"Work Triangle" vs. Functionality: How to Choose a Kitchen Layout?
The functionality of your kitchen should be determined by your lifestyle, not the other way around. The work triangle is not a dogma, but just a good tool for planning your kitchen space. Learn when to use it and when not to use it.
"Work Triangle" vs. Functionality: How to Choose a Kitchen Layout?
The functionality of your kitchen should be determined by your lifestyle, not the other way around. The work triangle is not a dogma, but just a good tool for planning your kitchen space. Learn when to use it and when not to use it.
The dominant geometric shape in most kitchens is the quadrilateral – from rectangular cabinets to square kitchen appliances. But it is the triangle, even if imaginary, that has always been one of the most important elements of kitchen design and functionality.
"The work triangle", by definition American Kitchen Designers Association (NKBA), This is an imaginary straight line that connects the center of the sink to the center of the cooktop, then to the center of the refrigerator, and back to the center of the sink. The NKBA makes the following recommendations:
"The work triangle", by definition American Kitchen Designers Association (NKBA), This is an imaginary straight line that connects the center of the sink to the center of the cooktop, then to the center of the refrigerator, and back to the center of the sink. The NKBA makes the following recommendations:
- The sum of the sides of the working triangle must exceed 8 m, and each side of the triangle must be no more than 120 to 270 cm. The working triangle must not extend more than 30 cm onto an island or peninsula.
Parallel kitchen
- If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed between or opposite the hob, worktop or refrigerator.
- It is necessary to plan the kitchen in such a way that the work triangle does not fall into the area of passage of people - guests or family members.
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U-shaped kitchen
Efficiency is the main goal of the work triangle. It allows you to place all the main work processes near the cook, while not having them too close to each other to avoid chaos in the kitchen. The work triangle also minimizes the movement of other people in the kitchen area so as not to interfere with the person who is cooking.
Corner kitchen
The work triangle, however, has its weaknesses. The pictures clearly demonstrate one of its shortcomings: it assumes that there will be only 3 main work nodes in the kitchen (sink, hob, refrigerator) and only one person will cook at a time.
"If you can't manage to plan with a classic triangle, you should try to design the kitchen as functionally as possible."
In large kitchens where additional units are added, the work triangle is no longer always a practical solution. Also, in many families today, people prefer to cook together. It is for these reasons that designers do not always follow the rule of the Work Triangle when planning a kitchen.
"We're not giving up on the idea of the standard work triangle, but planning a kitchen around it just to fit it isn't always a good idea," says Linda Larish, one of the leading kitchen designers in the United States. "In most kitchens we design, we use more than one work triangle. If you can't get away with a classic triangle layout, you should try to design your kitchen to be as functional as possible."
Remember, your lifestyle should determine the functionality of your kitchen and its layout, not the other way around. The work triangle is not a dogma, but just a convenient tool. And without denying its usefulness, don't let this rule set a rigid framework - let your imagination go beyond the triangle!
"We're not giving up on the idea of the standard work triangle, but planning a kitchen around it just to fit it isn't always a good idea," says Linda Larish, one of the leading kitchen designers in the United States. "In most kitchens we design, we use more than one work triangle. If you can't get away with a classic triangle layout, you should try to design your kitchen to be as functional as possible."
Remember, your lifestyle should determine the functionality of your kitchen and its layout, not the other way around. The work triangle is not a dogma, but just a convenient tool. And without denying its usefulness, don't let this rule set a rigid framework - let your imagination go beyond the triangle!
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