WHAT IS THE KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE?
The kitchen work triangle is a design principle involving the arrangement of the stove, sink and refrigerator in an equal triangle layout. This design keeps your appliances close, but not too close, so you can easily move throughout your kitchen while you create.
Use this guide to learn more about the benefits of a kitchen work triangle and how to set one up to help streamline your experience in the kitchen.
KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE BENEFITS
The main benefit of a kitchen work triangle is the centralization of your cooking and ingredient prep station. By keeping your refrigerator, stove and sink all within reach, you can easily move through each step of the cooking process without any obstructions.
If you’re creating a dish with a friend or loved one, the work triangle also helps to prevent you from bumping into each other as one person grabs ingredients from the refrigerator while the other sautees on the stove.
IS THE WORK TRIANGLE OUTDATED?
The work triangle concept is evolving as kitchen designs diversify. While the traditional design principle may not flow with some kitchen layouts and appliance placements, the rules can be tweaked based on the design of your kitchen and your individual needs.
KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE GUIDELINES
The work triangle dates back to 1940 at the University of Illinois, where a group of architects used basic geometric rules to streamline the three workstations within a kitchen to eliminate unnecessary movement and obstacles.
Explore the guidelines of a traditional kitchen work triangle below.
The three points of the triangle are your sink, stove and refrigerator.
The distance between each point of the triangle should be no greater than nine feet apart, but no less than four feet.
Cabinets should not intersect any of the pathways created by the triangle by more than one foot.
Keep in mind, these rules can be bent and modified to accommodate the layout of your kitchen.
KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE LAYOUT DIMENSIONS
The dimensions of your kitchen work triangle can vary based on the size and design of your kitchen. Traditionally, the total length of all three sides of the work triangle falls between 13–26 feet, as the distance between each point should be between 4–9 feet.
INCORPORATING THE KITCHEN WORK TRIANGLE WITH AN ISLAND
If you’re installing a kitchen island, you can slightly modify the rules of the work triangle to fit your space. You can make the island one of the points by installing a sink or cooktop into the structure, or you can shape the triangle around the island and use it solely as an extra prep area.
The rules of a kitchen work triangle aren’t set in stone. They were designed to be modified to fit naturally in a variety of layouts. The way you place your work triangle should fit your specific needs and preferences.
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