Dividing your kitchen into distinct zones will enhance the ease of use of your space and help to keep it organised.
The kitchen work triangle has been a staple of kitchen design for more than a century. And while this golden triangle remains an excellent guideline for planning your kitchen renovation, the way that we use kitchens today has changed how we approach their design.
Rather than planning around a single triangle, the multi-use spaces that are modern kitchens can be divided into various work zones based on the activity each area will be used for. The rules of the kitchen work triangle can then be applied between each of these zones.
There are four major activities that take place in any kitchen: preparation, cooking, storage and cleaning. Each of these functions should have its own space to avoid chaos and traffic. Homeowners and cooks may also want to include additional zones – e.g. baking, tech or coffee – if they have the space in their kitchen.
Let’s take a closer look at the four kitchen zones.
Preparation
Planning your preparation – or prep – zone to ensure maximum functionality and efficiency is crucial. This is likely the area where you’ll be spending the most time in your kitchen.
The work centre where the components of a meal are prepared before being cooked, your prep zone will need ample counter space. The area should also have sufficient storage for the items commonly used when preparing food.
Items kept in the prep zone:
- Aprons & kitchen towels
- Cutting boards
- Knives
- Mixing bowls
- Baking trays
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Peeling, cutting & chopping utensils
Besides well-organised cupboards and drawers, it’s a great idea to include a prep bowl (smaller, secondary sink) and waste bin in this zone. This will allow you to rinse food and dispose of cuttings and packaging without having to leave the prep area.
Cooking
Located alongside the prep zone for ease of transition between preparation and cooking, the cooking zone is the area where food is being cooked in your kitchen. This zone is usually centred around the oven or stove, as this is likely where most of the cooking happens. Other appliances, like a microwave, warming drawer, rice cooker, kettle or electric frying pan, will also be stored here.
The stovetop will occupy the most surface space in the cooking zone, but a bit of counter space on either side of the cooktop is also needed. This area is essential for keeping prepared ingredients on hand while cooking and placing items as they come out of the oven.
Cooking zone items:
- Cooking utensils
- Oils
- Spices & seasonings
- Pots & pans
- Casserole dishes
- Oven gloves
- Cookbooks & owner’s manuals
When organising the cooking zone, it’s best to place utensils like wooden spoons, spatulas and tongs next to the hob. This placement will ensure these items are within arm’s reach whenever you need them while cooking.
Storage
As it covers a wide range of items, the storage zone is often further divided into consumables and non-consumables storage.
Consumables storage
The consumables storage zone is the area where food is stored and will be home to your fridge and pantry. Keeping these components alongside each other will maximise convenience and make it easier to gather and put away ingredients, but isn’t essential.
Kitchen consumables:
- Coffee & tea
- Grains, pasta & cereals
- Sugar, flour & baking aids
- Oils
- Tinned food
- Fruits & vegetables
- Dairy products
- Eggs
Non-consumables storage
Everything necessary to serve food as well as pack up and store leftovers should be kept in the non-consumables storage zone.
Non-consumables:
- Tupperware
- Glass storage containers
- Cutlery
- Crockery
- Drinking glasses
Cleaning
The cleaning zone is where you’ll find the primary sink and dishwasher. Again, there should be plenty of counter space on either side of the sink – one to serve as a landing area for dirty dishes and the other as a drying area for handwashing.
Another essential element of this area is the sink bottom cabinet, which is where household cleaners and cleaning utensils are stored. Pull-out organisers can be installed in this cabinet to keep it tidy while optimising the space.
Cleaning zone kitchen items:
- Household cleaners
- Detergent
- Rubbish bags
- Sponges & dish swabs
- Dishwasher powder & salt
Locating your recycling, compost and rubbish bins in – or in close proximity to – the cleaning area is a great idea. This positioning is convenient when you need to scrape dishes before washing or dispose of crumbs from the worktop.
Let us help you set up your kitchen zones to ensure maximum efficiency in your kitchen renovation in Cape Town. Contact us today to arrange an obligation-free quotation and get started on planning your dream kitchen.
