Is the Kitchen Work Triangle an Outdated Design Rule?

The kitchen work triangle has been the standard by which we measure good design and functionality. Whether you paid attention in your trigonometry class or not, you probably knew the basics of the kitchen triangle. It connects the cooktop, refrigerator, and sink. According to guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), no leg of the triangle should be less than 4 feet or more than 9 feet. The sum of the three triangle sides should not exceed 26 feet. In addition, no major traffic patterns should flow through the triangle.But do those rules still apply?[caption width="1000" id="attachment_313888" align="aligncenter" ] Kitchen triangles make prep work easier. Image: Sisoje/Getty Images[/caption]Shop These Products Now: Faucet - Tea Pot“Back in the 1940’s, kitchens tended to be small and appliances tended to be large,” explains Erin Davis, lead designer at Mosaik Design & Remodeling. “The concept evolved as a general guideline for creating a certain proximity and distance between the three main kitchen work sites: sink, refrigerator and range – and it is still relevant today.”According to Davis, the work triangle theory was designed to produce comfort and efficiency. It's all based on how easily you can move between these three main work areas.[caption width="1000" id="attachment_313883" align="aligncenter" ]
Kitchen triangle dimensions are flexible. Image: cr8tivguy/Getty Images[/caption]Shop These Products Now: Glossy Countertop - Serving Tray“Within the basic ‘triangle’ structure – which can look very different in each individual space – there are a lot of design options that work well for overall kitchen appeal and practicality,” Davis says. “In fact, there’s no limit to the workable designs that keep the kitchen triangle intact while reflecting your own style and taste.”Davis says it’s also important to consider the location of your workspaces, islands and other kitchen features. This helps to ensure good flow and functionality.
Relevant or outdated?
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Where the kitchen work triangle still applies
Not everyone agrees that the kitchen triangle is obsolete. Eric Sztanyo, a realtor at Keller Williams and founder of We Buy NKY Houses - a Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky cash home buyer, still sees their value.“As a rehabber who buys many older homes with older kitchens, I find the principles of the kitchen work triangle to still apply amazingly well today,” he says. “Yes, we may buy a house and do a complete demo of the kitchen, but more often than not, we end up putting the pieces back together in a way that still fits this time honored tradition.”Sztanyo says the triangle design works well when incorporating stainless steel appliances and a subway tile backsplash. “It looks good. The lines are crisp. And maybe more importantly, it's efficient in a way that will keep the next owner of the home happy for years to come,” he says.[caption width="1000" id="attachment_313890" align="aligncenter" ]