The ideal kitchen for a happy kitchen
Regardless of what you’re trying to do, the right tools play a crucial role. A well-designed kitchen can transform cooking from a duty into a pleasure. For years I had to make do with a small cubicle. Then we built a house and I was able to design my own kitchen. Now I love cooking for my family and friends.
Knowing basic principles of kitchen design can be useful at any time. Sometimes moving your appliances around can make a big difference. Whether it’s renovating a kitchen or planning a new one: don’t trust architects or professional kitchen planners. They cannot know the habits and requirements of your family like you. Only you can understand what you really need and what fits you and your budget.
A functional kitchen improves your life
When we decided to build a house, I bought a lot of books on kitchen design. It is advisable to rely on the literature, as most kitchen design websites are heavily influenced by advertising. I cannot recommend any of them.
When planning your kitchen, first ask yourself what you really need. Do you like baking and roasting or do you prefer fried and boiled food? How much fridge space do you need? How many sinks do you need? Is there 1 cook in your kitchen or do you want enough space for 2 or more cooks? Do you want to have breakfast and make simple meals in your kitchen or do you want to use it only for cooking?
The washing machine in the kitchen?
One of the most important questions is: Do you want to place your washing machine in the kitchen? If yes, you need more space, not only for the machine, but also for the related appliances, such as the dryer, iron, ironing board, and storage space for dirty clothes.
Traffic report:
Before going into planning details, consider the traffic your kitchen will have to withstand. People will walk into your kitchen, going from the fridge to the sink, cabinets and stove. Do children need easy access to drinks and snacks? Will there be traffic through your kitchen to other destinations? Is there a back door, pantry or basement door?
Mark the main traffic routes on a map and go from there. If you have a small kitchen with many doors, it may be useful to consider closing one of them to reduce traffic and gain more space. It is also important that the kitchen has an easy connection to the dining room and the living room. Most of our free time is spent in these areas and good design can greatly improve your family life.
The work triangle:
The work triangle used to be the basis of kitchen planning. This triangle is formed by the refrigerator, the kitchen and the sink. By conventional rules, the triangle is the shortest distance between the fronts of each appliance. The triangle must not be more than 8 meters (26 feet). A single leg must measure at least 1.23 meters (4 feet) and no more than 2.74 meters (9 feet). The cook must be able to walk without hindrance from one appliance to another. I followed this rule in my kitchen and I am very happy with it. Friends of ours have built a huge house with an equally large kitchen. They did not consider it necessary to consider something as prosaic as the work triangle. The result is a beautiful kitchen in which you have to walk seven meters from the fridge to the sink; cooking in this kitchen requires a lot of exercise.
Although the triangle of employment has been a useful guide for generations, today it tends to be oversimplified. Today we use more than 3 appliances in the kitchen; the microwave and dishwasher have to fit into the concept, as well as the blender and other appliances. Still, the triangle is still a good starting point.
Choosing the right equipment:
After you have placed the triangle in your kitchen layout, decide how to position the other appliances. The dishwasher should always be located directly next to the sink. There are many options for ranges, wall ovens and built-in kitchens. The main question is: do you want to cook with gas or electricity? Once you’ve chosen, find out about available appliances. The ventilation hood should always be located on an exterior wall so that the fumes go directly outside. If the road is too long or winding, a top will never work properly.
Having enough space in the fridge is essential. As a general rule, you need half a cubic meter (500 liters) for the first two family members and another 0.04 cubic meters (40 liters) for each additional family member.
Kitchen gabinets:
Cabinets influence the look of your kitchen. What you choose depends on your budget and your taste. Keep in mind that cabinet surfaces must be easy to clean and waterproof. If you choose wood for your custom cabinet doors, be careful to buy seasoned wood. If the wood is too fresh, it will change shape as it dries. Avoid open shelving as much as possible – dust will settle everywhere.
Countertops:
You can never have too much work surface in your kitchen. There are many options for countertops, from polished concrete to marble, depending largely on your budget. Although marble is beautiful, I would not use it for kitchen countertops. Marble stains easily, can crack when exposed to heat, and is difficult to clean. The height of the countertop should be chosen in accordance with the height of your body. The standard is 72 centimeters. For me this is too low. My countertops are 36 inches high because I like to cut vegetables and cook standing up.
Sink:
The choice is endless and depends on your taste and budget. I believe in oversized sinks as they make life easier. I have 2 jumbo stainless steel sinks with non-scratch surface and I am very happy with them. The non-scratch surface is much stronger and much easier to clean than the common smooth stainless steel surface.
Island of cooking:
If you have a large kitchen, you may want to outfit it with a kitchen island. An island can be anything from a simple dining table to an additional cooking station equipped with a sink and hood. Remember the following guidelines: The work aisle between an island and the opposite counter must be at least 1.06 meters (42 inches) wide. If there are 2 cooks, the distance must be at least 1.22 meters (48 inches). If you also want to use your island for dining, plan a seating area that is 24 inches (61 centimeters) for each person.
If your current kitchen leaves a lot to be desired, don’t despair: great food can be prepared in the most humble of conditions. You are the cook; you infuse your dishes with your energy, your spirit and your personality. Whatever the setting, if you cook with love, it makes a world of difference.
