KITCHENAkitchenis aroomor part of a room used forcookingandfood preparationin a dwelling or in a commercial establishment. In the West, a modern residential kitchen is typically equipped with astove, asinkwith hot and cold running water, arefrigerator, counters and kitchencabinetsarranged according to amodular design. Many households have a microwave oven, adishwasherand other electric appliances. The main function of a kitchen is serving as a location for storing, cooking and preparing food (and doing related tasks such asdishwashing), but it may also be used fordining,entertainingandlaundry.FUNCTION OF KITCHENIts best to begin by considering broad functional issues such as these: How important is cooking?Are you a gourmet chef, or would you be just as happy if you could turn your range into a planter and use your dishwasher as a file cabinet? (Dont laugh; I know someone who did just that!) Do you like to entertain lavishly, in small groups, or not at all?Are holiday dinners always at your home, or do you wish they were? If you entertain a lot, do you use caterers? Do you want to eat in your kitchen?If so, how much seating do you need, and what kind of seating should it be? Should you have a large or small table, a counter with stools, a nook, a banquette, or perhaps a cozy lounge chair or two? Do you have a large family or do you live alone?Is your family growing or are you an empty nester? Does your family include petswhose needs must be accommodated in the design? How much storage do you require?Do you need a large butlers pantry for storing silver and glassware, or just a small cabinet for a few canned goods? Do you dream of your new kitchenas a busy gathering place for friends and family, or a quiet place for a cup of tea and a good book? Does either dream include a fireplace? Is ease of maintenance a high priority? Do you want a wet barin your kitchen? Will your kitchen serve as an officefor household management or a home-based business, or as a message center with space for a calendar, phone, and computer? Do you envision using your kitchen for hobbies?Do you want a place for your wine collection or a potting sink? Would you like your children to do their homework or arts and crafts projects in the kitchen? How should your kitchen relate functionally to your other rooms? Should it open onto, or be part of, a family room, dining room, mudroom, or laundry room? I know of one kitchen in a large, turn-of-the-century Boston home where a mother of three young boys included not only a washer and dryer but also her kids closets and bathroom. Coming in from playing, the boys dump their dirty clothes right in the hamper, bathe, and put on clean clothes without tramping mud through the house! How do you want your kitchen to relate to the outdoors?Should it open onto a patio, or should part of the cooking function, such as a grill, be outside? Is there a particularly beautiful view that can be captured through thoughtfully placed windows? Do you require,or anticipate the need for, wheelchair accessibility or accommodations for other special needs for you or members of your family?Once you have decided on the general functional requirements of your new kitchen, you can focus on more specific issues: Precisely how do you cook?Do you favor high-tech gear or conventional appliances? These days, we are no longer restricted to the simple choice of gas versus electric cooking. Modern ranges have evolved to include both in one, as well as other new technologies. Are you interested in some of the modern, health-conscious, water-based cooking appliances such as steam ovens or sinks with integrated steam-cooking units? Modular elements are also a valuable option, enabling you to mix and match traditional ranges with deep fryers and grills, or even a wok burner, pizza oven, or wood-burning rotisserie. If youre working with limited space, you might investigate the newest miniaturized cooking appliances that not only take up less room but also serve multiple functions such as microwaving, grilling, broiling, and baking. Is there more than one cook in your family?If so, you may want to create multiple workstations. If you use caterers,would it be useful to have a separate prep area or secondary kitchen for them to work in? Do you want to maximize counter space?Under-the-counter microwave ovens and refrigerators are options worth considering. Plus, they are handy for kids! Do you like to bake?You might plan for a dedicated baking area, with a stone countertop for kneading dough and rolling out piecrusts. Consider building it lower than your other countertops for comfort and accessibility. Do you cook on the run?Perhaps a warming drawer for carryout food is just the thing for you. Warming drawers are also great for home owners who entertain a lot. Is speed of preparation important?There are appliances geared to that as well, such as ovens that combine microwave and convection technologies to dramatically decrease cooking time, and new electronic cooktops that heat up virtually as quickly as gas burners. Is easy maintenance a high priority?If so, you may wish to trade in your high-tech, high-BTU gas range for a sleek, easy-to-clean electric model with a smooth glass surface that wipes up instantly. Do you want a full entertainment centerin your kitchen to draw others in, or just a radio or small TV for your personal use while you cook or grab breakfast before work?

