Designing your home is exciting. Finally, you can have your dream living space, down to the last detail. Many families are most excited about designing their dream kitchens, envisioning a spacious layout that offers seamless flow and ample room for movement. With modern technology and thoughtful design, a new kitchen can feel like a culinary haven filled with endless possibilities. Keep these four rules in mind when creating your perfect kitchen space.
Plan Your Kitchen Doors: Huh? That’s right. Doors! These often overlooked design elements are much more important than you think. At Broadleaf Residential, we believe your perfect kitchen hinges on the perfect kitchen door.
The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends following these guidelines for kitchen doors:The opening of a doorway should be a minimum of 34 inches. While there’s no set national code standard, 34 inches gives people enough room to maneuver. To be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), increase your door width to 36 inches if you have a thoroughfare of more than 24 inches beyond the door.
Standard door sizes come in 18, 20, 24, 28, 30, 32, and 36-inch widths. Since 34 inches is a custom size, most planners opt for a 36-inch door. The doors in your kitchen should not interfere with the safe operation of any appliances. Again, this is best practice, not a national code standard. Refrigerator doors are most likely to interfere with this practice, since they are often located at the periphery of the room.
Organize the Kitchen Triangle: The National Kitchen and Bath Association describes a practice known as the “kitchen triangle,” in which experts suggest the sum of the three distances between kitchen workstations should be no more than 26 feet. Additionally, the distance between any one leg should be no less than 4 feet but no more than 9 feet.
Say, for example, you have three kitchen workspaces – a sink, a refrigerator, and a center island with a stove. Together, these three spaces form a triangle. There should not be more than 9 feet between each of them or less than 4. This assures the smoothest and safest kitchen operation. It also is ADA-compliant, which dramatically increases the number of people who can use your kitchen comfortably.
Choose Your Letter: Today’s kitchens come in one of many shapes: L, I, U, and galley styles. L-shaped kitchens are increasing in popularity, thanks to the open floor concept. I-shaped kitchens are somewhat rare, though they are still a hit for loft-style apartments and smaller spaces. You may find such designs on websites that specialize in loft-style apartments, thespacestation.co.uk is an example. Kitchens that feature a U shape are best for busy cooks who need everything within arm’s reach and at a moment’s notice. Finally, the galley-style kitchen is a classic option – efficient, predictable, and easy to cater to a modern lifestyle. Your kitchen shape should be a reflection of your personal taste, as well as your needs and budget.
Consider Appliance Layout: Before diving into the details, take a few moments to decide what you use your kitchen for the most. For example, if you’re more of a semi-homemade cook, having a microwave close at hand might make the most sense, and reading some microwave reviews will certainly help. On the other hand, a country-style sink might be your focal point if you’re preparing large meals for multiple children of different ages. Builders may have ideas for best practices, but it’s ultimately your kitchen – more than anything else, your kitchen should work for you.
