The work triangle is a geometric shape that you never learned in high school math. It refers to the optimal distance between three major work centers in the kitchen: the storage area, cooking center, and cleanup zone. It’s imperative–if you want to get around comfortably in your newly remodeled space–to employ a work triangle strategy from the design stage forward.
Typical arrangement of your kitchen will fall into one of several broad categories: an L-shape, a double-L shape, single wall, U-shape, or corridor (sometimes known as a “galley” shape). No matter your scheme, there’s a version of the work triangle that applies. You can view examples of the work triangle at Kohler.
Let’s section off your kitchen. The storage area includes your main cabinets, pantry, refrigerator and freezer. The cooking area is comprised of your stove, oven, cooktops, and microwave. And the clean-up area can include a food-prep countertop, sink, trash compactor, and dishwasher. There’s a graphic demonstration of the triangle with each section–along with photos and suggestions for the optimal distances between each section of kitchen at the Do It Yourself Network.
You’ll also find examples of the triangle for each major kitchen design shape at Merillat.com.
Kitchen Work Triangle Rules of Thumb
If you want room to work, you’ll want to map out your kitchen with:
• No single side of the triangle at less than four feet long or more than nine feet wide.
• No cabinetry or traffic should cut through the triangle (although you may include an island if the overall area allows for one).
• The complete perimeter of your triangle should add up to no less than 12 feet or no greater than 26 feet.
You may want to contact a professional for a quote in designing your triangle and work areas.
