideration when laying out the format of your kitchen. Use this guide to determine where you should place all your equipment. Make sure there are outlets in the areas where you will be needing electricity and that they are not in areas that get wet often.
Architecture
It would be best if the kitchen doors are wide and not knobbed. Swivel doors can be a viable alternative to doors that have knobs. You will want easy access to other rooms even if your hands are full.
Design your walls so that they are protected against the heat and against smoke stains and other kitchen stains. Consider installing a vent to get rid of the smoke and gases that accumulate during kitchen routines. If you can have your ceiling higher than normal, then that would be a good thing too.
In Case of Doubt Call the Experts
A contractor and an interior design expert can also assist you if you need advice on the layout of your kitchen. Make sure you make your intentions and desires known early on so that they can adjust to your needs.
Conclusion
You can design your kitchen after your own image and cooking style. However, remember the tips listed here are so that you can have a sure guide towards designing your dream kitchen today.
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