STEP 2 – DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF KITCHEN YOU HAVE OR WANT
The this step, look at the physical layout of your kitchen. The arrangement of the three major appliances (range-top, sink, and refrigerator), the distance between them, and the number of openings into the room dictate your initial set-up for efficiency. Each of your major appliances defines a work center, and as you would walk from one to the other, you create a work triangle.
In Figure 1, you have a U-SHAPED KITCHEN. Each major appliance appears on a separate wall, with only one opening into the U. This arrangement is tops in efficiency because it has continuous work surfaces between the 3 appliances. The distance between all appliances is convenient, with no outside traffic cutting across the work triangle.
In Figure 2, you have a BROKEN U-SHAPED KITCHEN. Each major appliance appears on a separate wall with more than one opening into the U.The distance between appliances is convenient, but there will be outside foot-traffic interrupting the work triangle. Some counter space is lost to the doorways.
In Figure 3, you have a L-SHAPED KITCHEN. Two major appliances appear on one wall with the other on the adjacent wall forming an “L”. The distances between range top and sink, and between sink and refrigerator are good, but the longer walk from refrigerator to the range makes it less efficient. The outside foot-traffic will not cut between work centers unless the counter space is broken by a doorway.
In Figure 4, you have a TWO-WALLED (CORRIDOR) KITCHEN. The major appliances appear on two opposite (parallel) walls. The distance between the appliances is convenient, but the corridor, if too narrow, could become crowded when opening cabinet and appliance doors. If there is an opening at both ends, outside foot-traffic could be a problem.
In Figure 5, you have a one-walled kitchen. All three major appliances are on one wall. This arrangement can be very compact, but needed counter space is sacrificed when keeping the outside two appliances within a comfortable walking distance from each other.
Check out Lifestyle Systems complete line of drawer and shelf organizers for the home and office at www.lifestylessystems.com. If you want to be an active participant to change/plan your kitchen download the corresponding worksheet for the workshop by clicking on the worksheet below:
Worksheet 1 – Cooks Profile
Worksheet 2 – Draw Your Kitchen
Worksheet 3 – My Work Triangle
Worksheet 4 – Location Of My Work Centers
Worksheet 5 – Measure My Counterspace
Worksheet 6 – Measure Heights of Work Surfaces
Worksheet 7 – Part 1 – Kitchen Storage Test
Worksheet 7 – Part 2 – Measure Your Kitchen Storage
Worksheet 8 – Part 1 – Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 2 – Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 3 – Tableware Storage Checklist
Worksheet 8 – Part 4 – Tableware Checklist Continued
Worksheet 8 – Part 5 – Supplies and Food Items Checklist
Worksheet 9 – Measure Points You Can Easily Reach In Your Kitchen
Worksheet 10 – How To Place Items In A Work Center
Worksheet 11 – Part 1 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 11 – Part 2 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space
Worksheet 11 – Part 3 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 11 – Part 4 – Suggestions For Maximizing Storage Space In My Kitchen
Worksheet 12 – A Shopping List For Kitchen Equipment And Tableware
Worksheet 13 – Survey The Lighting And Electrical Outlets In My Kitchen
Worksheet 14 – Decorating Your Kitchen
Worksheet 15 – Gather Samples For My Kitchen
Worksheet 16 – Part 1 – Sources And Appointments
Worksheet 16 – Page 2 – Budget and Priority Schedule For My Kitchen
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