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The Work Triangle

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An unhindered workspace

Because the kitchen is the heart of the home, it means there will be a lot of activity that takes place within its boundaries. People get ready to face the day by making their morning coffee and packing lunches. Dishes that have piled up need to be washed and put away. Dinner needs to be made and served to a hungry family. With all these different tasks going on, often at the same time, it’s easy for people to stumble over one another and create chaos in what should be a pleasant area in the home. This is where the work triangle comes into play by creating a functional space that allows everything to get done without trampling over others in the process. 

What is the work triangle?

A work triangle is a standard design practice that helps create an efficient kitchen workspace with clear traffic lanes allowing the cook to have easy access to food storage, cleaning, and cooking areas. It is an imaginary triangle connecting the cooktop, sink, and refrigerator within the sum of the triangle that does not exceed 26 feet. Some other general rules include:

  • No side of the triangle should cut through an island or peninsula by more than 12 inches.
  • No major traffic pattern should cross through the triangle
  • Each leg should measure between four and nine feet.

By creating boundaries within the kitchen, activities can take place easily and quickly. Browse our gallery for more examples and inspiration.

Benefits of the triangle

With so much going on in the kitchen including evening homework by the kids and work projects by parents, it is easy for space to quickly become crowded hindering the original purpose, cooking. By creating the triangle, a dedicated area is now in place which ensures that there is enough space for making those delicious meals without risk of a collision. Convenience is another benefit to having the work triangle in place since it allows for everything to be within easy reach. If there is a designated space for cooking there will be less traffic going through allowing the person cooking to complete the meal with minimal distractions. Learn more about the benefits of having a work triangle in the kitchen.

Great use of space

Whether you have a small or large space, it is important to use it effectively. A small kitchen needs to function properly while not feeling cramped. A large kitchen has more space which can create some hassle if things are too far apart. A work triangle solves both of these problems by making each space work effortlessly in the designated area. A small kitchen means there is no room for wasted space which is where the triangle helps because it places the most used stations within easy reach of each other. With a large kitchen, things can get lost and feel too far away, making it difficult to cook or do anything else. The triangle saves the day again by placing the essential areas together saving valuable steps, especially when trying to get dinner on the table. 

A place to create

The triangle is a great design tool and has the ability to help homeowners create a functional, and usable space. It helps save time and energy when making a delicious meal by providing everything within easy reach. Kitchens have evolved into more than just a place to make meals, it is a place where memories are made. The work triangle ensures that both can be done without hindering the other. 

We have nearly twenty years of experience helping our clients create a space that not only works for them but one that they will love for years to come. We would love to have the opportunity to help you take your space from workable to functional.

 

6 Tips For Choosing The Best Kitchen Cabinets

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Our team at Walker Woodworking knows firsthand that cabinets are essential for organization and storage in your kitchen. Our experienced wood cabinet makers, who create some of the finest custom cabinets in the foothills of North Carolina, can tell you that cabinets come in a variety of styles including traditional, shaker, rustic, contemporary, country and a number of others. If you are completely remodeling your kitchen or simply updating some worn or dated cabinets, there are several factors you should take into consideration when choosing replacements. HGTV also offers a few tips when choosing kitchen cabinets.

They Need to Match Your Kitchen’s Style

There are a plethora of kitchen styles as well as various cabinet styles. Some of these will blend well together, and others will be a design disaster when trying to combine them. Contemporary cabinets, for instance, might look out of place if you have a country farmhouse kitchen. The same could be said for country cabinets in a modern kitchen. If you don’t make the right decision on style, it won’t matter what material or color you choose for the cabinets.

Their Color Needs to Match

Getting cabinets with matching colors for your kitchen does not mean that they have to be the same color as other major items in your kitchen. In fact, making them the same color would be a design disaster since you should have some color differentiation between cabinets, countertops and flooring. For instance, black cabinets can be a nice contrast to white countertops or vice versa. You may find, however, that you don’t want to go with so striking a contrast. Different shades of neutral colors can be effectively combined to work well in your kitchen. For example, dark gray countertops might go well with beige cabinets.

Choosing the Right Material

Kitchen cabinets come in a decent variety of material choices. You can find them in melamine, medium-density fiberboard, plywood, stainless steel, metal and wood. Wood is still one of the most popular choices since wood cabinets will blend in well with many kitchen styles. It also gives you many choices based on the type of wood you choose. You can go with maple, pine, beech, walnut, hickory, cherry, mahogany or oak. There are even variations within these. For instance, you might decide to go with French oak kitchen cabinets. Nothing has as beautifully natural a look as stained wood cabinet doors with the wood grain showing.

Off-the-Shelf or Custom Cabinets?

Another thing you need to determine is whether to go off-the-shelf or custom when sourcing your cabinets. Custom cabinets will cost more, but you’ll be able to get the exact look, material and finish that you’re going for to perfectly complement the rest of your kitchen. You can find an impressive variety of premade cabinetry today that will work for the kitchen in many homes. For older homes, though, you may need the custom touch to create cabinetry that fits unique or tight spaces that modern store offerings won’t accommodate. You may also want to transform your kitchen into your dream culinary area. Doing this may require the exacting specifications only available from custom wood cabinet makers to turn this dream into reality.

Local Custom Cabinet Company

At Walker Woodworking, we know cabinetry. Our wood cabinet makers have been producing quality fine furnishings since 1999. Located in Shelby, North Caroline, not far from Charlotte, all of our custom-crafted cabinetry is designed and made right here in America. Whether you are looking for built-in cabinets, French oak kitchen cabinets or any other custom design, our artisans and craftsman can create what you desire. Don’t tailor your cabinetry needs to what’s available on store shelves. Contact us and we’ll tailor custom cabinetry to your specifications.