Kitchen Designs and Layout

Ideas for remodeling your type of kitchen

• The Drive Thru - This layout is designed for a dual entrance/exit at opposite ends of the kitchen. It's great for a small room with high traffic. Keep the sink and stove on different sides of the room for effective cooking and cleanup.
• The Corral - Three walls of coutertops and storage make this design heavy on cabinet design. The "Corral" usually has one entryway and exit. For an effective layout keep the refrigerator, sink and range on opposite walls if possible.
• The Corner - This kitchen style is usually for an open layout which often has a small dinette or kitchen-dining room combo. The sink and range are on opposite walls with the refrigerator at one end of the wall.
• The Arrow - This is a combination design of the The Corner layout with an island in the center of the room. The kitchen island provides more couterspace and storage below which is often needed for a "Corner"only setup. The design is good for entertaining as people tend to congregate around the island and not the sink and stove.
• The U-Turn - A kitchen design combination of The Corral with an island, but typically this layout has an open floor plan with a view to a dining room or living room. Depending on the size of your kitchen, this layout usually provides the most cabinets, storage and functionality. A kitchen island with seating is often a good choice here.

Planning tips for your kitchen's renovation

1. Triangulation - Keep ranges, sinks and refrigeration in a triangle formation for best kitchen functionality.
2. Keep kitchen aisles at least 42 inches wide
3. Space - provide ample coutertop area on both sides of a sink and at least one side of a refrigerator.
4. Keep the dishwasher within 3 feet of a sink.
5. Cabinet doors should NOT hit when opened.