One of the most exciting renovations a homeowner will ever do is a kitchen remodel. And one of the big reasons is that, unlike bathrooms or living rooms, there are more accessory parts like cabinets, countertops, backsplashes and windows. But one of the biggest expenses can be the appliances.

Appliances are the "sharp end" of the kitchen. These powered devices are where the majority of concerns surrounding food preparation are centered. Food is preserved in refrigerators; cooked on stove tops, in ovens and in microwave ovens; and dishes are washed in a dish washing machine. Overhead there are ventilators to clear the air. And these are just the ones that are installed. There are many more, like mixmasters and specialized coffee machines, which come out at the appropriate time of use. But as important as these tools of the kitchen may be many homeowners plan more for the look of the kitchen than the functions and placement of the appliances.

Working Triangle

One of the most important principles of a working kitchen is to have the "workhorse appliances" - the fridge, stove and sink- into areas where they can be easily accessible with the least amount of steps. This "work triangle" means that there will be the shortest distance between the primary areas where food preparation is carried out. This means less steps and less expended energy trying to coordinate three areas, two of which may be 15 feet apart.

Leg Rule: This is where the experts come in. They recommend that the legs of this triangle should not add up to more than no more than 26 feet and no single path be longer than 9 feet or shorter than 4 feet. Kitchen islands and peninsulas should not bulge into the triangle by more than 1 foot.

Sink Rule: If there is only one sink in the kitchen it should be placed between or across from the preparation area, stove or refrigerator.

Two Cook Rule: If there are two cooks working in the kitchen then 2 work triangles should be be the norm and 1 leg can be shared by both.

Sink Counter Space: There should be a minimum 24" on one side and 18" on the other.

Dishwasher: Make sure it is within 3 feet of the sink.

Food Preparation: Leave at least 3 feet.

Zoning

Some designers also feel that "zoning" is a good way to place appliances. This is where specific tasks get their own specified area for operations and, therefore, have their own appliance- base.

Wet Zone: This, of course, would include the sink and dishwasher but it would also take in the accessories and cabinets designated for these extras. On one side would be dishwashing liquids, cleaners, abrasives, cleaning utensils and on the other there would be coffeemakers and blenders.

Dry Zone: This would be the food preparation area and would have the longest countertop next to the refrigerator. The support cabinets would include the pantry, dry cereal storage and snack items.

Hot Zone: This area, of course, would be anchored around the cooktop stove and oven or ovens. The pots and pans may be displayed or tucked away in cabinets within the zone for easy access.

Fit and Focus

The most important item in choosing your appliances is their dimensions. In other words, "Will they fit?" Because if you have your heart set on a large, double door, built-in refrigerator you better have the room, not only for the size but for those big swinging doors. This is where a kitchen designer comes in. You can pick the appliances you want but your kitchen designer will tell you if they will fit or what you have to sacrifice to fit them in.

Floor Strength

This is another concern which should be addressed. If you have a new home then the designers have calculated the stress on the floor and have braced it accordingly. However, renovating a 1960's kitchen, where the countertops were formica and the cabinets were light plywood, might require a look at the support systems downstairs. (If you are on a slab this is not that critical) The good news is that, in most cases, the floors are fine because appliances back then were heavier than they are now. But it never hurts to get your contractor or designer to check this out.

For more information on appliance installation contact Renovation Experts.