Page 388 - 2018 National Home Improvement

2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 310

Food usually moves from the refrigerator to the sink to the range. That’s the work triangle. Figure 12-02
shows four common kitchen floor plans: "U", "L", corridor and sidewall kitchens. The work triangle is
smallest in "U" and corridor kitchens. Use a sidewall kitchen when space is very limited. The "L"
arrangement is best for a square kitchen that includes an eating area with a table.

Cabinets and Counters
Here’s a yardstick to judge whether there’s enough cabinet and counter space in a home. Figures are in
linear feet of counter or cabinet face per thousand square feet of floor in the living area (everything under
the roof except the garage, soffit, patio and porch). Allow a little more counter and cabinet space in a
small home (under 1200 square feet). A very large home (over 4,000 square feet) may need less space
than indicated below. Measure linear feet of counter at the front or back edge, whichever is shorter.

•Counter – 8 linear feet per 1000 square feet of living area
•Base cabinet – 7 linear feet per 1000 square feet of living area
•Wall cabinet – 6 linear feet per 1000 square feet of living area