DESIGN OF A KITCHEN | ARRANGEMENT, SIZES

 ARRANGEMENT IN A KITCHEN:
The arrangement of counters in a Kitchen will vary according to the size and shape of space available for the Kitchen. It is important to keep the basic work area compact even if the kitchen is large so that it is easy for a person to access all the work centres. The relative location of Work Centres should permit a continuity of Kitchen activities such as:
  • Gathering material needed for the preparation of food from the Storage spaces.
  • Cleaning and Mixing for the initial preparation of food.
  • Cooking.
  • Storing the prepared food for serving later, at meal time.
  • Cleaning up.

If this continuity is interrupted by doors or with unnecessary appliances, thus forcing the person to take extra steps every time this gap is crossed, then the convenience and working efficiency are reduced.
There are different arrangements for Kitchens. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. They are discussed here:
"U" ARRANGEMENT- This is the best arrangement because:
  • This affords the most compact work area.
  • This has a continuous worktop.
  • Wasteful circulation is reduced.
  • This allows for maximum storage space, both below and above the counter.
  • It is the most efficient plan.
However, it is not always possible to get 3 walls for having the U shaped counter, because generally a kitchen has 2 doors and at least one of the 3 walls will have a door. However, even if it is a shortened U-arrangement, it is still preferrable to any other shape.

"L" ARRANGEMENT - This is ideally suited where space along 2 walls is sufficiently long enough to accomodate all the necessary work centres. It has the following advantages:
  • This arrangement allows the work area to be concenterated in one corner, thus reducing travel.
  • It allows for unobstructed overhead storage since the windows and doors can be located in the other 2 walls.
  • However, this arrangement has the disadvantage of necessitating longer trips to the ends of the "L".

"CORRIDOR" OR "SINGLE LINE" ARRANGEMENT - This arrangement is acceptable when doors are necessary at each end of the Kitchen. It has the following advantages:
  • Since the parallel counters along the corridor are close to each other, it is easy to access the work areas.
  • However, the length of the corridor may necessitate longer trips to the ends.

CRITICAL DIMENSIONS:
A minimum working space should be provided around each Work Centre to enable efficient working. Overlapping of these spaces is permissible if work at adjacent work centres is not being carried out simultaneously. The 'critical dimensions' given here are based on research.
  • The Sink - 2'8" on one side preferably the right side, because it is easier to wash utensils, vegetables etc and place them on the right side..
  • The Mix - 2'4" is the minimum required for the initial preparation of the food.
  • The Stove - 1'9" on either side to allow for some room for cooking.
  • The Serve - 3'0" for keeping the cooked food. This space can also be used as a breakfast counter.
  • The Refrigerator - 1'3" on the opening side to enable you to take out and put stuff into the refrigerator without much discomfort.
  • The Oven or Microwave - 1'0" on the opening side to allow you to put and remove food without any difficulty.
MINIMUM CLEARANCES - The minimum clearances required for a person in a Kitchen are:
  • 2'3" in front of the counter.
  • 3'6" between 2 counters on opposite walls, but a minimum of 4'0" is needed between 2 opposite counters if 2 people are working in the Kitchen at the same time.
  • 3'2" in front of a cooking range (with oven) to allow you to bend and put in something.
  • 3'0" in front of a refrigerator to enable you to bend and take out stuff.
  • 3'0" in front of the base cabinets, below the counter to allow you to bend and reach for something.
  • 3'2" in front of the drawer to enable you to pull out the drawer.
  • 3'6" in front of a front-opening dish washer.

MINIMUM SIZES OF WORK CENTRES:
Sink- The Minimum width of a sink varies from 1'3" to 1'8" depending on the occupancy (number of persons staying in the dwelling).
Refrigerator - 2'2" for a 2 person dwelling and 2'8" for more number of persons.

