Planning a Kitchen Office
Designing a kitchen office can mean anything from providing a flat space for a message pad to building in a complete computer desk with keyboard/laptop shelf, monitor, CPU and the requisite line or wireless router for on-line connections. Either way, this dedicated area can provide the cook with a place to read cookbooks, plan their […]
Read More..>>Hidden Kitchen Systems: HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)
HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, all of which are typically installed and serviced by the same technicians. Planning for your HVAC requirements is part of planning the airflow in and out of your kitchen. Besides supplying heat and cooling, good air flow make the room feel better, removes smells and gases and […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Design Ergonomics
As you consider what you want your kitchen space to accomplish and how you’d visualize it as a day to day workspace, you’ll start running into questions about what works and what doesn’t. How wide an aisle do I need between an island and a counter? How high should the highest shelves be? When is […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Planning: Working with ‘Dead’ Spaces
Often, after you’ve spent some time fine-tuning your space plan, you’ll find you’ve created inaccessible ‘dead’ space that is unreachable. This is common in corners where access via doors only gets you into a fraction of the volume inhabited by the cabinetry. Sometimes this can be resolved by using revolving interior shelves or pullout racks […]
Read More..>>3D Thinking: Up and Down, Open and Close
Floor plans typically focus on two dimensional floor plan traffic patterns of motion. These are basically movements across a room or side to side. Now its time to consider your range of motion up and down. Storage in kitchens is typically above shoulder level or below waist level, meaning you must have the space to […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Floor Plan Thinking: Traffic Flow
Your floor plan sketch is undoubtedly getting pretty complex with a mishmash of traffic lines, areas for cabinetry and other functions, doorways and windows, outlines of existing utility lines and areas for passage in and out of the space. You have also undoubtedly run into numerous conflicts with windows where counters want to be, doors […]
Read More..>>Working Around Fixed Elements in Your New Kitchen
Besides the areas you defined as isolation/staging areas for traffic to stop such as desks and counters, there are a number of fixed items in every kitchen. These include cabinetry, major appliances permanently connected to household systems and sinks. Certain small appliances like computers and countertop mixers may be immobile because of their weight or […]
Read More..>>Planning Your Kitchen Island and/or Peninsulas
Islands In The (Kitchen) Stream
Diagramming the motion of people, light and air through your empty space will result in areas that naturally remain clear of traffic. If these fall in the middle of a room, they may be potential locations for tables or fixed islands of cabinetry. If these open spaces are located near a […]
Designing in 3D: Air, Light, Doors and Windows
Air and Light, Windows and Doors
Bringing the outdoors in also means thinking terms of light and air flow. Windows, French doors and skylights all contribute copious quantities of natural light and a fresh flow of air. If your present kitchen is dark, lacks space for windows or has small or obstructed views, adding even one […]
Kitchen Planning: Integrating With The Rest Of Your Living Space
Flow between rooms is important. Doorways to dining areas must be wide enough to comfortably carry hot dishes back and forth, the connection to a family room may need to be close to handle casual meals or clean-up after take out and you may want a clear path into the kitchen from the main entry […]
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