Kitchen Design

1. Kitchen Design Creating a functional, aesthetic service area

2. Location • The kitchen is part of the service area of the house. Service areas are parts of the house where work is done. • The kitchen is the center for meal preparation and clean up. • The kitchen should be located near the dining room and service entrance to the home.

3. Work Centers • Work centers are the areas in the kitchen where specific tasks are performed and equipment is stored. • There are three main work centers in a kitchen: • Food Preparation and Storage Center • Cooking and Serving Center • Cleanup Center

4. Food Preparation and Storage Center • Food preparation and storage area: • This center focuses on the refrigerator. • 8-10 cubic feet of refrigerator space is needed for 2 people, plus another cubic foot for additional persons. • Types of refrigerators include top freezer, bottom freezer, and side-by-side. • The center should have cabinets for food storage and counter space beside the refrigerator for use as a mixing center.

5. Cooking and Serving Center • Cooking and Serving Area: • The cooking surface is the center of activity. The cooking surface could be a free-standing, slide-in, or drop-in range. • Power can be gas or electric. • Ovens may be part of the range or separate. • At least 24 in. of heat-resistant counter space is needed on each side of the range.

6. Cleanup Center • Cleanup Center: • This area focuses on the sink, but may also include a dishwasher and disposal. • Sink types include stainless steel, solid surface, porcelain, and granite. • 36 in. of counter space is needed for stacking dirty dishes and 18 in. is needed for clean dishes. • Storage is needed for dishes and cleaning supplies.

7. Work Triangle • Kitchens are arranged so that the three work centers form an imaginary triangle. • The work centers should be equally spaced so that the sum of the three sides does not exceed 22 feet. • Kitchens are more efficient if traffic goes around the center of the work triangle.

8. Work Triangle

9. Kitchen Designs • Kitchens should be well organized. • Kitchens are often the center of the home. • The work centers of kitchens can be arranged into a wide variety of designs. • There are six basic kitchen types.

10. U-Shaped Kitchen • Work centers are located on three adjacent walls. • Most efficient layout. • Provides a lot of cabinet and counter space.

11. L-Shaped Kitchen • Work centers are located along two adjacent walls. • Adapts well to a variety of room layouts. • Prevents traffic from passing through work triangle.

12. Galley or Corridor Kitchen • Work centers on two walls with an aisle between them. • Good choice for a narrow kitchen. • May have traffic passing through work triangle.

13. One-wall Kitchen • All appliances and cabinets are located along one wall. • Often used where space is limited. • Less efficient because of long work triangle.

14. Peninsula Kitchen • A U-shaped kitchen with a counter extending from one end. • Good way to add additional counter and cabinet space or separate rooms.

15. Island Kitchen • A U-shaped kitchen with a separate counter unit that stands alone. • The island can serve many functions.