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L AYOUT, S TYLE  and S AFETY

These pages identify kitchen layout options and styles based on Australian Standards and adaptation of advanced European technologies and methods for kitchen renovation and remodeling.

Layout

You start your new kitchen design sketch considering the workflow. Work should flow smoothly from one work station to the next basically in an almost circular fashion, from sink or preparation work station, to hot plate, to fridge or pantry then back to preparation/sink. This flow is normally depicted in a triangular shape as shown in the basic kitchen layout below; this is to more easily show distances. 

Wall design
Advantages Fits into a narrow space.
Can be screened off, if needed.
Ideal for kitchens with limited floor and wall area.
Lower cost.
Disadvantages Much running around.
Ensure that the walk way space is at least 1200mm to allow two people to pass one another. And to allow drawers or cupboard doors to be opened.


L-Shape
Advantages Efficient work flow.
Less running around.
Opens up floor space for eating area.
Modest cost.
Disadvantages Less room to share with assistant cooks.


The distance between each point of the triangle should not be more than 2 to 3 meters (2000mm to 3000mm) and in total should not be more than 7 meters, otherwise you as the cook may need roller skates.
Also you need consider the position of the door(s) to ensure that other traffic does not interfere with your freedom of movement; remember that the kitchen is the most accident-probe area in the house. Do not place cooking appliances near doors, in awkward corners, under windows or near the fridge or storage, areas that are frequented by children. Preferably have bench space on either side of the hot plates and also near the wall oven.

Other considerations are of course, the amount of space available, the need to accommodate more than one cook at the time, the preference for an eating area within the kitchen and the amount of entertaining that is planned.
U-Shape
Advantages Very efficient use of space.
Less running around.
No through traffic.
Disadvantage May not suit all environments.
More expensive.
Minimum space is 1200mm but the ideal is 1350mm - 1500mm. A size in excess of 1700mm is not recommended as it is then harder to reach different parts of the kitchen conveniently.


Corridor Shape
Advantages Efficient workflow using a small area.
Easier for assistant cooks.
Disadvantage More dangerous if corridor used for traffic.
More expensive.


U-Shape with Island
Advantages Efficient workflow.
Easy for multiple assistant cooks.
Very nice for entertaining.
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Disadvantage Uses much more space.
More expensive.


Ensure that the kitchen design suits your personal dimensions and is ergonomic for you. Special considerations apply to height of benches and bench space recommendations if wheelchair access is required. Recommended space between rows of cupboards/benchtops would then be 1500mm to 2250mm depending on the layouts; also recessed kickboards will need to increase in height to about 200mm and depth to 150mm.

 

Style

If your home reflects a specific style, for example a Tudor style of country home, then you may find that making the interior design reflect the exterior will bring continuity to the whole.

The kitchen cabinets' door styles, patterns and colour will have the most impact on the visual statement that you make.

Once the basic layout and style have been decided you can choose the matching bench tops, tiling, wallpapers, paints, lighting, plumbing and flooring - assisted by experienced kitchen designers.

Additional Design ideas can also be obtained from some of the better magazines that you may want to peruse in the comfort of the settee in our well equipped Showroom.

These include:
  • Australian House & Garden
  • Australian Kitchen Trends
  • Australian Vogue
  • Kitchens & Bathroom Quarterly
  • Home Beautiful - Kitchens + Bathrooms
  • and others including some USA and European publications.

Safety

  • Adequate set down bench space adjacent to both sides of the hotplates and at least one side of the wall oven
  • Separating the active area (hotplates / preparation bench / sink) from the passive area (pantry, refrigerator and adjacent bench space)
  • Locating hotplates 300mm from vertical surface, edge, or corner to allow for saucepan handles
  • Cooker / sink relationship

Contact Information

Telephone -  02 6241 7778 (Answering machine switched on at 4.00pm week days)

Fax -  02 6241 8068

Postal & Showroom Address - Aneka Kitchens, Unit 2 / 5 Tooth Street, Mitchell  ACT  2911 Canberra, Australia

Send us an e-mail to book an appointment, or to ask for more details or even to express your comments about this website - we are open to suggestions -

    aneka@aneka.com.au

Home

About Us 		  2/5 Tooth Street, Mitchell ACT, Australia


                    Kitchen Renovation Advice 		Location Map
Five steps to a perfect Kitchen About Costs & Quotations About Design & Choices Photo Gallery & styles. Kitchen Accessories Other useful sites
Layout & styles About Cabinets & Doors About Benchtops & Splashbacks About materials About Lighting About Flooring

Aneka Kitchens : Layout and Style

created by Henk Thijssens, Custom Design and Administration (CDAS)
Kitchen design criteria, designs.html

last modified: 24 November, 2003