A Guide to the Kitchen Triangle

Last Updated on September 13, 2024

Designing your kitchen using the kitchen triangle rule can make life easier. Not only will it optimise your layout by creating functional areas to cook and clean, but it can also improve the flow in your home.

That intangible flow is what makes your space feel comfortable, and quite often, what gives properties that all-important je ne sais quoi. Also known as the ‘golden triangle’ or the ‘working triangle’, this long-established theory has been used to transform the way we use appliances, and it’s one of the most efficient ways to design a family kitchen.

Whether you love the idea of a traditional working triangle, or you want to incorporate modern features (like a kitchen island or breakfast bar), there are many ways this layout could work for you. Here’s everything you need to know about the golden rule of kitchen design…

The kitchen triangle explained

Within the golden triangle are the three main zones; the washing up zone, the food storage/prep zone, and the cooking zone. In other words, these points are where you will place the following appliances:

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• Sink
• Refrigerator
• Cooker

Each of these appliances should be within a certain distance from each other, creating an efficient triangle shape, allowing you to go back and forth quickly and easily (and without anything obstructing flow and movement). The main purpose of this design rule is to reduce the time it takes to cook and clean, which can make a huge difference for busy households.

Traditionally, this rule doesn’t include features such as a kitchen island, breakfast bar or dining area. But that’s not to say you can’t incorporate them (we’ll share more on this later) and there’s certainly some flexibility on how you can apply this rule in your design concept.

How to apply the triangle

The total perimeter of your kitchen triangle should be no smaller than 3.9 metres and no larger than 7.9 metres. This would mean that the distance between your three main appliances should fall somewhere between 1.2 metres and 2.4 metres. However, the exact measurements will depend on a number of factors, such as the size of your kitchen, the shape and layout, and other appliances that you plan on having.

While it can be easy to get carried away with sticking to the design rule measurements, we often advise customers to choose a placement that works best for the look, feel and flow of their unique space. For instance, if you’re planning on adding a kitchen island, this may impact how large your triangle will be. You may also want to think about the size of walkways depending on whether you want a breakfast bar/dining table.

Benefits of using the golden triangle

The main advantage of the triangle kitchen layout is the efficient use of your main work areas and appliances. The three core functions of your kitchen – especially if you stay within the minimum/maximum measurements – are just a few steps away from one another. Plus, everything should be easy to find and access, which is useful for frequent cooks.

But there are other reasons to consider the triangle layout. Here are some of the other benefits:

• Ideal for small kitchens

The triangle rule helps to create an ergonomic space, where everything you need is organised and within reach.

• Maximise countertop space

In some cases, you will find that the triangle kitchen layout actually gives you more kitchen worktop space to prep and cook on. This is due to the positioning of appliances, adding more available space in between.

• It can improve kitchen hygiene

Another benefit of the golden triangle is the prevention of cross-contamination and unhygienic practices. There’s often a higher germ count by sink areas and food storage/preparation areas, so by separating these zones you can maintain a cleaner, healthier home.

• Better flow of traffic

Not only can the triangle improve the flow of your space, but you’ll be able to minimise traffic and even potential accidents.

Is the golden triangle suitable for all kitchens?

While the working triangle offers an effective solution for dysfunctional kitchens, it may not be the right layout for you. Some people could even consider this concept a little outdated. After all, the kitchen triangle rule dates back to 1940s America, when domestic kitchens were much smaller and single-cook households were commonplace.

Today’s kitchens come in all shapes and sizes, and family kitchens often need to be multifunctional – not just a place to cook and clean. Many modern homes have been designed with open-plan living in mind, with kitchens that double up as diners, play areas, workspaces, and more. Furthermore, there’s usually more than one cook per household, and many families enjoy cooking together or socialising as they prepare food.

For L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens (or kitchens that are very small), the triangle design could work well in bringing everything together. But for galley kitchens and one-wall kitchens, the triangle simply doesn’t fit in the space provided.

If you have an open-plan kitchen, there could be other layouts that work better. Or if your kitchen is large, you may want to consider different ways of zoning to really maximise your space. Ultimately, there are many different factors to weigh up before deciding on how you design your kitchen.

Adding a kitchen island to a working triangle

Islands are a great way of adding even more working space to your kitchen, but due to size and placement, they are also one of the main obstacles in creating the perfect kitchen triangle. That’s not to say that you can’t include an island in your design though…

The main purpose of the golden triangle is to have an open central zone for easy access to/from each appliance. Therefore, you can do one of two things to make a kitchen island a possibility:

1) Shift your triangle

To keep your island central, position the triangle off-centre within the room. Just be sure to think about water inlet and power socket placement during the design and build phase. This could work particularly well for larger kitchens, or big open-plan layouts that are multifunctional.

2) Place your island to one side

There’s no rule to say that kitchen islands have to be in the middle of the room, so get creative about placement. If you are using one side of the island as a breakfast bar, remember to think about the best position for your seating to face. If you’re trying to create a sociable space where you can cook and entertain at the same time, make sure the stools are facing your main workspace.

Consider kitchen work zones instead

Small to medium-sized kitchens normally benefit a lot from the working triangle, particularly if there’s only one cook in the kitchen at any one time. However, some people may find the triangle rule restrictive, especially as kitchens are now used for more than just cooking.

If your kitchen is dual purpose – such as doubling up as a dining space or home office area – you may want to consider ‘work zones’ instead. While the triangle adheres to a strict 3-point layout, work zones allow you to customise the room to your individual needs.

Zones can include food prep, fresh food storage, dry storage, cooking area, breakfast/dining, cleaning and utility – or even things like a wine bar or coffee station. Having dedicated zones will help you stay organised and can also make day-to-day life easier.

If you’re unsure about which design rule or layout to choose for your home, the best thing to do is to think about your kitchen’s most important functions. If you want to create a sociable space with different areas to accommodate your whole family as well as guests, work zones may be the better option for your kitchen concept. 

Let’s get started…

Once you’ve decided on the best way to optimise your space, it’s time to choose the right material for your worktops and island. House of Worktops is here to help you every step of the way. For advice on the best material for your needs, get in touch with our sales team on 01727 617910 – or use our easy online worktop builder to start designing today.