A kitchen is a busy area for major activity, so it is important that sufficient space be allocated for the kitchen to run efficiently and safely. Studies have shown that there are three key work zones – known as the “Kitchen Triangle”.

Tip 1: Classic Kitchen Layouts – Creating Working Zones in your Kitchen

1.  Storage – typically the food pantry or cupboard and fridge
2.  Preparation – refers to the cooktop and oven
3.  Clean up – focuses on the sink and dishwasher

Although there is a certain amount of crossover between the three key areas, each has its own particular requirements and appliances. It may be helpful to consider how these three areas in your current kitchen operate: Is there enough space to prepare and store food? Is the dishwasher located near where you store your crockery and cutlery? Are two people able to be in different key areas of the kitchen without getting in each other’s way?

Of course, depending on your kitchen, additional key areas, such as a breakfast bar or laundry, may also need to be taken into account.

The Work Triangle is an often used method for helping with placement of these zones.

Tip 2: Work Triangle

An often-noted consideration to make when deciding on the layout of your kitchen is the concept of the ‘work triangle’. That is, the fridge and pantry (storage), the oven and cooktop (preparation) and the sink dishwasher(clean up), should be placed on three separate walls (or two walls and an island), forming a triangle when a line is drawn between them. The smaller the kitchen work triangle, the smaller the walking space between them. Of course, some kitchens will not be able to accommodate this type of layout.

The notion of the work triangle arose out of a desire to create optimum efficiency in the kitchen – each point represents a step in the sequence of food flow in the kitchen. Although the ‘work triangle’ has been a popular concept in kitchen design since the middle of last century, there has been some move away from this notion in contemporary kitchen planning. Today, the typical kitchen will incorporate many more appliances (such as dishwasher, microwave and espresso machine), so that each work zone (food storage, food preparation and clean up) will contain more than a single key appliance. Today’s space planners, therefore, are gradually being more influenced by getting ‘work zones’ in order, rather than maximising the ‘work triangle’. Of course, consideration should be made for both concepts of kitchen efficiency – although some compromise is inevitable.

Tip 3: How to create good storage

We are forever looking for ways to maximize the space in the kitchen.  Remember that kitchen storage doesn’t only include kitchen cabinets – it also includes the use of hooks, racks, containers, drawer dividers and more. Many are affordable and easy to incorporate into your existing kitchen.

When choosing kitchen drawers, full-extension drawers and pull-outs are the best choice in terms of being able to see the full contents of the drawer as opposed to peering into the dark recesses of old-fashioned drawers and cabinets for that elusive paring knife or melon-baller.

Door mounted storage racks and pull out bins area are a great way to de-clutter the countertop and limited shelving space. Use wall-mounted racks, shelving or hooks to hang cookware, tea towels, and kitchen accessories.

The airspace above the kitchen island (which in itself creates lots of storage if you add in cupboards and drawers!) is often overlooked and unutilized. Installing a free hanging shelving rack from the ceiling to store hang pots and pans, cooking utensils for easy access is a popular method to create more storage. Be mindful to adjust height of the rack so it won’t interfere while you work in the kitchen.

Planning additional kitchen storage maximizes and organises your kitchen’s square footage, and it increases the functionality, efficiency and overall appearance.

For more information on our various kitchen designs, please visit our Gallery. Our Gallery brings together a selection of our custom kitchen designs ranging from traditional to contemporary kitchens. Each kitchen style has the flexibility to work in any home environment and can be designed to suit all tastes and budgets.

For a free quote and free design consultation please contact us at Harrington Kitchens on (02) 4647 4474 or submit an online enquiry, alternatively you are welcome to visit the Harrington Kitchens Showroom at 12 Graham Hill Road Narellan NSW.