During the weeks and months that most homeowners the Upper Valley spend researching different products, styles and color schemes, few pay much attention to the location of key components in their dream kitchen. Where should the fridge go? Is it okay to just have a sink in an island? What about a cooktop or range? What’s the ideal location?
The positioning of appliances, cabinets, pantry, drawers, an island, seating, et. al. affect not only the look and feel of a new kitchen, but also functionality. Conventional kitchen design dictates that the sink, refrigerator and stove/cooktop should be located in a triangle with nothing that impedes movement within the triangle. In many new kitchens designed for homeowners the Upper Valley, the triangle is appropriate, wanted and needed. Similar to many tried and true concepts, the triangle is not a one size fits all solution for every project. The location of key kitchen components depends on the multiple functions and roles homeowners the Upper Valley want from their new dream kitchen and their lifestyles. That’s why anyone who wants to create a dream kitchen should be asked, “how do you plan to use your kitchen and what roles would you like it to play?” The kitchen design for avid home chefs who entertain frequently will differ from the design for empty nesters who do not cook or entertain in their home often.
Several basic rules of thumb for positioning different kitchen components are as follows:
- Have space on either side of the sink to provide room for drying dishes or placing washed fruits and vegetables.
- Place the main sink near the dishwasher.
- We are not fans of placing cooktops in front of a window because grease generated while cooking will require almost daily cleaning of the glass.
- We are fans of putting a sink in front of a window when possible, providing natural light, an attractive view and a more spacious feel.
- We favor a second prep sink in an island if there is room and provided that the homeowners the Upper Valley cook or entertain frequently.
- The placement of the cooktop or range should be near the areas used to store pots, pans and cooking utensils because doing so makes it easy to prepare meals.
- There should be countertop space, if possible, on either side of the cooktop or range that provides room for preparing meals.
Kitchen design should account for the functional roles that homeowners the Upper Valley expect from their kitchens. There should be defined zones for meal preparation, cooking and cleaning.
What locations make the most sense for the kitchen of your dreams? Give us a call at 603-448-9700 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 105 Hanover Street, Lebanon, NH and let us identify the perfect location for every component of your new dream kitchen.
