Kitchen Essential

The most informal arrangement, the eat-in kitchen can fit into almost any shaped room as long as it’s not too small.

A great benefit of this layout is that the cook need never feel left out from what’s going on at the table. On the down side of things it is impossible to close the door on kitchen mess.

The most usual configuration is to have a single-line or L-shaped kitchen, with the table in the middle of the room. When not in use, it can double as extra workspace, acting as an island in the room. You must be sure to leave at least one metre around the perimeter of the table to accommodate chairs. If space is a problem, consider having benches instead of chairs; they are not as flexible, but take up less room.

Another possibility, in a narrower room, is to have a single-line arrangement with the table against the opposite wall. Make sure, if there are overhead cupboards or shelves on this wall that they are not directly above the chairs.

With both these types of eat-in kitchen, try to find a dining table that complements the overall design of the room. For instance, in a country-style kitchen, you could choose an old scrubbed pine table; in a modern setting a simple ash or marble- topped table may be more appropriate. In many kitchens, there’s not the space for a proper table; the dining part of the room, then, may be a peninsula unit, or small return at the end of a sweep of worktop.

You may need to look for fold-up chairs, which can be stored away neatly when not in use, or stools, which can tuck away under the bar. Another possibility is to have a breakfast bar running along the length of the room in a narrow single-line kitchen. If space is at a premium, the bar can be hinged so that it folds down against the wall when it is not being used.

In a really tiny kitchen, the top drawer in a bank of drawers can conceal a pull-out table, which can also be used as extra worktop space when necessary.

An L-shaped kitchen can easily become an eat-in kitchen by positioning a table and chairs in the centre of the room. The table can function as an extra workspace, homework or sewing area. Be sure to allow a one metre perimeter around the table to accommodate the chairs and to provide a safe and functional work area.

Single-line kitchens maximise space and allow room for a dining area. If the bench area of the kitchen is inadequate the table can be used as an extra work surface. As with all eat-in kitchens, allow for the traffic flow by positioning the table and chairs so that at least one person can be working in the kitchen while others are seated.

When space is a problem a pull-down hinged surface can be incorporated into a single-line kitchen to create an eating area or extra worktop. Stools or folding chairs are best as they can be removed when the worktop is folded away, to increase the floor space. This handy work surface, when in use, creates a flexible galley-style kitchen.

The Kitchen Work Triangle

It’s been around for years, and although cliched, the so-called work triangle is a good starting point in the planning of your kitchen. In essence, it’s a way of organising elements so that the room can be used in the most efficient way.

Admittedly, not everyone demands the same thing from a kitchen, and with technological advances such as the microwave oven and dishwasher, priorities have changed over the years and the kitchen in general is used in a different way. However, the basic principles still apply.

The three major items in the kitchen are cooker, sink and refrigerator. These should be placed in a triangle, with the sink as the pivot point. Ideally, the triangle should be equilateral with sides of no less than 1.2 m, otherwise you will feel too cramped. Likewise, they should be no more than a couple of metres apart to avoid unnecessary walking.

If you decide on a cooktop (hob) and wall oven, and perhaps a microwave, it’s not always possible to group them together in the worktriangle. In that case, it’s probably a good idea to have the cooktop (hob) in the triangle, with the wall oven built into a bank of cupboards. The microwave oven, which doesn’t take up much room, can be placed on the worktop, mounted on a swivelling wall bracket, or built into a bank of cupboards. Remember to have it at a low enough level so that all the family can use it.

Another consideration is the dishwasher — even if you don’t plan to install one straight away it’s a good idea to make provision for one. That way, later plumbing and installation costs can be minimised. Ideally, it should be placed near the sink, within easy reach of cupboards in which crockery and glassware are stored.

For safety, the triangle should not be interrupted by a doorway; someone racing in unexpectedly could easily cause an accident.

Between each of the three appliances there should be sufficient work surface for reparing and cleaning up after meals. A set down space of at least half a metre should be allocated beside the refrigerator and stove for safety as well as convenience.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
The Eat-in Kitchen

• The Ultimate Kitchen Planner Part 4 (Decoration)
• Practical storage in the Kitchen, Pots, Pans, Bags of Groceries and Delicious Comforting Aromas
• THE Perfect Kitchen Layout (Major Traffic Position)
• Practical storage in the Kitchen, Pots, Pans, Bags of Groceries and Delicious Comforting Aromas continue...
• Kitchen Renovation, relocate Cabinets and Appliances with U-shape Kitchen Design
• Creating a new kitchen: How to Do It Part 1
• Ultra-Modern Kitchen Style Decoration Tips
• Space for Storage, the Single-Line Kitchen
• Conquering Clutter
• Kitchen zones in practice

Trackback URI | Comments RSS