Do you find it easy to work in your kitchen, or are you frustrated by a sink or a cooktop that’s not ideally located? The right ergonomics can help to create a smart kitchen with the perfect flow between spaces, and it can also make your cooking chores a pleasure!
What’s The Golden Triangle All About?
A theory that was first put forward as far back as the early twentieth century, the Golden Triangle (also called the ‘working triangle’) states that the three main work areas in the kitchen should be ideally situated at the three apex points of a triangle. These include the sink, the cooktop and the refrigerator. Each side of the triangle should be a maximum of nine feet and a minimum of four feet apart for the most comfortable working spaces, and the sum total of the lengths of all three sides should be between 13 and 26 feet. These dimensions make sure that the spaces are neither too far apart, nor too close to each other; there is enough distance between them to create clearly delineated traffic lines.
Ergonomics Done Right!
When your kitchen is designed keeping the Golden Triangle in mind, you have the optimal flow of spaces between the three main tasks involved in food prep. Raw ingredients are stored in the refrigerator, cleaning and chopping happen at the sink, food is cooked on the cooktop and is then once again stored in the refrigerator….and there’s your neat and perfect triangle!
Also keep in mind that there should not be any obstructions between these three points, in the form of counters or cabinets, which will mess with the clean lines of your workflow.
- Any items that you need for cleaning should be close to the sink (peelers, knives, chopping board); while cooking utensils, ladles, masalas, oil and so on should be located on either side of the stove.
- Any appliances that are needed for food prep such as mixers and grinders, mixing bowls and blenders, should be ideally placed in between the sink and the stove.
- Additional appliances needed for cooking, such as the microwave and OTG should also be planned as part of your cooking zone.
The idea is to reduce unnecessary movement back and forth while giving you enough space for working comfortably.
Does the Golden Triangle Work For Any Kitchen Layout?
Other than a straight kitchen where everything is located side-by-side, this concept works beautifully for all other layout styles. Whether you have a parallel kitchen, a U-shaped, L-shaped, or G-shaped kitchen, or even an island kitchen, just make sure to follow the basic three points of a triangle rule. You will have an optimally functional and efficient layout.
For a straight kitchen too, the ideal layout would have the stove in the middle, the sink to one side(ideally near the window), and the refrigerator on the other side. Make sure that there is at least 2 to 3 feet between each of these. And the workspaces do not overlap.
Modern Day Interpretations of The Golden Triangle in The Kitchen
Considering that the idea of the work triangle was first conceptualised almost a century ago. It’s quite amazing that it still holds good, by and large, for today’s home kitchens. However, in kitchens where more than one person is working, you may need to think of several zones. For instance, the baking zone could be designed for all pastry and bread prep and baking. The salad bar could be where you can throw together the perfect salad. A drinks bar can function completely as its own zone. Each specialty zone, then, would have its own work areas which have to be custom created based on the kitchen size and location.
Do remember that these are guidelines only and are not hard and fast rules. What works best in your space has to be determined by your individual preferences and lifestyle. You may like to entertain in your kitchen, in which case you will have to layout space for a dining table as well within the kitchen.
An ergonomically designed workspace will make cooking a pleasure rather than a tedious and cumbersome task. By following the Golden Triangle theory, you can create functional and efficient spaces that work beautifully well together.
Wondering how to get started? The HomeLane team of expert designers is at hand to help you create the modular kitchen of your dreams. Book a free consultation today and you can get started right away!
