Planning a more efficient kitchen

If you find yourself constantly struggling to prepare a meal or navigate your kitchen without bumping into things, it may be time to remodel. A kitchen remodel can give you the opportunity to improve the efficiency of your area and give you the design you’ve always wanted. Here are some tips on how to design a more efficient kitchen.

Understand spacing
Many home improvement experts discuss something called the work triangle. This concept suggests that by creating a triangle between your primary cooking space, your refrigerator and your sink you maximize the efficiency of your space. The total distance between each point in the triangle should never exceed nine feet. As for the spacing between microwaves and cooking surfaces, it depends on whether or not you have a microwave-hood combo or a bottom-seated microwave. Microwave-hood combos should be at least 24 inches above the stovetop surface while bottom-seated microwaves need to be placed at least 15 inches off the floor.

Know storage needs
A crucial aspect of kitchen efficiency is having enough storage. This doesn’t always mean cabinets either. Storage can come on the form of overhead hanging racks for pots and pans. Hidden drawers and under pull-outs are perfect for extra storage when space is limited. Most experts recommend planning for at least 117 feet of shelf and drawer frontage in an average kitchen. This number will increase with larger kitchen spaces. To accurately calculate how much frontage you’ll need, multiply your cabinet width in inches by the cabinet depth in feet. Next multiply that number by the number of shelves you plan to have. This total should include at least 33 feet, more if your kitchen is larger, of the sink’s center line.

This kitchen design is the perfect example of an efficiently planned space.

Choose the right materials
The kitchen can be a site for accidents, but choosing the right materials for the space can prevent this. When choosing a flooring, think about how well it will hold up to spills and how easily you could slip on it. Counter surfaces should be covered in a material that won’t warp with water damage or crack under heat. Additionally, all appliances and hardware should be stainless steel to prevent rusting.

An inefficient kitchen can be a source of stress and frustration. In worst case scenarios, it can even be dangerous. By investing in a kitchen remodel, you not only have the opportunity to create the kitchen of your dreams, but you can make your cooking space the best it can be. Consult a design professional to help you assess your area and make suggestions as to what can be improved.