The Ideal Kitchen

So what is an ideal kitchen?

An ideal kitchen is one which:

• in today's world, serves many functions, from food preparation and cooking to entertaining and office needs;
• has good and sufficient storage in the correct places for the users;
• has appropriate countertop areas so that whoever is working in the space can accomplish the tasks conveniently;
• has the appliances best suited for the kind of use the kitchen will get;
• has the look that makes it feel just right;
• has the types of materials which work best for the those who use the kitchen;
• achieves the desired look.

In short, a fine kitchen maximizes the available space, is functional, convenient, practical, flexible, aesthetically pleasing, fits your budget, and creates a sense of well-being and comfort.

Notice how each item is dependent on the individual needs of those who live in the home? While we do have standards in the kitchen industry developed by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), much of your kitchen design needs to suit your individual needs. Below we give:

1. an example of the type of choices and decisions for the sink
2. some of the universal and important NKBA standards

An example

We all need a sink, but some of us want a single bowl in which we do everything, some of us want a double bowl (one for washing and one for draining) knowing full well that neither can accommodate a large cookie sheet that needs to soak, some of us want a standard bowl with a small veggie bowl containing the disposer so the silverware will be less likely to be chewed up. And still others want a standard bowl as the main sink and an auxiliary bowl in another location so the morning rush won't be as congested.

The next decision is where to locate the sink: under the window (traditional), in the corner (better for socializing), in the island (to be in the thick of everything).

And maybe you're one of those Superchef Martha wannabes who truly desire the three-bowl sink with drainboard, but realistically the kitchen can only accommodate a single bowl if you still want to get a dishwasher, range, refrigerator, microwave and cabinets in the space.

Wish lists are good. They help you and your designer to focus, even if you cannot accomplish everything this time around.

Some NKBA Standards

• Walkways at least 32" at all entrances
• No doors interfere with work centers, appliances, or counters
• Work aisles at least 42" wide, passage ways at least 36" wide
• No two primary work centers are separated by full-height, full-depth tall tower
• 15" to 18" clearance between countertop and bottom of wall cabinets
• At least 24"on one side and 18" of countertop on the other side of the sink
• At least 9"on one side and 15" of countertop on the other side of the cooktop
• At least 15" landing space next to or above oven
• At least 15" landing space next to, above, or below microwave
• At least 15" of countertop on the latch side of the refrigerator, or maximun of 48" across from it
• At least 36" countinuous countertop for preparation center
• Cooking surface is not placed below an operable window
• At least 24" clearance between cooking surface and hood
• Work triangle (sink, refrigerator, cooktop) totals 26' or less
• No major traffic patters cross through work triangle

Begin

... with ideas for the appliances, for the materials you like, for the look you want. Find and work with a designer who makes you feel comfortable. The combination of design, materials and look should give you a kitchen which is easy to work in and makes for happy living in the space.