Spacing, updated appliances key to kitchen efficiency
The experts at HGTV offer these suggestions to make your kitchen a more efficient work space.
1. If there is more than one cook in your household, you may want to consider expanding the main kitchen work space. According to current guidelines, the width of a walkway should be at least 36 inches; the width of a work aisle should be at least 42 inches for one cook and at least 48 inches for multiple cooks.
2. If your appliances are outdated, they may be costing you more money than you realize. New technological advances in dishwashers, refrigerators and disposals can save you a considerable amount of money in both electrical and water costs and may be worth the investment.
3. When building or renovating your kitchen, carefully consider placement of major appliances to ensure a usable amount of counter, cabinet and floor space. Current standards call for a total of 158 inches of countertop frontage, 24 inches deep with at least 15 inches of clearance above to accommodate all uses, including landing area, preparation work area and storage.
4. A close working relationship between the stove, sink and refrigerator, referred to as the work triangle, makes for an efficient use of space and minimizes cooking prep time. The conventional standard calls for the legs of the work triangle to total no more than 26 feet, with no single leg shorter than 4 feet or longer than 9 feet.
Information courtesy Scripps Howard News Service
