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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.

 

Looking out for your pet, your four-legged friend

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We all love our pet but sometimes it can create a problem when it comes to the home design. For example, looking to create that perfect kitchen space you have dreamed of? And not sure where to put the dog’s bowl so that it doesn’t clash with the design? Are you wanting to create that amazing new bathroom but tired of having the cat’s litter box be an eyesore and are unsure of how to hide it with style? We can help create a pet friendly space! While we are a custom kitchen and bath cabinet design center, we also can do much more because we specialize in doing the unique in your home.

Creating function without compromise

Here at Walker Woodworking, we care about the needs of our clients and that extends beyond the two-legged kind. Since most of us here have our own furry companions, we understand the importance of including them in the design. We have become experts in creating functional spaces without compromising beauty. Every pet owner wants their little friend to be comfortable which sometimes requires planning to utilize the space to its maximum potential which is where we come in.

We encourage our clients during the design meeting to share any specific needs or wishes they have for their little fur babies. We want to be able to help you create the perfect space. By knowing in advance what they need makes the planning stage much easier. These requests have resulted in some amazing little details added to some of the projects we have done over the years. One great example was a special cat-shaped door created for a litter box area. Allowing the owner’s cat to use the litter box while keeping with the design looking fantastic! Feeding areas for pets can be a problem, especially with dogs since some of them enjoy turning their food bowls over. We solved that problem by creating an open cabinet with custom cutouts that fit the feeding bowls of the owner’s dog neatly inside while remaining easily accessible to their pet. It was a functional and practical space while remaining true to the original design. Here are a few other pet ideas that might be able to be included in the remodel design process.

Custom designs to suit both you and your pet’s unique needs

We strive to think outside the box to add those little extra touches that meet a need while staying true to the design. It is possible to have function and beauty coexist together. We take what you have, factor in what you need and create a space that is perfect for everyone. Sometimes it is necessary to live in smaller spaces which creates a need for a well-used area to function for multiple purposes. Because we are a custom cabinet place we have the ability to create the perfect space for your pet, this allows us to blend the needs of your pet seamlessly into the function of your lifestyle. Here are some important questions we ask during our initial meeting with our clients.

  • What type of space are we working with?
  • Who will be using the space?
  • What style and atmosphere are you looking to create?
  • Are there any particular special needs we need to consider when creating the design?

It is our pleasure to assist you in having a home you always wanted for you and your sweet companions. So don’t forget to include your furry friend in your design, they have given you so much love and deserve to be taken into account. We look forward to helping you create a space that is perfectly suited to the whole family’s needs. Feel free to browse our gallery for more inspiration.

 

Creative Storage Solutions

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Valuable Storage Ideas from Cabinets Designers to Interior Designers

Not all storage works the same. Some items are more difficult to store than others, even when space isn’t the issue. Doors and drawers each serve a purpose to stash different types of items, especially in heavy-traffic areas such as bathrooms. That’s where we come in, we love teaming up with designers to help create storage solutions. When our kitchen and bath designers team up with Interior Designers, the results are amazing. We are open to working with your own interior designer and even welcome it.

Vanessa Fleming, owner, and designer of Acorn Interior Design took the lead for her client to remodel a master bathroom in a Georgian marvel built-in 1941. Vanessa’s clients fell in love with this home and even moved to Gastonia, NC to live in this house.

It started with a plan

Vanesa started out by making a wishlist of all the items the homeowners wanted to incorporate into the design. Then she did an inventory of everything in the closet (# of shoes, shirts, pants, dresses, etc.) so that we were able to design the space specifically needed for each item.  We even had room in the closet for a pullout hamper that could stay out of sight.

As for the homeowner’s wish list, they wanted a separate toilet room, a large walk-in, zero-threshold shower with rain shower and jets. They also wanted space for two people to stand by the mirror at the same time but not two sinks. The husband wanted a fully cedar-lined closet. With having only one medium-sized closet in the master bedroom, another closet was needed. Some creative storage solutions were needed.

There was so much wasted space in the previous bathroom because the bathroom connected “his and hers” master bedrooms. We were able to use all of that square footage by walling in the doorway that led to one of the master bedrooms, which is now a playroom.  We also incorporated the playroom closet into the bathroom to allow more room in the new master bathroom.

New space, better functions

The new space functions so well because two people can be in the bathroom at the same time because there are now four distinct spaces:

1) a separate toilet room,

2) an enclosed shower,

3) the vanity for make-up,

4) the sink area.

The wardrobe/closet was built for the husband and his collection of clothes and shoes (men like fashion too!)  Because of the wool suits, we made the closet space from cedar to ensure moth control.

The docking drawer inside the vanity has a plug inside the drawer for convenience so that the cord does not lay across the counter making is also less cluttered. The drawer also includes a stainless steel holder for the hairdryer and toiletries so that they all remain in one accessible place. Here are a few other storage ideas.

A reflection of detail

Vanessa was able to stay within the parameters by keeping the entrance to the bathroom and windows where they were and incorporating all the wishlist items.

This team approach made the project go smoothly from design to cabinet install. It was a great opportunity to work with an interior designer to help produce a finished project that made the owners smile.
The results reflected all the attention to detail in this amazing master bathroom remodel. These creative storage solutions were a collaboration of both cabinet designer and the interior designer.

Walker Woodworking proudly serves nine counties including but not limited to: Buncombe, Polk, Henderson, Catawba, Mecklenburg, Cleveland, York, Spartanburg, and Greenville. Located 45 miles west of Charlotte, Walker Woodworking is your one-stop-shop for all of your custom and woodworking needs. Nestled in the foothills of North Carolina, we’ve been producing locally-manufactured cabinetry since 1999. We can provide beautiful, custom storage solutions for any room in your home. If you’re looking for distinctive cabinets for your kitchen, then most of what’s available off-the-shelf at retail stores will not do. Contact us and find out how we can make your kitchen stand out from the ordinary at a price you can afford.

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