What is the Kitchen Work Triangle?

Sometimes it seems that kitchen trends can change faster than we can change channels. One day white is in, then it’s shiplap, subway tiles, then dine-in islands. One kitchen design principle that seems to have outlasted all the fads, however, is the idea of the Kitchen Work Triangle. Beginning in the middle of the last century, the idea of the work triangle rose to popularity to connect the cooktop, refrigerator, and sink through design.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) each leg of the triangle should be between 4-9 feet with the sum of the triangle being no greater than 26 feet. While this may sound like a complex math problem, there are many formations of this idea that can work with various kitchen designs.

Like so much of what is done with creative design, the Kitchen Work Triangle can be tailored to fit your individual needs, style, and lifestyle. And with kitchen trends changing so rapidly, the style and size of your kitchen often dictate if this is a possibility for you at all. For instance, a contemporary, open plan kitchen or a very small galley kitchen may not lend itself to following this principle.

Often, the answer to whether following this guideline is right for you is common sense. For example, if you have a kitchen layout that is exclusively along one wall, the triangle is not an option for you. Even an untrained design eye could probably guess that the most effective layout would by a sink flanked by counter prep space on either side with a stove and refrigerator at opposite ends.

If this all sounds too complicated, don’t worry. Conundrums like these arise frequently in large renovation projects. That’s why we at Fairview have a patient and experienced team to help you tackle these issues. If you would like to book a FREE consultation with one of our designers, click HERE.