Where Do You Put a Stove in a Kitchen?

A well-placed stove reduces the amount of work in a kitchen.

The ideal location for the stove is one of the key elements to an efficient kitchen. A well thought-out kitchen means the cook moves at maximum efficiency between work areas so meal preparation and cleanup take less time.

The Work Triangle

Planning an ergonomically correct kitchen often involves using a design element called the work triangle. The three elements in the triangle are the stove, refrigerator and sink. Consider where the other two elements are located in the kitchen and use the stove to complete the triangle.

Distance Guidelines

The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends distances between stations be between 4 and 9 feet with the total distance between the three not exceeding 26 feet. The measurements are taken from the center of the stove, fridge and sink.

Design Flexibility

The stove needs access to an electrical outlet and should not block, or be blocked by, doors or cupboards. Avoid setting the stove in an area where you’ll trip over pets and family members to access it. Keep in mind that the work triangle is a suggestion, not a rule, and can be altered to fit your particular kitchen and lifestyle.

References

• Kitchens.com: "The Work Triangle"
• Kohler: "The Work Triangle Efficiency"
• National Kitchen and Bath Association: "Work Triangle Illustration"

Resources

• Design Evolutions: "Kitchen Designs-It Will Run You in Triangles"
• Merillat: "Good Kitchen Design"
• Apartment Therapy: "Organizing the Kitchen: The Work Triangle"; Beth Zeigler; March 12, 2009