Kitchen Islands

While we are in the trenches of our master bathroom project, let's talk about something else... kitchen islands!

A beautiful kitchen with a center island

Everyone wants an center island in their kitchen. They seem trendy, provide more counter & cabinet space, and can even provide the space for additional bar height seating. Sounds like a dream!

But before you head down to Home Depot, Lowe's, or Ikea, not all kitchens can support islands. Islands can sometimes make a kitchen even less efficient. Why? Efficient kitchens use the principle of the Work Triangle (I learned about this in my Principles of Interior Design class).

The principle of the Work Triangle refers to the distances between the stove, sink, and refrigerator. The distance between any two of these areas should be no less than 4' and no greater than 9', creating a triangle with a total perimeter between 13' and 26'. An efficient kitchen, has these these three kitchen elements in correct proximity to one another, minimizing the amount of walking between the three.

Now if an island were to break that triangle, as time goes on, you will probably be more annoyed than pleased with your new island installation. Here are some poor kitchen designs that I found on the internet:

The center island blocks a direct path from the refrigerator to the stove
(not to mention the lack of diversity in color)

Looks like a very "Martha Stewart" kind of kitchen, but the island interrupts the Work Triangle.
The stove is too far away from the wood-paneled fridge & the sink on the left.

The Work Triangle in our kitchen is so so. It's a 12.5' perimeter, meaning it is a little too small and that's probably why we are frequently bumping into each other. But hey, it's close, right?

Our kitchen: The side between the sink and the stove is too small..
Perhaps the builder should have moved the sink further from the stove. 

Until next time,

{Rashida}