The magic triangle may sound like a bit of an airy fairy idea in terms of kitchen design. However, research proves that it does make the room function more easily. It also ensures everything is accessible, even when full of various family members. Here, we discuss the magic triangle along with other design advice to help you redesign or rearrange your kitchen to make it a more usable space.

So, to start with, if you’re unfamiliar, the magic triangle refers to the distance between the fridge, sink and cooker/hob. If your kitchen is designed properly, it will function like clockwork whatever other alterations are made. They also advise there is at least 1.2m space between units that face each other. This will enable you to open them and get inside easily. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends 24 inches of counter top on one side of the sink, and another 18 inches on the other. So consider this in your redesign.

The concept of the magic triangle is to make the kitchen more ergonomic and user friendly. This will hopefully mean you want to spend more time in there. If your kitchen space is limited then our other post with advice on how to maximise the space might be worth a read. Let us know if you try any of the advice and what you think of the results.

Obviously, the more gadgets and appliances you want in your kitchen the more complicated the redesign. Try to prioritise what you will realistically use and also products that have multiple uses.

In addition to where in the room you choose to place your work surfaces, appliances and seating area you need to give the lighting and orientation some serious thought. If you are lucky enough to have several windows to work with then that’s great, as you could choose for your kitchen to face a different direction. If you don’t have that luxury why not build in some patio doors?

There are different kinds of lighting available, whether you are making a few small changes or a complete overhaul. Designers suggest a mixture of decorative, task and ambient light in a kitchen. This will allow you to play around with different styles and positions. For reading areas, floor-standing lamps provide enough light to read but nothing too harsh. For a food preparation area, two or three spot lights fitted with a dimmer will give plenty of light. This will help provide a softer glow when enjoying your meal.

If you are going to redesign your kitchen without help from an expert, perhaps check out some online blogs or interior magazines. One thing is for sure: they all include the magic triangle.