"Work Flow Triangle" for a Kitchen Remodel

The “work flow triangle” is a rule of thumb when doing a kitchen remodel. The work flow triangle includes three components: refrigerator, stove, and sink. The refrigerator houses your food and is used multiple times a day. This is the appliance that typically gets the most family traffic. Depending how much you cook, the stove could be used once a day or multiple times a week. Finally, the sink - considered the center of the kitchen. The sink usually sits under a window or in the center of the room. The sink is definitely the focal point of a kitchen with plenty of use.

These three areas are typically the busiest in your kitchen. You always want to design a functional kitchen that suits your family’s needs. Most families gather in the kitchen and have many conversations here - from homework to business.

The kitchen is the heart of your home.

Always consider how much you use your appliances and the flow of the kitchen. You would not want to have a sink on one side and the dishwasher on the other side of the room. Imagine yourself in your future kitchen and think of situations or holidays and how this will suit you. Consider if you wash your own dishes or use the dishwasher religiously. Think about little details - down to whether the dishwasher should be to the left or right of your sink. It seems minimal but it is very important. You would not want the refrigerator directly side by side to the stove - always leave at least a cabinet of space between appliances.

Although the kitchens in magazines look amazing, they are not always designed for function. Some designers put the most importance on style and looks. It is always good to properly plan the function of the kitchen to fit your needs. Do you like cooking, baking, hosting parties? Think about your favorite activities and plan around those.

Some people prefer a large island to sit at with a small cooktop, while someone else may prefer more cabinet space and less seating for all the cooking that happens. Designing your kitchen around the work flow triangle not only will benefit you, but also benefit a potential future buyer. The kitchen is usually the most expensive area of a home to renovate. Potential buyers will love that your kitchen is already beautiful AND functional.