MINIMUM SIZES OF KITCHENS:The Minimum size of a Kitchen with a Refrigerator, a Stove (cooking range), a Sink, and basic minimum counter space for Mix and Serve for different occupancy dwellings is listed below:
  • ONE BEDROOM UNIT -
  • 10'0" x 5'6" in a Corridor arrangement where the counter runs along one long wall.
  • 8'0" x 6'0" in a Corridor arrangement with counters on either side of the corridor.
  • 7'6" x 6'0" with a 'L' shaped arrangement in the Kitchen.
  • TWO BEDROOM UNIT OR THREE BEDROOM UNIT -
  • 9'6" x 7'0" with a "L" shaped arrangement in the Kitchen.
  • 9'6" x 8'6" with a "U" shaped arrangement in the Kitchen.
  • FOUR BEDROOM UNIT -
  • 11'0" x 7'0" with a "L" shaped arrangement in the Kitchen.
  • 1'0" x 9'0" with a "U" shaped arrangement in the Kitchen.
KITCHEN LOCATION:
The Kitchen is not a specialized room but has many uses. It is a space used for preparing meals, storage of food and utensils, eating, child care, entertaining etc. It is the most used space in a house and hence it should have a pleasant, attractive and cheerful atmosphere. It should also be well lit and well ventilated. The windows of the Kitchen should allow in sunlight which can kill the germs that thrive on kitchen counters and floors and also dry it up. The windows should also allow fresh air into the kitchen while the kitchen fumes and food odours are removed by an exhaust. For this, it is advisable to consider the orientation of the kitchen with respect to the sunlight and wind direction. To get some tips on the best location for a Kitchen, go to:

SPACE SAVING BEDS


In cities it is difficult to have more than a two or three bedroom apartment. If you have growing kids or elderly parents or have overnight guests once in a while, don't panic. Invest in a space-saving bed like the ones described here. 

The advantages and usage of each type has been explained to help you decide on the one that suits you the most.

SOFA BED 

The  sofa bed is a convertible multi-functional piece of furniture that can be used as a seat during the day and reconfigured as a bed at night. therefore, it is also known as a sleeper sofa. The divan bed is also a sofa bed, but without arms at one end to enable comfortable sleep by longer people. 


ADVANTAGES OF A SOFA BED:

  • Multi-use: It can be used as a seat during the day and converted into a bed at night and can also be used for storage. Space saver: The Sofa bed fits neatly anywhere in your home, without taking up an excessive amount of space.
  • Extra bed: The sofa bed provides an extra bed in the living room in case you do not have a guest room.
  • Comfortable: Apart from looking nice, it is very comfortable.
  • Storing away: A sofa bed need not be folded and stored away when not in use, thus preventing the musty, dusty smell that clings to unused mattresses.
USAGE OF A SOFA BED: It is probably one of the best space-saving beds, as it provides a simple means of making a spare bed available at short notice whilst also being functional during the daytime. Therefore, it is the most popular choice for accommodating overnight guests. The  sofa bed is a convertible multi-functional piece of furniture that can be used as a seat during the day and reconfigured as a bed at night. therefore, it is also known as a sleeper sofa. The divan bed is also a sofa bed, but without arms at one end to enable comfortable sleep by longer people.

FUTON BED

Futon is very similar to a sofa bed and plays the dual role of a sofa as well as a bed. Futon is an English word derived from the Japanese 'futon', a term referring to the traditional style of Japanese bedding consisting of a thin padded mattress that can be folded and stored away during the day, allowing the room to serve for purposes other than as a bedroom. 


ADVANTAGES OF A FUTON BED:

  • Versatile: It can be used anywhere in the house, where you need an extra seating/sleeping area.
  • Space saver: It does not take up as much space as a bed or sofa.
  • Economic: A Futon bed is economical and can be bought by most people.
  • Multi-use: With a small motion, you can convert a comfortable couch to have an extra sleeping bed and then turn it back to a couch.
  • Easy to assemble: It is easy to assemble and dissemble. This is helpful as it can pass through a narrow or small entrance whereas already assembled cots can be difficult to get through many hallways.
  • Comfortable:  Nowadays, futon beds are thicker and more comfortable than their earlier counterparts.
  • Stylish:  It adds style and elegance to the room and you can change the look and feel of the entire room, just by changing the cover of the futon bed.

