As you may have read in one of our previous articles, the kitchen space or isles must have about four feet of space for the folks to move about. To ensure the efficiency of work triangle, the total distance back-and-forth between the ref, sink and stove should be at least twelve feet and no more than twenty-seven feet while still ensuring the four feet of moving space within.

Regardless of the floor area you have for your layout, there are different shapes and designs that you can adopt. Here are just a few of the most popular:

• L-shaped kitchen - This is by far the most common of all designs. It provides for open space and is suitable for any size kitchen. It gives you the possibility of having a center island but it usually depends on the available space that you have. This particular design allows for two to three appliances on one side but the usual arrangement is to have the ref at one end, the range at the other and the sink right in the middle. Because of the open space that it provides, this design generally provides good traffic flow.
• U-shaped kitchen - If you like to work with ample countertop space then this design is probably for you. There are three walls with the sink usually located in the middle wall. The ref and range are usually on the side walls opposite each other.
  
  Because of the ample spaces for countertops, then you also have spaces above them so this translates to more areas for cabinets. Both corners of the U-shape are ideally filled with corner cabinets too.
  
  One drawback of this design is that if you place too many cabinets above the countertop areas, the kitchen could become darker. But it is easily resolved by using large windows, installing flourescent lights under the cabinets and by using light colored paint or wallpapers.
• Galley-shaped kitchen - If you have limited space, this is the design to go with. "Kitchens" inside commercial airliners are designed this way because of the limited space. But you'd be surprised that some professionals even go to the extent of saying that this design is really suited for the serious cook regardless of whether the space is limited or not.
  
  Galley kitchens are usually used by only one cook for obvious reasons. The kitchen cabinets and the appliances can be located on opposite walls. The range can be stationed on one side of the kitchen along one wall and the refrigerator and sink on the opposite wall. But as we mentioned, this design is mainly for one cook so it is a good idea to place the ref next to the open area so as to eliminate traffic issues. For additional storage, you may want to consider installing tall cabinets.

It is important to understand that an efficient kitchen logically leads to kitchen efficiency. What that basically means is that when your kitchen design allows you to access all the necessary appliances and materials that you need without having to walk or stretch too far, then your work as a cook is also made a lot easier.

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To determine the type of kitchen that's suitable for your house and the area you have available, find a contractor for a professional opinion and free estimate.

Defined tags for this entry: efficient kitchen, kitchen design, kitchen remodel, range, refrigerator, sink, stove, work triangle