7 Tips to make your kitchen more efficient
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The string study shows that many small trips around the kitchen add up to a significant distance over the course of the day.
The proven method for identifying routes around the kitchen
With the "String study," Blum uses a tried-and-true way to show daily routes around the kitchen. The study involves tying a piece of string to a test subject's leg and using this to track routes and activities in the kitchen. Seven different daily routines were observed in an L-shaped kitchen. The testers also made sure the study mimicked real life, accounting for the influence of other people and things in the kitchen.
The results? On average...
...the test subject covered a distance of more than 865 feet every day, which equates to nearly 60 miles in a year!
...the trash can was opened up to 50 times a day.
...the cabinets were opened up to 80 times a day.
Based on this study, we put together some helpful tips and tricks to make the kitchen layout as efficient as possible to avoid unnecessary steps.
Tip 1: Keep your cooking habits in mind
There are different ways of using a kitchen. Do you usually cook solo, or do several people share the labor? Do you love to bake, or do you have the local takeout restaurant on speed dial?
How the kitchen is used in daily life is key when it comes to kitchen planning and ultimately what the kitchen has to be able to do. Plan enough space in the kitchen so that the main people using it can freely move around without getting in each other's way. This prevents unnecessary sidestepping and backtracking.
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Do you prefer to cook solo or together? The answer impacts your kitchen planning.
Tip 2: Monitor your shopping behavior
Monitor your shopping behavior for a few weeks. Do you like to stock up on ingredients – meaning that you need plenty of storage – or do you have the option of shopping for fresh food virtually every day? How someone shops has an impact on the kitchen design and the needed amount of food storage space. Plan enough pantry space in a convenient location in the kitchen so all ingredients are easy to access when it's time to cook.
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A centrally located SPACE TOWER pantry unit provides plenty of storage space for dry goods. Each individual drawer opens fully, bringing the contents out to you so you can easily reach items in the back.
Tip 3: Group items that belong together
Knives near the cutting board, cutlery near the dishwasher. Think through typical tasks like preparing breakfast and design your kitchen accordingly. Where is the food prep area? Where is the cooktop? You should store items in the area where you intend to use them. This will save time gathering your cooking supplies and reduce the amount of time spent walking around.
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Is everything within easy reach? If you think about which items you need for common kitchen tasks and where you need them, you can plan your kitchen in a way that keeps everything exactly where it's supposed to be.
Tip 4: Plan enough countertop space
The ideal spot for food preparation is between the sink and cooktop to reduce the number of back-and-forth trips. You should plan at least 36 inches of countertop space between the two so you have plenty of workspace.
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The ideal spot for food prep is the countertop area between the sink and cooktop.
Tip 5: Choose the optimal kitchen counter height
The right countertop height is essential when it comes to ergonomic working – anything else can lead to back pain. The main kitchen user should be able to work comfortably and without restrictions. To find the right kitchen counter height, measure the height from the floor to beneath your bent elbow – the height of the countertop area should be 4 to 6 inches below your elbow.
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The ideal kitchen counter height is 4 to 6 inches below the level of your bent elbow.
Tip 6: Future-proof cabinet solutions
The life of a kitchen is up to 20 years. Choosing well-designed cabinets means that you can be sure of easy and convenient work in the kitchen, regardless of changes in your personal needs.
Opt for base cabinets with drawers complete with organization systems such as or .
Choose tall cabinets with individual drawers for storing dry goods – for example the pantry unit from Blum.
Plan wall cabinets with lift systems so the fronts move up and out of the user's way. We recommend products from the .
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AVENTOS lifts ensure the cabinet fronts move up and out of the user's way and close again at the press of a button thanks to the SERVO-DRIVE opening support system.
Tip 7: Select the perfect kitchen shape
Your kitchen shape will depend on the space's limitations. Existing sockets, the room size, doors and windows must all be considered when planning your kitchen. The good news is that every kitchen layout can be optimized for the user's personal needs. In the diagrams below, you can compare the different kitchen shapes and learn about each one's efficiencies.
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The U-shaped kitchen is the most efficient layout because everything is just a few steps away.
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A kitchen with an island is ideal for an open-plan living space. Compared to the U-shape, the distances are between 2% and 8% greater depending on the layout (sink on the island and sink at the back, respectively).
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A G-shaped kitchen is especially well-suited for more generous spaces. With just 6% more distance to cover, it is also highly efficient.
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If you opt for a galley kitchen, the distance increases by 11%. This layout is ideal if there are only two opposing walls available.
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The L-shaped kitchen is the most common design because it can be implemented in almost every room. However, it does mean covering a significantly greater distance than in a U-shaped kitchen (roughly 23% more), making it significantly less efficient.
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The single run kitchen is an economical option that is well-suited for small households. The kitchen appliances are arranged next to each other along one side of the wall. This means a lot of walking back and forth, with users taking 40% more steps on average. This increases the annual distance traveled to more than three marathons!
Good planning is half the battle
By taking a step-by-step approach to determining personal needs and cabinet functionality when planning your kitchen, you'll be able to save a lot of walking in the long run. Talk to your kitchen planner. Tell them as much as you can about your cooking and shopping habits, your preferences and other wishes, so you can make your kitchen more efficient and avoid the kitchen marathon.
Seven more tips to turn your kitchen marathon into a walk in the park:
Drawers with closed sides and high back panels prevent objects from falling down the back of the cabinet.
Mechanical or electrical opening mechanisms are ideal when you've got your hands full.
Drawers with full extension opening guarantee the best possible access to all contents, even items stored at the very back.
The more flexible the organization system, the better! Customizable drawer organizers bring order to every drawer.
Store frequently used items at eye level and within easy reach for accessibility.
Store occasionally used items up high to free up valuable space within ergonomic reach.
Put heavy and bulky items on lower cabinet levels.
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Say goodbye to hurdles and obstacles that hamper your daily route around your kitchen.
At a glance – seven tips to make your kitchen more efficient
Keep your cooking habits in mind: Do you regularly cook from scratch, or do you prefer to get takeout? How many people use the kitchen? Plan your kitchen according to these needs.
Monitor your shopping behavior – do you like to shop weekly and stock up, or do you buy fresh food every day? Depending on your answer, you can plan the right amount of food storage space in your kitchen.
When possible, you should store items in the area where you intend to use them.
Plan a large enough countertop surface – at least 36 inches of workspace for food preparation.
Choose the right kitchen counter height to prevent back pain.
Plan cabinet solutions for the future – ideally, your kitchen should last you 20 years.
Select the right kitchen shape. The U-shape is the most efficient layout when the space allows for it.
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