HOW TO ENSURE YOU HAVE A WELL PLANNED KITCHEN DESIGN PLAN?
When designing a kitchen there are so many rules, regulations, and general usage tips that it can be a tad overwhelming to remember them all. We have added a cheat sheet to hopefully help you make sure everything is accounted for and you can have a smooth remodel from beginning to end.
- The entrance to a kitchen should be open and free of obstruction. If there is an inward-swinging door (that leads to a garage or yard for example) ensure it will not interfere with appliances when opened and there is ample room for things people do when they enter the home, such as taking off their shoes. You don’t want to create a tight space in your kitchen.
- The top of the kitchen countertop should be 36in from the floor.
- The average space between a perimeter countertop and island is 42in. (that’s what we have in our kitchen and really love it), 36″ is the minimum.
- Allow 12-18″ for a countertop overhang that will be used for seating. The taller the seat, the shallower of an overhang necessary due to the angle of your legs. For example, if using tall bar stools, a 12″ overhang is usually plenty. A regular bar stool would be between 12-15″, whereas table height (a 30″ tall counter, for example) would require at least 18″ to be comfortable seating for most adults.
- Allow 45-60″ between a countertop used for seating and a wall or dining table. This ensures enough space for people to walk behind while someone is sitting there. Forty five inches is usually plenty, though you can bump this up to 60″ for wheelchair access.
- Allow at least 18″ of space between the bottom of upper cabinets and the countertop beneath.
- The minimum width of a single segment of countertop is 12″. If it will be used as a prep space, 36″ minimum is recommended.
- Allow 2-3″ of space on each cabinet edge that meets another cabinet or a perpendicular wall. This will allow drawers and doors to open freely once hardware is installed.
- Standard countertop overhang from the cabinet is 1″-1.5.”
The kitchen work triangle is a design concept that recommends that you place your three work areas (sink, refrigerator, and stove) in a triangle. The total of all 3 legs of the triangle is recommended to be no more than 26 feet apart.
- Allow 12″ of clear countertop space on both sides of a cooktop.
- Allow for 26-36″ of space between cooktop and range hood. Thirty two inches is a good middle ground that most people will feel comfortable with.
- If a microwave is in a base cabinet ensure there is at least 15″ between the bottom of the microwave and floor.
- Ideal placement of the dishwasher is on either side of the sink, no more than 36″ apart. Next to the sink is a good option, allowing a person to stand directly in front of the sink while they are loading it.
So I hope these bullet points will help you with your design. If you have any questions please call us for assistance.