How to Create a More Efficient Productive Kitchen

by Product Specialist

A kitchen remodel can range from simply making space for new appliances to a full renovation that calls for new cabinets and countertops. While you should take some time to make sure that your newly renovated kitchen is visually appealing, it's far more important to design the space to be more productive and efficient. If you're not quite sure how to go about that, here are some tips that will help.

Remember the Basic Triangle

The basic triangle is the most efficient design for a kitchen that you can have. What this means is that your sink, stove, and refrigerator should all be arranged in a triangle and be accessible from each other. They are your three most important elements, so there should be a clear path between them. When you add the "legs" of the triangle together, they should add up to 10 to 25 feet. Any less than that is too small for more than one person to move comfortably through your kitchen, while anything more than that is too big to actually be efficient. Once you have the triangle in place, you can start adding other appliances such as a microwave, a dishwasher, an upright freezer, or anything else that you can work into your kitchen without taking up too much space.

Buy Efficient Appliances

When you buy new appliances, make sure that they comply with Energy Star standards. Your cooktop, refrigerator, dishwasher, and upright freezer can all be energy efficient yet still serve all of your needs.

Keep Everything Safely Within Reach

Rearranging your kitchen appliances is important, but so is keeping your dishes and cooking utensils safely within reach. Heavier objects such as iron skillets and casserole trays should be kept in cupboards that are lower to the ground so they won't fall when someone reaches for them, while cups, dishes, bowls, and silverware should be in drawers and cupboards at the height of your waist or chest. Higher shelves can be reserved for dishes that you don't use very often. Put everything back where you decide it belongs so that you can get to it as soon as you need it. Few things can ruin a cooking experience faster than not knowing where the right dish or serving spoon is when you need it.