Make Your Kitchen More Efficient with the Work Triangle

Few would associate triangles with kitchens, but when discussing it with a home remodeling company in Phoenix, AZ, like ourselves, it’s an important element in workspace design. We call this concept a work triangle. By following a few basic rules, it makes your everyday kitchen activity much more ergonomic and comfortable.

The Work Triangle

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, this is an imaginary line with the angles pointing to the three essential workspaces of every kitchen. They are the sink, the cooktop, and the refrigerator. You must be able to move with ease to any one of these areas at any time. This way, you have enough space to move around without feeling cramped.

Here are some guidelines on how to apply the work triangle to your kitchen design:

• Each side of the triangle should measure between four and nine feet, with the sum of all three sides not exceeding 26 feet.
• The triangle should not cut through an island or peninsula by over 12 inches.
• The sink should always be halfway between the cooktop and the refrigerator.
• No major foot traffic should cross through the triangle. For example, it shouldn’t be situated close to an entryway or hall.

With these guidelines, you and your home remodeling contractor in Phoenix, AZ, can apply these principles during planning. Keep in mind that the goal is to create an efficient and uninterrupted workspace so you can work faster and safer.

Some Limitations

Note that the work triangle works with the assumption that your kitchen only has the aforementioned three major workstations. The bigger your kitchen is, the more workstations there would likely be. In this situation, a triangle wouldn’t be ideal.

However, it is important to remember the guiding principle: you should be able to move between each workspace with ease. A bigger kitchen could have a prep station, a second stove, and so on. Think of the work triangle not as a hard and fast rule but a building block instead. You can apply this as a principle for your next expansion.

No matter what size you plan for your kitchen remodeling in Phoenix, AZ, Legacy Design Build Remodeling will be happy to help you make it a reality. Call us today at (480) 372-5001 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free no-obligation consultation.