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Kitchen Design and Space Guidelines

Elizabeth Tomlinson, Skinner, Patricia, Bankston, Jr., Joseph D.

Kitchen Work Triangle
  • Work triangle distance totals 15-26 feet (lines connecting center of sink, cooktop, refrigerator)
  • For multiple-cook kitchens, consider dual work triangles with a second sink and microwave oven (sink-oven-refrigerator triangle)
  • No major traffic paths cross through primary work triangle
  • No doors interfere with work centers, appliances, open cabinets or drawers
  • Work space aisles minimum 42 inches wide (including clearance around islands)
  • Passageways minimum 36 inches for one cook; 48 inches for two cooks
  • Upper (wall-mount) cabinet frontage: minimum 186 inches (minimum 144 inches for compact kitchen < 150 sq. ft.)
  • At least 60 inches upper cabinet frontage within 72 inches of primary sink centerline
  • Base cabinet frontage: minimum192 inches (minimum 156 inches for compact kitchen)
  • Drawer frontage: minimum 165 inches (minimum 120 inches for compact kitchen)
  • Storage aids to improve accessibility and functionality (sturdy roll-out shelves, dividers, assorted drawer depths, etc.)
  • Functional corner storage (lazy susan, diagonal door, etc.)
  • 15 - 18 inches clearance between countertop and bottom of upper cabinets
  • Countertop frontage: minimum198 inches (minimum 132 inches for compact kitchen)
  • No two primary work centers are separated by full-height, full-depth cabinets
  • Minimum 24 inches countertop frontage to one side of primary sink; 18 inches on other side
  • If there is a second sink, minimum 3 inches counter space on one side; 18 inches on other side
  • At least two waste basket areas (trash and recycle)
  • Edge of dishwasher within 36 inches of edge of sink
  • Minimum 21 inches standing room beside dishwasher
  • Minimum 36 inches continuous countertop space for food preparation center
  • Minimum 15 inches counter space on latch side of a refrigerator, on either side of side-by-side, or on landing space across from refrigerator (no more than 48 inches away)
  • Minimum 15 inches counter space on one side of cooking surface, minimum 3 inches clearance from an end wall
  • Appliances located minimum 15 inches from cabinet corners (so protruding appliance handles do not interfere with opening base cabinet drawers)
  • Cooking surface is not placed below an operable window
  • Minimum 15 inches landing space next to oven and microwave
  • Bottom of microwave is below shoulder height of shortest user
  • Cooking surface has hood exhaust system (100-150 cfm)
  • If indoor grill and high cfm exhaust, a dampered outside air inlet is provided
  • Minimum 24-inches-wide by 12-inches-deep counter/table space for each seated diner
  • Minimum 36 inches walkway clearance around dining table; 24 inches if not a pathway
  • Operable window area
  • Ground fault circuit interrupters on all receptacles within 6 feet of water source
  • Fire extinguisher located across from cooking surface (B-C type is best for grease fires, A-B-C is all-purpose)

Return to Family-Friendly, Adaptable and Functional Floor Plan

1/11/2007 11:37:02 AM
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