A Professional Standard: The Kitchen Triangle
The kitchen triangle, also known as the working or golden triangle in the design industry, was developed in the early 20th century. This theory states that a kitchens main area, which includes a sink, stove, and fridge, should form—you guessed it—a triangle. The National Kitchen and Bath Association standards state that the sum of the distance travelled should not exceed 26 feet. Each leg should measure between 4 to 9 feet and no sides of the triangle should cut through a kitchen island or peninsula by more than 12 inches. If the distance is too small, it can make a kitchen feel cramped.
If it’s too large, it causes traffic in the kitchen making it less functional.
The purpose of the triangle is to allow you to move seamlessly through the zones of your kitchen. Its intent is to reduce the back and forth distance between each station so you can easily cook, clean and store. Applying the kitchen triangle concept solves a host of design problems relating to workflow, ergonomics, and aesthetics. When points on the triangle are too close, doors and drawers may clash, fridges may open onto stoves and sinks may be too close to stoves to allow space for food prep.
Kitchens are the heart of the home. They have become a place where often more than one person is cooking or meal prepping at the same time. It’s a space where kids do homework, parents create an office space, and friends and family gather for socializing. Because kitchens have transitioned into a multifunctional space, we often need to create two or three work zones to meet all our needs. Kitchens have grown dramatically in size over the years, and we’ve added elements such as islands and walk-in pantries to our designs. Does this new way of living still allow this design principle to hold true?
Kitchen experts would say this is stiII a good design concept to apply, regardless of the size of your kitchen and whether it needs to function for many purposes. When designing a kitchen, we can increase the functionality of these extended spaces outside the main triangle by adding prep sinks, fridge drawers, or additional appliances in secondary spaces, to keep the space unified and ensure it satisfies the ever-changing needs of our modern families.
An island is always a welcome addition to a kitchen. Not only does it provide extra workspace, it also provides a space to gather for conversation while someone is cooking/cleaning up the kitchen.
Co-produced with David Coulson Designs, photo by Tony Colangelo
Looking to Increase the Value of your Home or Upgrading your Appliances?
It might be time to renovate the kitchen. In the redesign, consideration can be given to whether you are hosting more guests and family or if you want to add more storage, prep space and flow.
With nearly 15 years of experience in the design industry, DB Interiors & Design is here to guide you through a wide range of challenges and make your dreams a reality. Each project starts with a paid, two hour design consultation. We’ll discuss your kitchen project and start by getting a deep understanding of how your space is used, specifically each zone, and discuss how you’d ideally like to see the new space function. We’ll review all your specifications and style preferences by reviewing your inspirational images to create a design package that fits your unique style and needs.
Our mission is to approach each project with a holistic vision, and we commit to designing spaces that are a true reflection of the people living in them.
Get in touch with questions.
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This article was included in May 2024’s edition of Issuu:
