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Figure 6-13: Clear Floor Space required in kitchens (C) J Wiley, S Bliss Kitchen Layout & Design Principles

Kitchen layout & design principles:

This article explains the basic principles of kitchen layout and design, including the layout and clearances for different types of kitchen activities or work centers, and kitchen layouts for one and two-cook kitchens.

This article series discusses current best design practices for kitchens and bathrooms, including layout, clearances, work space, and accessible kitchen and bathroom layout, clearances, turning space, grab bars, controls, etc. We include advice on choosing and installing kitchen countertops, cabinets, and kitchen or bathroom flooring, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures and fixture controls such as faucets. A list of kitchen and bath product manufactures and sources is included.

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Kitchen and Bath Best Design Practices

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S BlissAs detailed in Chapter 6 of Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) :

[Click to enlarge any image]

Kitchen Design Basics

Whether designing a small galley kitchen or an expansive space for multiple cooks and entertaining, the same rules apply regarding clearances and relationships between key work centers so that work in the kitchen flows smoothly and efficiently.

While the traditional American kitchen developed around three main appliances—the sink, range, and refrigerator—today’s kitchen may have many more centers of activity, including the following list adapted from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA):

Kitchen Design Guidelines

In 1992, the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) introduced new design guidelines based on research conducted at the University of Minnesota. These have been expanded and revised over time to reflect the continuing evolution of kitchen design and usage.

The key kitchen design rules are shown below. Accessibility recommendations are listed separately here, but they are now incorporated into all NKBA guidelines.

Kitchen Walkways and Kitchen Work Aisles

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss


Kitchen work aisles with counters or appliances on both sides should be at least 42 inches wide for a one-cook kitchen and 48 inches wide for a two-cook kitchen.

Walkways in kitchens, which may have a work counter on one side, should be at least 36 inches wide and should not cross the work triangle (see Figure 6-1).

[Click any image or table to see an enlarged version with additional detail, commentary & source citation.]

Kitchen Work Triangle Specifications

The shortest walking distance between the refrigerator, primary sink, and primary cooktop should be 26 feet or less, as shown in Figure 6-1 above. Each leg of the triangle should range from 4 to 9 feet long. No major walkway should pass though the triangle, and no corner of an island or peninsula should intersect the triangle by more than 12 inches.

Two-Cook Kitchen Work Triangles

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

In a two-cook kitchen, each person should have his or her own work triangle of less than 26 feet.

The two kitchen work triangles may share a leg, but they should not cross one another (Figure 6-2).

Conflicting Kitchen Entry, Appliance, Cabinet Doors

All entry doors, appliance doors, and cabinet doors should swing freely without interfering with another door.

Kitchen Cabinet Frontage Recommendations

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

Provide the minimum cabinet frontage shown in Table 6-1 at left.

Do not count difficult-to-reach wall cabinets over hoods or refrigerators unless special access is provided.

A pie-cut lazy Susan base counts as 30 inches.

Tall cabinets 72 inches or higher can count as either base or wall cabinets as follows: for 12-inch-deep cabinets, multiply frontage by one to count as base cabinets and by 2 to count as wall cabinets.

Double these amounts for 21- to 24-inch-deep tall cabinets.

Kitchen Counter Heights and Edge Specifications

Provide at least two counter heights in the kitchen with one 28 to 36 inches high and the other 36 to 45 inches high. Varied heights create work spaces for various tasks and for cooks of different heights, including seated cooks. Also, clip or round over countertop corners and edges to eliminate sharp edges.

Dishwasher Work Center Location

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

Locate the dishwasher within 36 inches of the sink and allow at least 21 inches of clearance between the dishwasher and any counters, cabinets, or appliances placed at a right angle to the dishwasher.

If possible, allow 30 inches of clear floor space on each side of the dishwasher so two people can work at the same time (Figure 6-3).

Kitchen Sink Work Center Location

Locate the primary sink between or across from the cooking surface, food preparation area, or refrigerator (Figure 6-4).

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

Food Preparation Area Specifications

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

Provide 36 inches of continuous countertop, at least 16 inches deep, immediately adjacent to a sink.

For a two-cook kitchen, provide either two separate 36-inch spaces or one 72-inch space adjacent to a sink (see Figure 6-5).

Recycling Center Area Specifications for Kitchens

Unless provided elsewhere in the plan, provide at least two waste receptacles in the kitchen, one for garbage and one for recyclables.

Cooktop Work Center Design Specifications

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

Oven Landing Space Needed in Kitchens

Provide at least 15 inches of landing space, a minimum of 16 inches deep, next to or above the oven.

If the oven does not open into a traffic area, the landing space can be directly across from the oven by no more than 48 inches.

Microwave Work Center Measurements

Locate stand-alone microwave ovens so that the bottom of the appliance is 24 to 48 inches above the floor.

Provide at least 15 inches of landing space, a minimum of 16 inches deep above, below, or to the side of the microwave oven.

Refrigerator Work Center Specifications

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

 

Provide at least 15 inches of counter space as a “landing area” adjacent to the handle side of the refrigerator or on both sides of a sideby- side refrigerator.

Alternately, provide 15 inches of countertop directly across from the refrigerator and no more than 48 inches away.

With a side-by-side unit, provide easy access to a counter from the fresh food side (Figure 6-7).

Overlapping Work Centers

Where countertop areas of two work centers (e.g., sink, refrigerator, food preparation) overlap, the minimum counter frontage between the centers should equal the longest of the required two lengths plus 12 inches.

Tall Cabinets Between Work Centers

Do not separate two primary work centers (primary sink, refrigerator, preparation area, or cooking center) by a full-height, fulldepth tower such as an oven cabinet, pantry cabinet, or refrigerator. One exception is a corner-recessed tall tower if knee space is planned to one side.

Kitchen Eating Area Design Specifications

Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss
Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss
Figure 6-1: Kitchen & Bath Design (C) J Wiley S Bliss

Kitchen Wiring for Use of Electrical Devices

Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all receptacles within the kitchen. Locate wall-mounted room controls, including electrical receptacles, switches, thermostats, telephones, and intercoms, between 15 to 48 inches above the finished floor.

Home Kitchen Fire Protection Advice

A fire extinguisher should be visibly located in the kitchen away from cooking equipment and 15 to 48 inches above the floor. Smoke alarms should be installed near the kitchen.

Natural Lighting for Kitchens

The combined area of windows and skylights should equal at least 10% of the square footage of the kitchen. Also, every work surface should be well illuminated by appropriate task or general lighting. (see Kitchen Lighting Requirements).

Kitchen and Bath Product Manufacturers, Sources, Associations

- - Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) .

Kitchen Design Articles


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Continue reading at KITCHEN CABINET DESIGN GUIDE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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CABINETS & COUNTERTOPS - home

KITCHEN DESIGN, ACCESSIBLE

KITCHEN LAYOUTS, Typical

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