Kitchen Design Rules to Break- Part1
"Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist"- Pablo Picasso.
I first heard this quote years ago when I was in art school. These days, I think of it when I'm asking a client to think outside of the box, and need to remind myself that 11 years of experience designing kitchens should lend me some confidence to break the rules now and then. So... here are some rules of kitchen design and renovation planning I like to break now and then;
Maintain the 'Work Triangle' at all costs
This first RULE is a touchy one. I get into it with my clients all the time on consults, and agree, 100% that in many kitchens, the work triangle is the ideal layout for almost every cook. When does this change? let me list the ways;
Large kitchens- When the space between the fridge and the stove exceeds a few steps, the triangle requires roller-blades to get from one end of the room to the other.
Really long, or open kitchens- When the space requires that all the appliances and plumbing to be on one wall, you have no choice but to thrown the triangle out the window.
Unique needs- Families of 8 who cook and clean together every night, party-goers who need space for the caterers, mobility challenges etc.
So what do you do when your needs and space don't fit so neatly in the triangle? This is where we switch to design for WORK ZONES. This means we break your large space into task-centric work stations designed to serve one task. The zones may include ; Baking zone, Coffee/breakfast zone, prep zone, cleanup zone and cooking zone.
a pantry is a MUST
I love a good, walk-in pantry. or a good Butlers pantry, and baker pantry, but my home is one of many in old Halifax not blessed with the space for this. One solution is to put in a tall, wide pantry cabinet somewhere at the kitchen at the expense of counter-top space, but what if there was NO pantry at all? Guess what, there are many storage solutions for your pantry items that will not cost you your precious counter space!
Storing pantry items in upper cabinet. bonus is that the cans and boxes are now at eye-level, and only a a few items deep, rather than several items deep.
Drawers for baking items- a well organized baking drawer keeps your items accessible where you use them.
Large appliances can be stored where they are used. An appliance garage can house your mixmaster, blender and food processor where you use them so you are not lugging them all over the kitchen.
Are you ready to give up on your pantry?
More rules I break to come in Part 2!
