Triangle Rule in Designing Kitchens

CREATING EFFICIENT KITCHEN WORKSPACES

The kitchen is typically the most used room in any house. Having evolved from a closed-off room purely focused on function, today due to the ever popular open-plan design lifestyle, kitchens have become an extension of dining and living spaces.

Like any design discipline, SieMatic kitchen specialists make use of various design tools when planning fitouts for clients. One such rule is the “kitchen triangle” concept. Developed in the 1940s, the idea behind the kitchen work triangle is to set a balance between the placement of the fridge, stove and sink.

Clearly marking out distinct spaces between these three key elements ensures an ergonomic approach to space planning, minimizing unnecessary movement in the kitchen and encouraging productivity, efficiency and comfort. A line drawn to the fridge, stove and sink should create a relatively even-sided triangle.

At SieMatic we imagine kitchens as a creative hub in the home to enjoy the pleasures of cooking and entertaining; spending less energy and time bending, walking, twisting, lifting and cleaning.

For mid to larger size kitchens, as a general guideline, the distance between these areas should be no less than 1.2 meter and no larger than 2.7 meter. The sum of all three sides of the triangle should be between 4 meter and 8 meter. If the distance is too small, it can feel cramped and blocked. If it's too large, it makes cooking a hassle.

As the shape of your triangle will differ depending on the kitchen space, the lengths of the kitchen triangle don't have to be strictly even. The most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that the lines of the triangle aren't blocked by anything. It's usually a good idea to have one preparation space near the sink and one near the stove and to place storage for utensils, pots and spices near the stove for easy cooking.

While the kitchen work triangle is a great guide, by no means is it set in stone. You may have to design a kitchen with everything on a single wall — in which case the work triangle would be impossible to set up. Just be sure to pay close attention to each and every measurement when setting up your kitchen workspace— a few inches can make a big difference, especially in small kitchens.

Book an appointment today with our SieMatic kitchen design specialists in Dubai to learn about the latest innovations and décor styles in the world of kitchens.