If you're contemplating a complete remodel of your kitchen, you'll spend a lot of time talking colors and floors and appliances. But what about the design and location of where you're going to put things? While there are some basic considerations about how things should be installed, there are no hard and fast rules about where you have to place everything. Think about your lifestyle and your cooking style and opt for appliance placement that works the best for you. Appliances are going to be your biggest expense in a remodel. So you want the right appliances and you want them in the right location. Kitchen design works best when you can work back and forth between the counter areas almost in circular fashion. But, there's no reason to put appliances in certain locations because that's where they've always gone. So, be creative, but here are a few things to keep in mind. Who spends the most time in your family kitchen? Is that person right-handed or left-handed? Refrigerators often come with the option of the doors opening from either side. Or if you don't want one or the other, a French door refrigerator may be your best option. The other consideration is whether the dishwasher goes to the right or the left of the sink. Keep in mind the surrounding details so that you don't block doorways with the refrigerator, or so that you can open the dishwasher and the refrigerator at the same time if need be. Make sure an open oven door doesn't block a doorway. Those are simple, yet important considerations. There's no real reason that your dishwasher has to sit at floor height. Consider elevating it to a mid-height location and then putting your microwave above it. You'll find easier access to both. Likewise, put built-in ovens side by side rather than stacked one on top of another. Or place them at the right height so you can easily see inside both. Keep in mind you need counter space nearby to place hot items as they come out of the ovens. If you have the cabinet space to store your small appliances, have them housed in a mid-level cabinet around 40 inches from the floor. You'll find easier access to them, which likely means you'll use them more often. As noted, the general rule is to have the refrigerator, stove and sink in a triangle pattern where they can be easily accessed. Keep in mind these other general rules. If there is only one sink in the kitchen, it should be between or across from the main preparation area, refrigerator and stove. And there should be a minimum of 24" on one side of the sink and 18" on the other. The dishwasher should be within three feet of the sink. Some designers recommend that your kitchen be divided into zones where specific tasks have their own specific area. A wet zone would include the sink and dishwasher but would also consider the cabinets and accessories that work best in this area including space for dishwashing detergents and cleaning utensils on one side and the coffeemaker on the other. A dry zone would be a food preparation area that would have the longest stretch of countertop close to the refrigerator. And finally the hot zone would be anchored by the oven and cooktop. Pots and pans would be located conveniently nearby. Depending on how elaborate your kitchen setup will be and the extent of your budget, you may have the option for additional accessories such as a television under the counter or a computer work station. These would also factor into your appliance placement. This is your kitchen. Make the design and appliance placement work for you. Lawrence Reaves writes for Hamilton Beach, a kitchen appliance company that offers a selection of products ranging from slow cookers to blenders and food processors. For more information about any of these products and others click here.
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