How to Design a Kitchen Floor Plan
The kitchen is the heart of many homes. Many families spend most of their time together in this room. A well-designed kitchen floor plan is not just about having the latest and greatest appliances. It is about having a kitchen that functions well for the needs of the family and effectively fits their lifestyle. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Paper Pencil Architectural scale (not necessary but helpful) Measuring tape 30-60-90 triangle 45-45-45 triangle
Instructions
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Measure What's Existing
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Measure the lengths and heights of all the walls in your existing floor plan as well as the general perimeter and shape of the kitchen.
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Measure the existing cabinet lengths, their depths, heights and widths.
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Measure the height and width of the existing kitchen doors and windows, but not their present location in the kitchen. (This could change.)
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Draw the general shape of the kitchen on a piece of paper using the architectural scale and triangles noted above. Most residential floor plans are drawn at a quarter-inch or an eighth-inch scale. Drawing the kitchen to a scale will help you visualize the size of all the items that need to be placed in the kitchen.
Guidelines
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Research and review the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) guidelines for kitchen design. They help to provide principles that will give you a more functional work space.
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Consider the traffic that moves throughout the house and what role the kitchen plays in that movement. Research the different styles you want your kitchen to look like by examining different magazines and visiting different showrooms to get ideas.
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Consider the lighting as integral to the design of your kitchen. A well-lit kitchen has different types: task, ambient, accent and decorative.
Design
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Design the kitchen so that the work triangle of the kitchen is very easy to maneuver and work in. The work triangle is based on locating the sink, the cooktop range, and the refrigerator so that each of the three legs of the triangle measure between 12 and 26 feet.
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Locate the refrigerator so that the door can swing clear and can give two people access to the inside at the same time. It should not be up against a corner or block the entryway into or out of the kitchen.
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Locate the sink underneath the window whenever possible. Ideally the sink should be located first and then the other appliances can be placed around it.
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Installing the cooktop range on an exterior wall will allow for easy installation of the hood and ventilation systems.
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Locate the sink in a place where you can have at least 36 inches of free space on one side and 24 inches on the other to allow for a place to put dishes. This also creates space for a dishwasher to be located next to the sink underneath the countertop.
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Tips & Warnings
Visit many different showrooms and other people's kitchens to get different ideas. Consult with an architect prior to starting any construction to get their professional advice on the design, cost and feasibility. Visit your local building and planning department to see if you will be required to obtain any permits prior to construction beginning.
Do not attempt to relocate your existing utility locations without the help of a professional. Do not attempt to remove an existing wall or create an opening in one without consulting an architect first.
