NKBA Guidelines and Your Kitchen

The guidelines set out by the National Kitchen and Bath Association for kitchen design may have crossed your mind if you are creating or renovating a kitchen. While these are helpful for creating kitchens that are open and easy to use, it's important to remember that the NKBA guidelines are just that: guidelines.

NKBA Guidelines Concerning Clearance

While the NKBA guidelines recommend a minimum 32" width in the entryway, you should shoot for a higher clearance if possible. A 42" clearance should be ample space for what one of the resident Furniture Decorators calls a "two-butt" kitchen. As an added bonus, a walkway this wide will allow access to wheelchairs. This feature is attractive to home-buyers and those who wish to build homes designed to age.

NKBA Guidelines Concerning Placement

The NKBA guidelines also make reference to something called the work triangle. They are very specific about how close or far each facet of your kitchen (cooking, cleaning, and food storage) should be from each other. Any kitchen designer will tell you that the work triangle is ideal, but largely doesn't work. NKBA guidelines don't know the shape of your kitchen, the placement of your waterlines, or the shape and size of your island.

NKBA Guidelines Concerning Corner Storage

The NKBA guidelines are very specific to the way corner storage is to be used in your kitchen. Often times, corner storage comes at the expense of a smaller sink or refrigerator. Unless there is no other place to store infrequently used pots and pans, we'd advise you to invest the space in your appliances. Let us know about any decisions you've made in your renovation in the comments below!