WORK TRIANGLE

It is the centerpiece of most kitchen layouts. The goals of a good kitchen work triangle are to place the three most common work sites the most efficient distance apart and to minimize traffic through the work zone.In the traditional kitchen the three main work sites are: Refrigerator - the cold storage work site Sink - the cleaning/preparation work site Stove - the cooking work siteThese represent the three points of the kitchen work triangle. If you place these too far away from each other you waste a lot of steps while preparing a meal. If they are too close to each other you have a cramped kitchen with out any place to work.Kitchen Work Triangle Basics Each leg of the triangle should be between 4 and 9 feet The total of all three legs should be between 12 and 26 feet No obstructions (cabinets, islands, etc.) should intersect a leg of the work triangle Household traffic should not flow through the work triangle

The Work Triangle: Design for Living

Modern kitchens have three primary work areas: the refrigerator, the stove, and the sink. The work triangle consists of a logical, ergonomic arrangement of these three work areas to make kitchen work easier and more efficient.

Consider spacing

If the three work areas are too close to each other, multiple people working in the kitchen together can get in each others way. Too far away and your work becomes tiring and time-consuming. Each leg of the work triangle should measure between 4 and 9 feet in length. The total length of all 3 legs should be between 12 and 26 feet.

Double up

If you have the enviable luxury of a larger kitchen, consider including two complimentary work triangles in different parts of the kitchen, so multiple cooks can work together simultaneously. Since cooking has become more of a communal activity for friends and family, having two distinct work areas-- each with its own triangular planmakes a lot of sense.

Interior designer Lynn Schrage recommends extending the kitchens functionality even further. In Healthy Home 2010, we included a generous Kohler enameled cast iron sink in the mudroom, she says, That way, everyone can remove their shoes and wash up before entering the house, which is not only tidier, but further reduces the amount of people competing for the kitchen sink.

Clear pathsOpen trash bins, cabinets and dishwashers shouldnt block the path from one part of the triangle to another. Help keep the pathways clear by opting for smaller paired doors for cabinetry, rather than larger single doors that can swing out to create obstacle.Your way and the highwayMajor traffic flow shouldn't move through the triangle. Most kitchens double as pass-through from one room of the house to another. Make sure that you preserve a dedicated path that keeps your triangle reserved for cooking.Find your matchFind your floor plan in the additional work triangle examples shown for ideas about how you can dramatically improve your kitchens efficiency. Youll save time, energy and miles of extra steps.

Source: http://www.us.kohler.com/TYPES OF CABINETRY

Types of CabinetryThree Main Types:Getting new cabinets isnt just an opportunity to give your kitchen or bath an updated lookits also your chance to customize your storage, with space for every last dish or towel.Of all the elements of a room remodel, the construction, door style, color, and material of your cabinets will make the strongest visual statement. Theyll also have the most impact on your wallet. Since cabinetry is such a large portion of the average kitchen or bath project budget, understanding all the options is critical. We can help.When it comes to cabinetry, many factors affect your overall price: manufacturer, quality of construction, door material, door style and finish, storage options and accessories, number of cabinets needed, and most importantly - what type of cabinetry you choose to buy.Cabinetry falls into one of three basic types: Custom or Shop Built Cabinetry Semi-Custom Cabinetry Stock or Production Cabinetry

Custom or Shop Built CabinetryLocally built in every region of the country, this cabinet type varies widely in quality. The upside is that these cabinets can match any color and have almost no style or fit limitations. But the downside is that many custom cabinetmakers are unable to provide the latest finishes and accessories, lacking the capital investment in state-of-the-art machinery. The lacquer finishes common to this cabinet grade may have questionable durability or can be more commonly be frequently flawed by trapped dust particles. This is typically the most expensive type of cabinetry.

Semi-Custom CabinetryFlexibility is the name of the game when it comes to semi-custom cabinets. Partly stock and partly custom, you get many more features than stock cabinetry with a shorter lead time than custom. Since construction begins once the order is finalized, the cabinets are somewhat built to suit with a wide selection of doors and finishes. Stock or Production CabinetryThis type invests most of its manufacturing dollar in a good, durable finish. It suffers from a limited number of styles, finishes, accessories, and hardware, and it requires space-wasting fillers to fit. The upside is that the product has an entry-level price point and is usually in stock or available within a few days. It is perfect for investment properties or starter homes.

KITCHEN CABINET TYPES

Face Frame CabinetsFace frame or traditional cabinets are characterized by the frame, or face that masks the raw edges of each cabinet box. Hinges are sometimes visible from the outside. The doors and drawers can be flush fit (they are recessed into the frame of the cabinet), partially inset (doors and drawers are partially inset into the cabinet with a lip on the outer edge), or overlay (doors overlap the face frame.)

