Kitchen Plan—a Taped View

The kitchen update project is well underway.  I last wrote about the changes to be made, but I failed to say that my greatest hope is that the changes will result in a much better work space and traffic pattern. 

In the old kitchen we had to circumnavigate the peninsula to get to the dining table or the breakfast bar.  So, if you needed the ketchup or anything else once seated at the table, you went through an obstacle course to get it.  The new layout will give a direct route from the table to the fridge, table to the microwave, table to the silverware drawer and table to the kitchen sink.  My new “work triangle” works!

One thing I was concerned about when changing the floor plan was whether there would be enough clearance between and around each appliance.  First, I drew up a scaled drawing of the proposed layout.  However, since I’m both a visual and kinetic person, I needed more than the drawings to “know” that the new design would work.  So, I found another use for painter’s tape. 

Then, I marked out the spatial measurements for the island and appliances on the kitchen floor with the painters tape.  This really helped me see and feel that there would be enough space for the refrigerator doors and freezer drawer to open with room to stand in front to look inside.  I established that the dishwasher door could be opened all the way for loading.  I also wanted to make certain that the door to the deck could be opened without hitting the new counter and island.

Here are more photos of my painters tape markings.

A big advantage to my tape markings was that I could easily explain the renovations I wanted to the contractor, the cabinet maker and the counter fabricator.  They could visualize what I wanted immediately.  They could also see that I had planned the necessary clearances and walkways for a much better traffic pattern and a much improved working kitchen. I would recommend doing this taped layout to anyone planning a kitchen renovation.  Taping really helps with communicating your ideas to others, including your spouse and children.