Create Kitchen Organization Zones Using this 1940s Tip
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The kitchen triangle is still the designer’s golden rule, even in the modern family home.
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In the 1940s, the University of Illinois School of Architecture created a design concept called “The Kitchen Triangle” in order to cut construction costs. What started as a cost effective design idea quickly became the go-to kitchen layout to maximize efficiency.
Here’s the basic breakdown - The main workspace in a kitchen exists between the sink, stove, and refrigerator. You move among these three points in a circular flow for ease of use in the space. The best part about this concept is using it to help organize your kitchen gadgets, dishes, and cookware.
Here’s how this principle applies to any modern kitchen layout
Tips to Use the Kitchen Triangle to Organize your Space
Create zones for the most frequent tasks and sets of items.
Common zones are - Cooking, cleaning, and storage. Group items like pans, utensils, cooking oil, and spices in a selection of cabinets and drawers directly next to the stove. The same idea applies to keeping food storage as close to the fridge as possible, and dishes/cleaning supplies close to the dishwasher.
2. Expand this concept in the modern kitchen by creating a kitchen rhombus instead.
The modern kitchen often involves multiple people working together in a larger space. When there’s a kitchen island, this creates a fourth point in our workspace. Designate this extra point as a prep zone and store all your food prep bowls, cups, and kitchen gadgets here.
3. Choose the storage zones according to your dominant hand.
If you’re right-handed, create your storage zones directly to the right of each point. This ensures that you can work in a circular flow according to your natural muscle memory.
4. Choose storage solutions that maximize vertical space in small kitchens.
What if you don’t have a pantry? No problem! Risers in cabinets create double the storage capacity of otherwise dead cabinet space. This is ideal for pantry storage and dish ware. Also consider installing tall, sturdy kitchen racks with labeled baskets - Instant pantry!
Organizing your kitchen can be as easy as 1. 2. 3. (and sometimes 4.)
Look through your space and see where your triangle lives. Once you see it you can’t unsee it, and a natural organizing pattern will become more clear!
Yours in Organizing,
Melanie
P.S.
I Speak Organized was featured in Redfin’s recent article:
“20 Clever Small Kitchen Organization Ideas From the Pros”
The kitchen is the heart of the home, so, naturally, clutter can start to accumulate over time. But when faced with the additional challenge of less space, coming up with creative solutions to utilize every inch of your square footage can seem like a challenge.
Whether you’re working with a small kitchen in New York, NY, or want to maximize the kitchen space in your Toronto, ON apartment, we’ve got you covered. Redfin rounded up 20 of the very best tips and tricks from organizing experts like us so you can take charge of your space and get the organized kitchen you’ve always envisioned. From color coordinating your shelves to unique organization tricks, these ideas will help even the tiniest kitchens feel like they doubled in size.