USAGE OF A FUTON BED: Like a Sofa bed, Futon bed is a good space-saving bed as it makes a spare bed available at short notice whilst also being functional during the daytime. If you have limited accommodation or you are short of an extra room in your house, then the Futon Bed comes handy for accommodating overnight  guests.

TRUNDLE BED

Trundle Bed  is essentially a bed on wheels, rollers or casters that can be rolled out from beneath an upper bed. So, a trundle bed is a space saver that allows an extra bed to be made available when unexpected guests arrive.

ADVANTAGES OF TRUNDLE BEDS:

  • An extra bed: A Trundle bed is an easy way of providing a spare bed at the time of necessity, without blocking the space constantly.
  • A space saver: A  Trundle bed allows the room to be spacious during the day and provides an extra bed at night. Ideal for children’s ’sleepover’ parties.
  • Ideal for bigger families: In houses with few bedrooms but more inmates, the trundle bed comes in handy.
  • Better than a bunk bed in kids rooms: Easy to handle and simple to maintain, these beds are sturdy and safer than bunk beds.
  • A storage drawer: When a trundle bed is not used for sleeping, it can be used as a general storage drawer.

USAGE OF A TRUNDLE BED:

People often buy a trundle bed to provide extra bed space for overnight guests or for children’s “sleepover” parties. When a trundle bed is not used for sleeping, the mattress of the lower bed can be removed and it can be used as a general storage drawer.

BUNK BED

Bunk bed is essentially a two-in-one bed, with one bunk placed above the other and held apart by support struts. The top bed is surrounded by a railing to prevent the sleeper from falling out and accessed by a ladder or steps. 

ADVANTAGES OF A BUNK BED:

  • Durability:  The bunk bed is durable and can be used by your child from age three through college.
  • Sharing a bedroom:  A bunk bed allows two kids to share a small room without having to sleep in the same bed.
  • Space-saver:  It frees up valuable floor space for a desk and play area for your child.
  • Resale:  A good quality bunk bed can be sold later and you can get a good resale value for it.
  • Flexibility: Bunk beds are flexible, the top bunk can be removed and used like a regular single bed once the kids have grown up .

USAGE OF A BUNK BED:

By using vertical space, a bunk bed allows two people to sleep in the floor space of one. Therefore, it is popular in places where multiple people must sleep in a small space like children's bedrooms, dorms, hostels, prisons and summer holiday accommodation.

MURPHY BED

The Murphy Bed also known as wallbed, or fold away bed – was named after William Murphy who invented it in the beginning of the twentieth century to make more space in his one-bed apartment to entertain his friends. When not required, the bed folds away vertically into the wall or a closet, allowing the room to be used for other purposes and when required, it unfolds to transform the room into a bedroom.  

ADVANTAGES OF MURPHY BEDS:

  • Space saver: The biggest advantage of Murphy bed is that it can be easily folded away during the daytime, when not required and you can utilize the space for some other purposes.
  • Economical: Murphy beds are economical and pocket friendly. At times, the Murphy beds are found to be cheaper than the regular ones.
  • Usefulness:  Murphy beds can be used by anyone including pets!

USAGE OF MURPHY BED:

In recent times, the wallbed has not been so popular because of the availability of alternative, space-saving beds such as futons or trundle beds which are a lot more comfortable. However, as cities are getting crowded, the apartments are getting smaller and in such spaces, Murphy beds are the best alternative.

For information on other types of beds, go to:

Featured Post

VAASTU SHASTRA GUIDELINES FOR DESIGNING A HOUSE

VAASTU SHASTRA FOR INTERIORS OF A HOUSE :  Vaastu Shastra lays down guidelines on the 'design of the Interior of a House'  so th...