A well-designed and well-organized kitchen makes
all the difference in the world. The kitchen is the heart of the home.
It is a place for cooking, entertaining, eating, socializing, relaxing,
even working. No other space sees so much intense activity by the whole
family and their guests.
The first layout option is the simple, or
corridor, layout. One countertop stretches along one wall and usually
contains the sink. A second countertop stretches along the opposite
wall, which is usually interrupted by the stove and the refrigerator.
If the sink and the stove are along the same wall, it is important that
the refrigerator not be directly across from the stove, or traffic jams
may result.
The second layout option is the L-shaped kitchen.
Two countertops sit perpendicular to each other, and the sink, stove,
and refrigerator form a triangle along this L. Most of the food
preparation will take place in the corner, which avoids other traffic
moving through the kitchen.
The third layout option is the U-shaped kitchen,
which is valuable for small spaces where countertops need to be
maximized. The sink, stove, and refrigerator will each sit on one leg
of the U-shaped kitchen.
The island layout is perfect for spacious
kitchens. Often, an L-shaped or U-shaped countertop will sit along one
wall, with the island in the center for additional food preparation.
Sometimes, a stovetop rests on the island. Sometimes an additional sink
is placed there for vegetable preparation. The only issue with island
kitchens is that they be laid out with the work triangle in mind, such
that the island does not block the triangular flow of traffic.
Bi-level countertops are also popular. A second,
smaller countertop runs several inches above the primary countertop,
which provides extra temporary storage space, away from the dampness
and mess of food preparation, for recipes, dishes, drinks, and anything
else that will be needed shortly, but would be in the way now.
Countertop overhangs provide a built-in, casual
eating space. But they must be adequately reinforced. Natural stone is
naturally brittle, and must have adequate support to keep from
breaking. Your contractor or stone dealer will advise you regarding
extra support if your countertops are to overhang your cabinets by more
than 6 inches.
Sink
And now, the question of sinks! There are three
primary types of kitchen sinks: self-rimming, undermount, and farm.
Self-rimming, or drop-in, sinks sit on top of the countertop. This is
the least attractive sink option, and the least practical, as the
countertops cannot be wiped off directly into the sink. The rim
prevents this from happening smoothly. Also, food particles can get
stuck between the sink and the countertop and breed bacteria and mold,
which can, in turn attract pests.
Undermount sinks are attractive and functional. In
this case, the kitchen faucet is usually attached to the countertop,
though some undermount sinks allow for the attachment of faucets
directly to them. Countertops can be wiped down directly into the sink,
and the flow of the natural stone across the countertop is not
interrupted by an ugly sink dam. Undermount sinks come in a wide
variety of shapes and sizes, and give more freedom of style and design
than any other sink.
Farm sinks are, perhaps, the most aesthetically
pleasing of all kitchen sinks. They are an entire sink unit which
intentionally breaks the flow of the countertop almost like an
appliance. (Where this is a bad thing with a drop-in sink, it's a very
good thing with a farm sink because these are substantial sinks that
are a visual focus of the kitchen.) They have a finished front wall
which leads directly up and over into the sink basin. Farm sinks are
made of many materials, but the most attractive ones are made of
granite, marble, or travertine. For the heavily-used kitchen, granite
farm sinks are the most practical.
Sinks are getting more attention, not only as
design elements, but as practical features, and are getting larger as
time goes by. But the standard cabinet size does not. It may be,
therefore, that you just don't have enough room for the sink that you
want. In this case, a bump-out can be built. This is where the
countertop and cabinet at the sink extend several inches away from the
wall, out into the kitchen, to provide a bit more space for the sink.
Bump-outs can be extremely attractive, especially to highlight a
particularly beautiful sink.
If all the options get too overwhelming, relax,
have a cup of tea, and imagine yourself in your new kitchen with your
beautiful new stone countertops. Then take out a piece of paper, and
take things step by step. Your contractor or stone dealer is always
there to answer questions.
And before you know it, you'll be preparing your
favorite recipes on countertops more beautiful than you could have ever
imagined!
Deciding on kitchen countertop layouts for new
construction or remodeling is a big decision! There are four basic
kitchen layouts which have proven effective in managing space and
traffic. They all make use of the kitchen triangle principle, which
means that a uniform triangle can be drawn between the sink, the
refrigerator, and the stove.
(cn-stonenet.com)
