Have you heard about the kitchen work triangle? It was a concept thought up in the 1940s stating that kitchens are most efficient when the placement of the fridge, sink and oven form a triangle.
A lot has changed in kitchen design and family lifestyles since the ‘40s, which begs the question – is the work triangle still relevant? At Farquhar Design Kitchens, our experience with countless families across Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and Papamoa has led us to believe in the work triangle, but with a modern twist!
History of the Work Triangle
The work triangle came about at a time where kitchens were the domain of one cook – usually a housewife. It was also an era of large kitchen appliances and relatively small kitchens. In its prime, the concept went so far as to measure the ideal distances between these three kitchen features, and this triangle was to be free of foot traffic – be it husbands, guests or kids.
Changes in Kitchen Design
There have been many changes to the average kitchen over the past 80 years. Rooms have become larger and appliances smaller. Lighting is better, island benchtops and bar stools have become commonplace. In the Bay of Plenty, we have been knocking down walls to open the kitchen up into the rest of the living space and building sculleries. Best of all, men can also be found in modern kitchens cooking up a storm.
But what do these trends do to the work triangle?
FD Kitchens – Modern Kitchen Designers
Today, the designers at FD Kitchens prefer to use the triangle concept as a launching pad from which to begin our custom kitchen design. We see it more as a guideline than a strict rule. The oven, sink and fridge continue to be dominant areas in the kitchen, however, there are important modern considerations that let us stray from the traditionally strict triangle.
Modern kitchen life may mean the triangle ends up looking more like a rectangle, or perhaps two overlapping triangles, or even distinct zones…and that’s just fine!
At Farquhar Design Kitchens, we pay homage to the work triangle’s excellent work in creating efficient kitchens by using the triangle as a starting point, but stay current with the times, often stretching the limits of the triangle to create truly modern kitchens in which our clients in Tauranga, Te Puke and Mount Maunganui love to cook, eat and gather.
Have a kitchen renovation or build project coming up? Give Farquhar Design Kitchens a call – 07 573 4170.