Frameless CabinetsFrameless or European cabinets are a good solution when cabinet space is at a premium. These cabinets have a narrow veneer to cover the raw edges of the divider; this means that the opening is 1 -inches wider than a conventional cabinet. Doors and drawers mount directly to the inside of the cabinet and hinges are usually hidden when the doors are closed. Doors and drawers are no more than 1/4-inch apart, so very little of the frame shows.Glass DoorsOpt for glass-doored cabinets to give a lighter and more open feel than cabinets with solid doors would.Raised Panel DoorsRaised panel doors and drawers have decorative panel either routed into a door panel or inserted into the frame of a door.Flat-Panel DoorsFlat-panel doors and drawers are characterized by a simple, unadorned slab.Unique MaterialsYou can create cabinet door inserts using unique materials like louvered panels, hole caning, patterned tin, or wire grating.

KITCHEN LIGHTHING

General LightingGeneral lighting provides overall illumination to a space. Use decorative ceiling fixtures supplemented by recessed lights for style and even light.Natural LightingWindows are a healthy and energy-efficient way to add light to your kitchen. Task LightingDirectional downlighting illuminates your work surface to make your time in the kitchen safer and easier on your eyes.lly, there is a window located above the sink.Accent LightingUse accent lighting to highlight collections and artwork in your kitchen.Under-Cabinet LightingThe counterspace under upper cabinets is often dim without the addition of under-cabinet fixture. There are a variety of hard-wired, plug-in, and battery-operated options available.

8 Popular Cabinet Door Styles for Kitchens of All Kinds

Shaker.The Shaker-style cabinet door is the most common door style in kitchens today. This five-piece flat-panel style has a frame made from four pieces and a single flat center panel for the fifth piece.

Shaker cabinetrygets its name from the distinctive Shaker furniture style, which uses simple, clean lines and emphasizes utility. Shaker-style doors became popular because their simple style lends itself to just about any decor from contemporary to traditional with variations in wood species, stains, paint colors and hardware.

This classic style can work with a variety of budgets, depending on the wood used. Some manufacturers can even replace the center door panel with a more cost-effective material. Using a natural finish rather than a painted one could save you up to 20 percent on your purchase, too.

Louvered.Horizontal wood slats are typically used on windows, furniture pieces and interior doors, but they add a distinct architectural style to kitchen cabinetry. However, be aware that these beauties come with a heavy price tag.

Many louvered doors have spaces between each slat, making them great for cabinets that require ventilation like a cabinet near a radiator, a dedicated clothes drying cabinet in a laundry room or cabinetry for cable boxes and DVD players.

Flat.Simple but stylish, the flat-panel cabinet door is void of any expensive details. Its hard lines and minimalist form make it a great fit for contemporary and modern interiors.

Many flat doors come in decorative laminate or wood. Laminate tends to be more budget friendly and offers a greater variety of colors and sheens.

Inset.Although this style tends to be one of the most expensive on the market, it's a classic look that'll last for generations. The inset door gets its name because it is set inside of the cabinet frame typical cabinet doors rest on the outside of the frame. The door is designed and constructed with extremely precise measurements so that it nests inside the frame and opens and closes properly, even when the wood expands and contracts.

This door style usually requires exposed hinges rather than the typical concealed hinges of other door styles that are included in the cost of the cabinet box. Make sure that your budget takes this into account two hinges per door will quickly add up.

Distressed.If you've always dreamed of having an antique-style kitchen, then you'll love the distressed-looking cabinets available from most manufacturers. Choose any door style and opt to have the corners rubbed off or have other distressing techniques done for that age-old feeling. All this extra work will cost you, though; there's usually a 15 to 20 percent upcharge for a tradesperson to actually destroy your brand-new doors.

Pinto Designs and AssociatesBeadboard.Love cottage style? It doesn't get more cottage chic than beadboard. The center panel of the cabinet doors in this style are made to look like traditional beadboard paneling. Beadboard was used in the past as a decorative wall treatment before plaster, drywall and paint became common.

While all-white beadboard cabinetry can give your kitchen a bright and clean feel, all the little cracks and crevasses on this door style can be a pain to keep clean.

Thermofoil.These doors are molded out of MDF (medium-density fiberboard), wrapped in a plastic-type coating and then baked under intense heat to create an impervious seal. Durable and cost effective, they come only in solid colors and imitation wood grain.

Often mass-produced, thermofoil cabinetry comes at very competitive price points. It's durable, but it's also extremely difficult to repair any damage to it. Some lighter colors can also yellow from sunlight and heat over time.

Custom.Can't find any door style on the market that really complements your unique design intention? Design your own!

Contact a local designer or craftsperson to help you create a personalized design. This Shaker-style cabinet door has a center panel of corrugated metal instead of wood for an industrial and utilitarian look that can stand up to years of abuse.

Source: www.houzz.com

KITCHEN EQUIPMENT