Every kitchen should have three distinct work centers:
- Food storage and preparation
- Cooking
- Cleanup
Just as the kitchen’s work triangle has three points — cooktop, sink, and refrigerator — the kitchen itself has three work centers.
Many kitchen designers recognize these three major work centers.
When positioning these three work centers, they typically recommend forming a triangle between them. The shape and size of this triangle, as well as its location relative to doors and other high-traffic areas, all influence how efficient a kitchen work space is.
Even if you are interested in redesigning an existing kitchen and nothing else, it is a good idea to draw the rooms adjacent to the kitchen as they are so that you can clearly examine any traffic patterns that go through the kitchen.
As we plan a new layout for this kitchen, we should experiment with ways of keeping this traffic out of the kitchen work area – either by redirecting it or by moving the kitchen work area.
There is no single “best” work triangle configuration: only a simple set of guidelines, which means that you can experiment with a variety of placements that all provide you with a functional and efficient kitchen.
While the three work centers are very important in a good kitchen design, other appliances and fixtures are often used, and proper placement can maximize their usefulness, as well.
In summary, do not just think of the the actual kitchen triangle. Think of each component of the triangle as a work area and recognize that other appliances will also be brought into the area for certain meals. Minimize the traffic through and around the work area triangle.