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:

• VAASTU SHASTRA | KITCHEN

Related Topics:

• DESIGN OF A KITCHEN | PLANNING
• DESIGN OF OTHER ROOMS IN A HOUSE

VAASTU SHASTRA | KITCHEN GARDEN

The Kitchen Garden is a perfect addition to any house - it improves the atmosphere completely.  It is a place where utensil washing, grinding and preparation of food is done. 

If there is a more space, then herbs, vegetables and fruit trees are grown and it is a place for family members to sit outside and enjoy the outdoors.




LOCATION OF A KITCHEN GARDEN:

• East or Northern sides of the plot are ideal for Kitchen backyard/garden.
• Avoid backyards in the Southern and Western sides of the plot.
• In a West facing house, there should be a bigger backyard towards the East instead of a front garden in the West.
• In South facing house, there should ideally be a big backyard towards the North instead of any open space in the front,  in the South.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR A KITCHEN GARDEN:

• All the five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) need to be balanced and in harmony in the kitchen garden for the plants to grow free from disease and stress. 
• The disproportion of any one element-quality of the earth, quality of water, wind, sun, or the amount of space it is planted in-will inhibit the growth of the plants.
• Each area of the kitchen garden is associated with one of the five elements.

VAASTU FOR THE FOUR CORNERS OF A KITCHEN GARDEN:

SOUTH-WEST:

• The South-West area of the Kitchen garden is associated with the earth element which creates a sustaining and grounding force. 
• Stabilise the South-West area of your garden with a rock garden, tall trees and even a stone statue. 

NORTH-EAST:

• The water element should be used in the North-East part of the kitchen backyard to allow the plants to flourish.
• Add a fountain or reflection pool or pond or swimming pool in this area to reflect this beneficial energy throughout the garden. 
• Avoid tall trees in the North-East. Grow only low plants that will allow the flow of positive solar energy.  

SOUTH-EAST:

• The South-East side of your garden should be devoted to the fire element so that the plants will be disease free. You can place a fire pit or an outdoors cooking fire in this corner.
• In case you do not want to have an outdoor stove, then plant tulips, geraniums and dahlias here as red is the colour of this  direction.

NORTH-WEST:

• Balance the air element in the North-West to encouraging cross-pollination. 
• Use wind chimes in this corner.
• Since blue is the colour of this area, plant bluebells, forget-me-nots and iris to enhance the influences coming from this direction.

This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the design of a Kitchen Garden. The Kitchen garden is generally adjacent to the Kitchen and Store room and leads to the Front garden and the Gate. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

Vaastu Shastra | Kitchen 
Vaastu Shastra | Store room
Vaastu Shastra | Gates
Vaastu Shastra | Garden trees and plants

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Kitchen Garden.

Related Topics:

VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS

VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION

VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

KITCHEN MATERIALS

A kitchen is a room or part of a room used for cooking  and food preparation. It may also be used for dining and entertaining. A kitchen is typically equipped with a stove, a sink, a refrigerator, kitchen countertop and kitchen cabinets. In addition there may be a microwave oven, a dishwasher and other electric appliances. 

•  KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS
• KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES

VAASTU SHASTRA | KITCHEN

The Kitchen is an extremely important part of the house, where healthy food for the family is prepared. It is essential that the Kitchen be a compact, efficient, safe and easy place to work in.

Vastu Shastra lays down guidelines for the design and layout of Kitchens based on scientific principles. Here are some of the Vaastu Guidelines to be considered, while designing a Kitchen.

DOOR POSITION TO THE KITCHEN:

• Preference: In the North, East or in the North-East corner of the Kitchen.
• The door should open in a clockwise direction.

WINDOW LOCATION IN A KITCHEN:

• The ventilators and larger Kitchen windows should be in the East direction.
• The smaller windows can be in the South.
• There should be adequate provision for cross ventilation.

COOKING STOVE POSITION:

• The cooking stove is best placed in the South East.
• One should cook facing East as much as possible.
• The stove should not be visible from the outside.

KITCHEN SINK POSITION:

• The ideal position for the location of the Kitchen sink is in the North East.
• The cooking gas and the washing sink should be kept away from each other.
• Water taps should not be in the corner.
• There should be no leaking taps in the kitchen.

WATER FILTER LOCATION:

• The water filter and drinking water should be stored in the North East corner.

ELECTRIC APPLIANCES LOCATIONS:

• The Refrigerator can be placed in the North-West or the South-West.
• Electrical appliances like microwave can be put in the South-East corner.
• Exhaust fans in the eastern walls in the South-East corner. 

KITCHEN STORAGE:

• No overhead storage cupboards, or shelves above the the cooking stove.
• It is useful to have overhead storage in the rest of the areas.

EATING IN THE KITCHEN:

• According to Vastu, the Kitchen is the best place to have the daily meals.
• If there is a dining table in the kitchen, it can be in the North West corner.
• Avoid a dining table in the centre of the room.

COLOURS IN THE KITCHEN:

• It is good to have a lot of green colour in the kitchen. For example green granite for flooring or green pictures, as this helps improve the appetite of the family members.
• Other suitable colours are soft pink and orange.

VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE FOR THE KITCHEN: 
This exercise is just a guideline to help you decide, where to position the Kitchen in your house plan. In case you already have a house, then this exercise will help you to evaluate the location of your existing Kitchen as per Vastu Shastra principles. Accordingly, you can decide if you want to make some corrections and changes to your house.

• Note the score for the following question and enter it in the score sheet.
• Total the points.
• The points indicate how favorable your House is, according to Vaastu.
• The interpretation of the record of points is given at the end of the SCORE SHEET

POSITION OF THE KITCHEN:

DIRECTION	POINTS
SOUTH-EAST	10
NORTH-WEST	9
EAST	8
WEST	7
SOUTH	6
NORTH	5
NORTH-EAST	4
SOUTH-WEST	3

This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the design of a Kitchen. The Kitchen leads to the next spaces namely the Store Room, Kitchen Garden and sometimes the back Gate. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

• VAASTU SHASTRA | STORE ROOM
• VAASTU SHASTRA | GATES
• VAASTU SHASTRA | GARDEN TREES AND PLANTS

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Kitchen

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE