Use the Space You Have
03/01/12 14:15
So you wish your home was laid out better, with traffic flowing more efficiently from one space to another! You think designing a new addition would solve your flow problems. WAIT... maybe you just need to look at the space you have and decide if you can make it work better. How? Try using these three rules: develop a plan, de-clutter, be ruthless.
Develop a plan. Decide what/where the problem is. Find pictures from books and magazines as a “catalog” of ideas for your “new” space. Include photos of your own furniture, rugs, objects, art, etc. (Don’t forget things you have in other rooms that you might use in this space.) Make a drawing of the traffic flow. Look at ways you might redirect the traffic flow. [Something as simple as changing the location of a rug or adding a potted plant might be all it takes to encourage traveling a different path through a room.]
De-clutter. Remove everything from your space. (Rent a POD to store stuff if necessary.) Paint your space a neutral color. Reintroduce your stuff and new items into the space, redirecting traffic according to your plan. Add a few interesting details and accent. Don’t reclutter!
Be ruthless. Repeat: be ruthless! Don’t use something just because you own it. Relocate it to another room, sell it, give it away or toss it if it doesn’t work with your new plan.
Still not sure how to make your space work? Give ADM a call and we can help you visualize changes to traffic flow and de-clutter your room(s).
Develop a plan. Decide what/where the problem is. Find pictures from books and magazines as a “catalog” of ideas for your “new” space. Include photos of your own furniture, rugs, objects, art, etc. (Don’t forget things you have in other rooms that you might use in this space.) Make a drawing of the traffic flow. Look at ways you might redirect the traffic flow. [Something as simple as changing the location of a rug or adding a potted plant might be all it takes to encourage traveling a different path through a room.]
De-clutter. Remove everything from your space. (Rent a POD to store stuff if necessary.) Paint your space a neutral color. Reintroduce your stuff and new items into the space, redirecting traffic according to your plan. Add a few interesting details and accent. Don’t reclutter!
Be ruthless. Repeat: be ruthless! Don’t use something just because you own it. Relocate it to another room, sell it, give it away or toss it if it doesn’t work with your new plan.
Still not sure how to make your space work? Give ADM a call and we can help you visualize changes to traffic flow and de-clutter your room(s).
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Kitchen Planning Guide
17/01/12 15:54
So, you’re ready to renovate your kitchen! Consider these guidelines that we use to plan an efficient working space.
Spacing: You should allow at least 42 inches and no more than 48 inches between cabinets for the work aisle. (Non-work aisles or walkways can be 36 inches.) The distance traveled within a work triangle (range, refrigerator, sink) should be less than 26 feet with no single leg less than four feet or more than nine feet. You should keep pathways between doors outside of the work triangle if at all possible.
Landing Areas: You need to allow for a clear landing space next to the sink and appliances. For the refrigerator, allow a 15-inch landing area on the handle side (or on a counter no more than 48 inches across from the frig). For the cooktop/range, provide a landing area on each side; 12 inches on one side and 15 inches on the other. For the oven(s), provide a 15-inch landing area next to or above the oven (or on a counter no more than 48 inches across from the oven). For the sink, allow a 24-inch landing area on one side and 18 inches on the other side.
Locations: It works best to locate the sink & dishwasher near the cabinet where dishes/glasses will be stored, with the dishwasher within 36 inches of the sink. (Allow 21 inches of standing space next to the dishwasher if cabinets are at a right angle to the dishwasher.) You should include a 36-inch wide primary preparation/work area next to or across from the sink.
Lighting: It’s a good idea to plan for multiple sources of light; recessed or track lighting for the whole room, under-cabinet lights for work areas, and decorative pendant. Rope lighting above the cabinets can make an interesting accent lighting. Use dimmer switches to allow you to vary the lighting levels.
Spacing: You should allow at least 42 inches and no more than 48 inches between cabinets for the work aisle. (Non-work aisles or walkways can be 36 inches.) The distance traveled within a work triangle (range, refrigerator, sink) should be less than 26 feet with no single leg less than four feet or more than nine feet. You should keep pathways between doors outside of the work triangle if at all possible.
Landing Areas: You need to allow for a clear landing space next to the sink and appliances. For the refrigerator, allow a 15-inch landing area on the handle side (or on a counter no more than 48 inches across from the frig). For the cooktop/range, provide a landing area on each side; 12 inches on one side and 15 inches on the other. For the oven(s), provide a 15-inch landing area next to or above the oven (or on a counter no more than 48 inches across from the oven). For the sink, allow a 24-inch landing area on one side and 18 inches on the other side.
Locations: It works best to locate the sink & dishwasher near the cabinet where dishes/glasses will be stored, with the dishwasher within 36 inches of the sink. (Allow 21 inches of standing space next to the dishwasher if cabinets are at a right angle to the dishwasher.) You should include a 36-inch wide primary preparation/work area next to or across from the sink.
Lighting: It’s a good idea to plan for multiple sources of light; recessed or track lighting for the whole room, under-cabinet lights for work areas, and decorative pendant. Rope lighting above the cabinets can make an interesting accent lighting. Use dimmer switches to allow you to vary the lighting levels.
