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The Kitchen Triangle- How important?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Dagny's Real Estate

The Kitchen Triangle - How Important?

 

Do you remember years ago in your mother's tiny kitchen, she seemed to be able to pull off cooking for a huge crowd, and without too much trouble!    She could cook for a small crowd of 8 (the family), or she could pull off a dinner party for 30 with equal ease.    The kitchen was always the smallest room in the house, practically,  but always functioned well, due to the placement of all of the main appliances.    This is home design at its best.

 

The main appliances were, of course, the refrigerator, the stove, and the sink.   The distance in good home design could always be measured in feet, not yards.   There were no huge granite counter topped islands to get in the way, There were no dishwashers, microwaves, etc.   Nothing fancy, but boy, could my mother cook!    

 

There also always was a window central to the kitchen to let in sunshine, fresh air, and the noises from children playing in the backyard.   It was easy to cook and converse with this home design with the family, whether in or out, and something yummy always made its way out of the tiny kitchen.

 

The most important thing, ALWAYS, in our mother's kitchens and in a good design today, is the famous triangle, and close proximity of each of these crucial appliances.   

 

The Kitchen Triangle - How Important?

Kathryn Acciari
Central One Federal Credit Union - Shrewsbury, MA
Mortgage Loan Originator

A great reminder of why things worked in the past, Dagny.  I've had a large kitchen for several years now, and when I sell this house and buy my next one I plan to have a galley kitchen with one length open to the eating living area.  I've had enough of roaming around my kitchen!  Great post.

Feb 24, 2010 08:19 AM
Alice Broadway
IXL Real Estate - Mobile, AL
Real Estate Broker

Dagny, you are so right about the kitchen triangle. My mothers kitchen was small too, but man she could cook up a meal in no time. I remember when she first saw my sons kitchen which is extremely large, she said WOW! I would be worn out cooking in this kitchen cause everything is too far apart."

Thans for the post and the memory. 

Feb 24, 2010 08:35 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn.    I agree with the plan for the future - maybe I should just buy my mother-in-law's house!

In todays' kitchens, the kids also need an au pere just to keep track of them while mom cooks!

Feb 24, 2010 09:34 AM
Ross Therrien
Prudential Verani Realty, Londonderry,New Hampshire - Londonderry, NH
Realtor, Broker Associate

My grandmother in Montreal had the smallest kitchen.  On holidays we'd be all celebrating and out of the blue she'd have this killer meal.   She also kept her wringer washer between the sink and refrigerator.

Good times.

Feb 24, 2010 11:59 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Dagny ~ I completely agree about the advantages of a compact kitchen. One of my favorite kitchens was in an apartment in New Haven. The old fashioned sink was in the pantry and all you had to do with the clean dishes was reach up and put them on the shelves. I see buyers turn up their nose at similar setups and at kitchens that are less than gigantic. Hopefully we'll come to our collective senses.

Liz

Feb 24, 2010 12:08 PM
John Queenan
CDPE, Nicholas H. Fingelly Real Estate - Sandy Hook, CT

I have to say I like a kitchen with an effective triangle measured in steps not yards, BUT, I do love when there is an island or peninsula to keep the party guests out of the Chef's (MY) triangle since they all congregate in the kitchen regardless of the size of the home.

Great Post Dagny

Feb 24, 2010 12:58 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

It is so true, isn't it?   Most of us grew up having smaller kitchens, and fabulous meals came out of them.   Even Julia Childs' kitchen was tiny!

Feb 24, 2010 01:59 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Now Dagny this post brought back the memories!  You are right the kitchen was the hub of everything and the food creations that can out of that tiny room, unbelievable....it was a simpler time.

Feb 25, 2010 12:58 PM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thanks for the comment - we moved every four years or so - my Dad was an independent consultant - but we always had a cozy kitchen for our family of eight....

Feb 25, 2010 01:40 PM
SHARON CHARBONEAU
UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES - Sechelt, BC

Enjoyed your post.  The triangle has always been a big consideration for kitchens.

While I was removing the wallpaper in this kitchen, where the fridge had been sitting, I started thinking what a waste of real estate that was and how much more attractive this corner would look with a table & stools I happen to have in my inventory.

With the laundry room right beside the kitchen, I thought why not put the fridge in there beside the washer & dryer and create a small seating area for two?  The owner agreed with the idea, so I broke up the triangle, ever so slightly and I think it was the right call for this condo.

I removed the door & added a curtain to soften the look - the fridge is not far away at all

laundry room

 

upstaging kitchenseating area

before kitchen

Feb 27, 2010 06:53 AM
SHARON CHARBONEAU
UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES - Sechelt, BC

oops now I have to adjust my photo!

Feb 27, 2010 06:55 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

Thanks for the great explanation with those photos!   I think you were right to break it up.....

Feb 27, 2010 09:17 AM
SHARON CHARBONEAU
UPSTAGING YOUR HOMES - Sechelt, BC

Thanks Dagny.  Best of all the person buying it liked the idea too!

Feb 27, 2010 11:50 AM
Dagny Eason
Dagny's Real Estate - Wilton, CT
Fairfield County CT, CDPE Homes For Sale and Condo

That's so great, when it works out that way!

Feb 27, 2010 12:57 PM