The ‘working triangle’ is a well-known concept within the kitchen design industry. The triangle is the recommended shape between the cook top, kitchen sink and work surface or refrigerator. It’s a concept that originated in the 1940s and theoretically improved the efficiency of the kitchen. We believe it’s not without merit, but would challenge the thinking that it’s the golden rule when it comes to creating a kitchen that’s going to work for your family.
This approach to design is almost 80 years old and since then things have moved on in a number of ways. Firstly, we have far more appliances now than before. With microwaves, electric kettles, ovens, steam ovens, induction and traditional hobs, griddle plates and boiling taps all common elements of a contemporary kitchen, creating a single working triangle is actually very complicated. On top of this, we must now also consider access to electricity sockets for the host of counter-top appliances like mixers and juicers.
What was once a space purely designed for food preparation, is now so much more. Open plan schemes have brought the dining and living rooms into the kitchen which has had a big impact on how the space is used. Overlaying a simple working triangle over this isn’t straightforward as there are more factors at play. Modern homes have also been built in a very different way to pre-war builds and reflect this shift in how the space is used.
At KSL, our designers believe in the values of the working triangle but feel it’s far more important to appreciate and celebrate our differences. We take the time to get to know how you, as an individual or family, work in your kitchen and what you need the space to do for you. Yes, we’ll make sure drawers are easily accessible, utensils are near the hob and the bin is near the sink and the dishwasher – but really we want it to be so much more than that. It should be an organic space that reflects your way of life, which is why we take the time to pay homage to the working triangle, but focus our designs around you.