The Math Behind an Awesome Kitchen
The heart of the home and the room most likely to win you oohs and ahhs from friends and family (when it’s done well) is the kitchen. Consequently, it is the room that is most often getting remodeled, and it’s also the most expensive and challenging to remodel. Although you may be planning to hire an accredited kitchen designer, you should familiarize yourself with all the information below. It could save you money and prevent the pain of something not coming out as it should.
If there is a remodel in your kitchen’s future, here are some incredibly smart, important mathematical guidelines to get the most out of your remodel.
Space Planning is Key
Before you get to the fun part of choosing the amazing finishes and picking out the latest appliances, space plan the heck out of it. Safety and accessibly are counting on you!
What do You Have to Work With
Measure everything. Then measure it again. What must you work around? Plumbing is often fixed, and if so, you are locked in where your sink can live. However, you can increase the size or look. Many remodels look dramatically larger and offer lots more space that you originally had.
Doorways and Walkways: How to Avoid Swinging Doors and Bumping Into Things
Doorways must be 32 inches wide. In work areas, walkways should be at least 42 inches wide for one cook, or 48 inches for multiple cooks. Swinging doors should not swing into things. Hang them to swing out.
Work The Work Triangle
There is a reason the Work Triangle is still used as the “go to” space planning model in kitchen design. Very simply, it works. The points of the triangle are made up of the sink, refrigerator, and primary cooking surface. The formula states…the sum of the three distances should be no more than 26 feet, and each stretch of the triangle should measure between 4 and 9 feet. This proven formula is ideal for function and safety,
Counters: More Mathematical Formulas
Typically Kitchen Designers recommend at least 158 total inches of usable countertop, which is at least 24 inches deep and has at least 15 inches of clearance above. It’s recommended to include at least a 24-inch-wide span of countertop next to a sink for prep work. Plan for at least 15 inches of countertop beside the handle side of the refrigerator or on either side of a side-by-side refrigerator. Allow at least 12 inches of countertop on one side of a cooking surface and 15 inches on the other. For kitchen layouts with island appliances, also extend the countertop at least 9 inches beyond the burners. For a separate oven, include a 15-inch span of countertop on either side. When these countertop areas overlap, take the larger of the two guidelines and add 12 inches.
Seating at Counters and High Counters
A 28-30 inch wide space per diner is optimal. Also plan for 18 inch deep knee space for 30 inch high counters, 15 inches for 36 inch counters, and 12 inches for 42 inch counters.
Storage and Accessories
Although building codes don’t address kitchen storage or accessories, they should still be considered. Designers recommend a rough guideline of including a minimum of 117 feet of shelf and drawer frontage for small kitchen design layouts and at least 167 feet in a large kitchen (greater than 350 square feet).
How to Calculate Frontage
Calculate frontage by multiplying cabinet width in inches by the cabinet depth in feet and then by the number of shelves. Of this total, include at least 33 feet within 72 inches of the main sink’s centerline or at least 47 feet in a large kitchen.
For more information about kitchen design and to see other tips relating to Exhaust visit The National Kitchen and Bath Association. https://nkba.org/info/about
Contact Lee for more fun math facts about your kitchen remodel and all things real estate.