Page 21 - Designing Ways 267
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G-Shaped Kitchen                                   U-Shaped Kitchen



























           in one zone, that it does not inhibit the   special considerations will affect the   to your lifestyle, will influence your
           use of the kitchen by others. We would   layout,  design  and  hardware  your   design and layout choices.
           recommend that the distance between   select.
           the two counters be a minimum of 1,2m   •   Give good thought beforehand to   On the whole, a successful layout will
           to ensure space for an oven/refrigerator   what elements your kitchen layout   give you optimal workspace.  This is
           door to be open and for a person to still   needs to incorporate – an eating   best achieved by placing tall units, like
           get past. It is advised that the sink and the   area, an entertainment area, a view,   pantries, outside of the triangle and at
           hob are kept close and the fridge is pushed   open-plan harmony with another   the end of a bank of cupboards.  Ideally,
           to the very edge of the triangle and at the   room, a work or office space.  a  good  layout will  give  you  adequate
           end of the run of cupboards.       •   What storage needs does the   prep space between the sink and the
                                                 space  have  to  cater for  - Look at   hob.
           The L shaped kitchen layout:          your  small  appliances  that  need   What all  the above tells us, is how
             Here you must have two zones or     special access storage  like  mixers   important pre-planning is.  You, as
           elements of the work triangle on the   or breadmakers. Do you have large   the homeowner, need to have done
           same run of kitchen units and the triangle   platters for entertaining, a warming   some homework before you chat to the
           becomes elongated.                    tray or baking equipment that need   kitchen designer so that they have all
             Splitting your kitchen up into clear   unusual sized storage?  Do you have   the information they need to suggest
           ‘zones’ will help you to plan for your   a lot of silver or glasswear that you   the optimum layout and design for your
           storage/prep/cooking needs adequately   would like to have displayed? Do you   lifestyle and your needs.
           and efficiently.                      have pets and want special storge for
             No matter which of these layouts your   their food?  All these aspects, unique   www.ksa.co.za
           home facilitates, there are certain design
           basics you need to keep in mind when      L-Shaped Kitchen
           planning the kitchen with your kitchen
           designer:
           •   What is the average height of those
               who  will  be using  the  kitchen – if
               anyone in the family is very tall or
               very short, allowances for this will
               need to be considered in the height
               of the countertops, the eye level
               cabinets and the extractor.  You
               may need to add lift systems to top
               units so a shorter person can access
               them, or you may need to raise the
               countertop height so that a very tall
               person does not strain their back.
               Any special needs the user may have
               need to be considered.  Are they in a
               wheelchair?  Do they have arthritis,
               or other physical hindrances? These





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