You’ve probably heard of the kitchen triangle rule before: the concept dates back to the 1950s, and it’s still a very popular way to design a kitchen. In short: the idea is to prioritize easy movement between the three points of the triangle: the sink, the refrigerator, and the oven. These three elements should be close enough together for easy access, but not close enough to cause congestion. 

A kitchen that’s designed based on the triangle rule is efficient, spacious, and very comfortable to walk through, which is why it’s been a design principle for so long.

Here’s how to conceptualize your kitchen with the triangle rule in mind:

Basic Guidelines of the Triangle Kitchen

In a traditional triangle kitchen, the sink is usually positioned centrally. Now, imagine two diagonal lines starting from this point, going to the left and right. That’s where your oven and refrigerator would be. 

To ensure optimal efficiency, each side of the triangle – or the distance between each point – should be between 4 and 9 feet. Based on these parameters, the total perimeter of the triangle should come out to somewhere between 13 and 26 feet. 

Ideally, there also should be no obstacles – like full-height cupboards – between each point of the triangle. 

Why Rules (& Triangles) Are Meant To Be Broken

Let’s be honest: most rules are merely guidelines (looking at you, airlines saying your luggage needs to fit in this sized box) and the kitchen triangle is no different. 

The key is to consciously decide when you are breaking it why it is a good idea to break it. For example: if you want an oversized island, it can make keeping the triangle intact and unobstructed mathematically impossible. So we improvise. 

Tips for Designing Your Triangle Kitchen

The triangle kitchen operates under the assumption that most of your meal prep is completed near your sink and/or oven. So, if you’ll be using your kitchen island, that rule becomes more of a suggestion. But what about when you are lugging boiling water to strain pasta in the sink? This is why the prep sink was invented. 

Of course, it depends on the layout and the functionality, but often we’ll ensure that the benefits you get from a triangle kitchen are not left behind by making sure there is a ready prep sink nearby the oven for filling up pots with water (or straining them). 

Likewise, it’s also recommended to store your pots, pans, and utensils near your main cooking area. For most meals, you shouldn’t have to retrieve or prepare anything outside of the three points of the triangle. If it’s not right next to your refrigerator, virtually anything you need to prepare a meal should be within reach when you’re standing in between your sink and oven. 

Can a Triangle Kitchen Include an Island Without a Prep Sink?

In many modern homes, an island is at the heart of the kitchen. While sometimes we’ll house a sink or the stove in the island, there are times when that simply doesn’t work. 

But there are solutions. We look at the triangle as a functional solution to cooking with ease, so when we bring it back to first principles – a kitchen needs to be easy to use – we can build up the ideal custom design so that you get everything you want out of your kitchen without sacrificing what you need. 

Does the perfect kitchen designed just for you sound right up your alley? If so, the experts here at Debowsky Design Group would be happy to help you choose the most appropriate design elements for your space. Give us a call when you’re ready to design the kitchen of your dreams.