While deciding your kitchen layout, you have to take several things into consideration - adequate light, ventilation, and most importantly, functionality. More than the colors of the tiles, or the cabinets, or the counter tops, what is important is the ease with which you can, or should be able to, function in the kitchen. Here are some helpful tips to make your kitchen functional first, and beautiful later.
The Shape of the Kitchen and Available Space
There are essentially 4 types of kitchen shapes or layouts that are possible. These plans play an important role in determining the placement of various appliances and storage spaces in the kitchen.
- The Corridor Kitchen: This kitchen shape is identified by parallel work top counters. One of the sides will house the refrigerator and the cooking range or sink.
- The U-Shaped Kitchen: Similar to the corridor kitchen, this kitchen has an additional counter top that connects the parallel work tops.
- The L-Shaped Kitchen: As the name suggests, the counter tops are placed in an L-shape that uses a corner. The refrigerator also fits into the L-shape. If spacious enough, this kitchen can house a small breakfast table.
- The Island Kitchen: An island counter is one that is placed in the center of the kitchen, with the other counter tops running in any of the above-mentioned shapes. If you are working on a layout with an island counter, then ensure you have adequate space around the island counter, for easy movement.
The most important factor to be considered while planning your kitchen is the work triangle. A work triangle is essentially meant to reduce unnecessary movement from the sink, to the refrigerator and the cooking range. Ideally, the three of these should be placed in a triangular fashion, in order to provide easy access to the most important areas of the kitchen. Important rules regarding the work triangle are:
- Any side of the triangle should not exceed a length of nine feet, neither should it be any less than four feet.
- The triangle should be formed in an area of uninterrupted work space. No cabinets or other appliances should be placed in the path of the work triangle.
- The perimeter of the triangle should not exceed 26 feet, neither should it be any less than 12 feet.
- In case of a layout with an island counter, ensure that the work triangle is within the space between the island and the regular counter top.
Incorporating Appliances
Enlist all the appliances you would like to incorporate in your kitchen. Sometimes the kitchen size may not be adequate to fit all appliances. In such a case, give preference to appliances that you require more often than the others. The following is the list of appliances that are usually placed in a kitchen:
- Cooking Range/Counter Top Stove: Ensure that there is counter space on either side of the cooking range for preparation and serving. It can also be placed on an island counter. Never place a cooking range in a corner.
- Refrigerator: A refrigerator is a bulky appliance and should be placed in the corner, and not between counters.
- Dishwasher: This goes below the counter, ideally next to the sink, and will reduce lower cabinet space.
- Microwave: If possible, you can create a tall cabinet with a space for a microwave oven in order to save counter space. The maximum height at which the microwave is placed, should not exceed 4 feet.
- Electric Oven: Similar to the space for the microwave, the electric oven can be placed above, or below the microwave oven, as per your convenience. The height should be adequate for you to be able to operate, and keep a watch on, the oven with ease.
- Food Processor: This appliance requires counter space.
- Toaster: A toaster does not require much space and can be easily tucked into one corner on the counter.
- Hand Blender: This can be placed on a stand on the wall and does not require any separate counter space.
Storage
Determine your storage requirements and accordingly allocate space for the same within your kitchen layout. You can accommodate storage in the form of cabinets above the counter tops, except for spaces where there is a window, or to accommodate a chimney above the cooking range. Similarly, storage can be incorporated in the form of cabinets below the counter, except for the space required for the dishwasher. In some cases, an island counter can also be used to increase storage below the counter. As mentioned before, if possible, the tall unit that houses the microwave and the oven, can also be used for storage above and below these appliances.
You can work around these thumb rules while planning your kitchen layout, and create your dream kitchen around it!
