by Allison Gunkel
From the quaintest bungalow to the largest luxury mansion, the kitchen is the room that gathers the household multiple times daily. Kitchens serve a number of functions from lively family dinners to afternoon homework sessions. They are exposed to high traffic volume, and withstand daily wear and tear from numerous users. It is not surprising then that the kitchen is referred to as the heart of a home.
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A space that has such an important role requires special attention to the layout and design. When it comes to planning the family kitchen space, it is important to understand the concept of the work triangle. The kitchen work triangle refers to the three major tasks completed in any kitchen:
- Food Storage - The largest component in food storage is the refrigerator. Pantry, cabinets, and rack systems also are pertinent depending on the space at hand.
- Cleaning/Prep - The kitchen sink and the counter space surrounding it is crucial for any functional kitchen and should not be overlooked.
- Cooking - Ovens and cooktops are the third major component in the work triangle. While other appliances now have a role in many kitchens, the range is still the most common and important.
Though used differently in every kitchen layout, the work triangle is ideal for making a kitchen functional.
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Corridor, or galley, kitchens exist where the workspaces can be separated into an equilateral triangle, with two stations on one wall and the third station centered on the parallel wall. Small and medium sized kitchens make great use of this layout, when the kitchen space is narrow or connecting two separate spaces. The average width of this kitchen ranges from 7 to 12 feet with optimal counter spaces of 4 to 5 feet.
The kitchen sink is best placed as the tip of the triangle, surrounded by counter space on both sides while set alone on one wall. This provides room for dishwasher installation while leaving under-counter cabinetry along the other wall. Though sometimes narrow, corridor kitchens eliminate great traveling distance from station to station. It is beneficial to many cooks to be able to reach the sink easily from both prep and cooking just by turning around.
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Corridor kitchens typically provide good storage options though space can be tight and is designed for only one cook’s presence. Appliances should be placed strategically so as to avoid traffic jams and interference when opening and closing doors. Keep this in mind when selecting new appliances. For example, side-by-side refrigerators are great in general but may not be functional in your kitchen layout.
Not as limited as the one-wall kitchen layout, corridor kitchens are simple yet highly functional. Any family cook can certainly make the most of the space available.
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