Hello World! Welcome Friends! A new kitchen is always an excellent investment for any home. It is where plenty of household activities happen – cooking, eating, conversing, scheduling, and entertaining. With so many things in a single area, the layout of your kitchen must be appealing, functional, and comfortable. Whether you are remodeling an existing kitchen, our guide will help you make a smart decision. If you are designing a kitchen, you may want to check this site to learn more about standard counter heights.
Kitchen Design Fundamentals
Check out the rules for designing a kitchen below:
1. Kitchen Space Planning Tips
Determining where everything will go is one of the challenging parts of designing kitchen layouts. Firstly, measure your available flooring area and then follow the tips below.
Walkways and Doorways
Make sure the kitchen floor incorporates sufficient space between the island and cabinetry for easy moving. Usually, paths all across the kitchen should be a minimum of 36” wide.
Aisles within the cooking area should be 42” wide for a single-cook kitchen and width should be 48” for multiple cooks. Furthermore, doorways into the kitchen must be 32” wide. If you’re planning to install swinging doors, they should not interfere with cabinets, other doors, or appliances.
Work Triangle
The work triangle is an important concept to take into account when designing a kitchen. It’s the triangle created by the sink, stove, and fridge. The triangle must be compact enough that it allows proper air circulation and enhances the kitchen functionality.
Usually, the total distance between the refrigerator, main cooking surface, and sink should not be above 26 feet. Moreover, the stretch of the work triangle should be between 4 – 9 feet.
If you plan to have multiple cooks in your kitchen, plan a triangle for every cook but make sure they do not cross each other. Also, it’s better if you avoid high-traffic walkways crossing via the triangle.
Microwave
The right height of the microwave will differ depending on the chef. If kids are using the device, a below countertop set-up is suitable and safe. However, for adults, microwave height must be 15” above the countertop.
Counters
When planning countertops, think about your needs for meal preparation. A kitchen must have at least 158” of countertop. Make sure you have a minimum of 24” wide area of countertop located next to the sink.
Expert kitchen designers also recommend at least 12” of countertop on one side of the cooking area and 15” on the other side. Moreover, including two countertop heights makes baking simpler and even allows children to get involved in meal preparation hassle-free.
Dishwasher and Sink
Sink and dishwasher space are also essential to keep in mind when renovating or designing a new kitchen. A side sink with landing regions should have a minimum of 24” of countertop on one side and 18” on another.
If the kitchen has another sink, permit a minimum of 3” of countertop on one side and 18” on another. Leave at least 21” between any nearby appliances or obstacles and dishwasher. Another vital rule is to install the nearest edges of the dishwasher with 36” of the nearest edge of the sink.
Seating
Ensure wide space in and around the seating area in the kitchen. Usually, a 28” to 30” area per diner is perfect. Permit 36” of clearance behind stools or chairs. Consider 18” in-depth knee area for counters of height 30“. For 48” counters, allow the knee space to be 12”. If a walkway is located behind the diner, ensure a 44” – 60” area in the layout.
2. Electrical and Ventilation Tips
For electrical and ventilation, you can take into account the following kitchen design guidelines:
- Minimum 8% of the total square footage of the kitchen must be skylights or windows.
- Have at least one light with wall-switch-controlled functionality. Make sure the switch is at the entrance.
- Install an outdoor ventilation system with an exhaust rate of 150 cubic feet of air/minute.
- Add task lights over every working area.
- Ensure a 15” clear area above the fridge.
- Install ductless range hood or microwave hoods minimum 24” above a kitchen stove as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Kitchen Design Safety Tips
Protect yourself and your family members by considering a safe kitchen layout. Here are some safety rules for designing a kitchen:
- Do not put a cooking surface under a useable window.
- Select countertops having rounded or clipped corners.
- Do not use flammable window treatments above an oven or stovetop.
- Keep fire extinguishers visible and accessible. Make sure the extinguisher is Class-B fire rated and positioned away from the cooking appliances. It’s best to test it after every six months. Also, ensure everyone in your home knows how to use it.
4. Kitchen Design Tips for Storage and Accessories
Although building regulations do not include kitchen storage and accessories, you can still follow the tips below for better organization.
- For small kitchen designs, add at least 117 feet of drawer frontage and shelf. But for a kitchen greater than 350 square feet, include a minimum of 167 feet.
- Cabinets should be deep enough to fit the largest bowls and plates.
- Maximize your vertical storage.
- Add as many drawers as you can
Other Tips
Here are some kitchen rules recommended by famous interior designers:
Kitchen Island
Kitchen island ideas can be an excellent add-on to your kitchen if you have sufficient space.
Allow a minimum of 1m around the island. Consider when measuring from the island back to the nearby cabinet or wall if you will have seating at the island.
Complete Open Layouts
The open kitchen layout is in trend right now. You can also separate this area from the rest of the house by adding an interior opening or a cut-out that looks into the living room.
All White
When designing a kitchen, you can also consider a white kitchen concept. White is safe and timeless. If you plan to have lighter countertops, make sure they are always clean. Furthermore, light countertops help you bounce light around the room.
Wrapping Up:
The kitchen is one of the most challenging areas when renovating, designing, or building a house. However, a successful kitchen fulfills both aesthetic and functional needs. We have listed some golden rules for designing a kitchen. Follow each of them to have a perfect kitchen in your home.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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How to Prepare for a Road Trip
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