The Kitchen triangle

We assist our clients with kitchen remodels all the time. As a chef I am sometimes asked for advice about kitchen layouts. One thing I always maintain is this one thing. The kitchen triangle!!

Most people have never heard of the classic “work triangle,” but many designers still lean on it as a simple way to plan a kitchen that feels efficient and easy to use. Originally developed in the 1940s, it was a research-based approach to help home cooks in small kitchens make the most of every square inch.

The idea is pretty straightforward: draw an invisible triangle between three key zones—cooking, cleaning, and food storage. In practical terms, that means paying attention to how your stove, sink, and refrigerator relate to each other. If they’re too far apart, everyday tasks like grabbing ingredients from the fridge, rinsing them at the sink, and moving them to the stove can start to feel like a workout instead of a smooth workflow.

My personal favorite layout is either the L Shape or the Kitchen Island. U shape and G Shape make me feel a little trapped and they also get crowded when there is more than one person. Parallel works if thats the only option you have. My old kitchen had a Parallel layout and we entertain a lot and guess where everyone hung out? In my triangle!! Ugh!

One thing to also incorporate in to the design of your kitchen is who will be in it. Is there two cooks in the house who have to share space? Do you have dogs that are at your feet all the time? Mine are all the time but we work it out somehow. Do you entertain a lot? People do love to hang out in the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart and soul of your home, make it fit into your life.