The kitchen is one of the busiest parts any of any home. Leave it cluttered and it may disrupt your tasks and slow you down. It’s important to maintain cleanliness and organization in your kitchen to achieve maximum efficiency.
Here are some tips to make your kitchen more efficient.
The work triangle principle
The principle of the “kitchen triangle” dates back to the 1920s. Psychologist Lillian Moller Gilbreth came up with a way to minimize the number of steps needed to complete common kitchen tasks.
In this model, the kitchen’s three main work areas, the stove, sink and refrigerator, are arranged to form the three vertices of a triangle. Each segment should be between four and nine feet. The perimeter of the triangle should not be greater than 26 feet, with a distance of 5.5 feet in between the appliances.
The segments of the triangle represent the kitchen’s traffic flow, creating a rotational movement between cooking (stove), washing (sink) and storing (refrigerator).
Now, try to evaluate the current arrangement of your kitchen, and if this model fits your kitchen’s needs, then you can give it a go. If you need help with your kitchen’s design, get ideas from experts at Total Home Remodelling.
Divide your kitchen into zones
Every part of the kitchen must have a purpose. Now, divide your kitchen into five sections and assign each part a specific role.
- Cleaning station – You’ll do all the cleaning in this area. This area will include the sink and the dishwasher.
- Preparation station – You’ll do the majority of the food preparation in this area. This area should have storage for the chopping board, knives, spice racks and mixing bowls.
- Cooking station – The cooking and baking will take place here. Your stove and oven will be here.
- Food storage station – This is where all perishables will be stored. This area will include your refrigerator and freezer.
- Non-food storage station – This is where containers and seldom-used appliances will be stored. Cabinets and other storage spaces will make up this area.
In order to be efficient, make sure that every kitchen tool is in its proper station so it’s easy to locate everything. Likewise, make sure to do each task at its designated station to minimize clutter.
Move favorites to the front
Are you a big fan of cinnamon in your coffee? Does your child need his milk every now and then?
It will make your trip to the kitchen faster if you make frequently used items more easily accessible. When you arrange your cabinet, your everyday dinnerware should be placed within arms’ reach. Specialty plates and glasses used for special occasions should be placed at the back.
Declutter regularly
Decluttering isn’t just for cleanliness. A 2016 study found out that a cluttered kitchen can nudge people to overeat unhealthy food.
Cornell University’s Brian Wansink and his colleagues took a look at the relationship between a cluttered kitchen and a person’s urge to eat. They placed 100 women in two kitchens – one tidy and the other one messy. In the kitchens, there were carrots, cookies and crackers that they can eat freely. The study found that women in the cluttered kitchen tended to consume more cookies compared to the women in the tidy kitchen. This suggests that a messy environment can impact a person’s intake of sweet foods.
These are just several ways you can make your kitchen more efficient. Focus on a kitchen space that saves you time and effort. Evaluate what your kitchen’s needs will be and make the proper adjustments – it can make a world of difference.
