| Kitchens are one of the most important rooms in | | | | Even people who do not cook at home need to |
| a home. Families congregate and friends socialize | | | | clean up after themselves. There should be two |
| there. The kids might do their homework at the | | | | to three feet of countertop on either side of the |
| breakfast bar while mom or dad makes dinner. | | | | sink, particularly if you want to install a dishwasher. |
| You will spend a lot of time in your kitchen and | | | | Stoves should preferably be on an outside wall for |
| want it to be functional as well as good looking. | | | | ventilation. Few things are as annoying as |
| Each kitchen has three main areas and functions. | | | | accidently setting off the smoke alarm while you |
| The first is food storage. Your luxury log home | | | | are cooking if you do not have adequate |
| plans might have a separate pantry space, but | | | | ventilation. The fridge should have enough room |
| storage also includes kitchen cabinets and your | | | | to easily open the doors without blocking the |
| refrigerator. The second area is for cooking. The | | | | kitchen's walkways. |
| most important piece here is the stove with a | | | | Cabinets can be installed around all three sides of |
| cook top and oven. You might consider a | | | | the U. If your raised ranch house plans allow for |
| microwave set over the range. The third area is | | | | longer sides, you can turn one side of the U into |
| for cleaning and food preparation. This is where | | | | seating space or a bar. While the U allows for lots |
| you have a sink and countertop. You want | | | | of storage space, the corner cabinets might not |
| enough counter space to be able to prepare food | | | | be very useful. Even with sliding racks or lazy |
| and still have room for any appliances you want | | | | susans, it is difficult to access those cabinets. |
| to leave out. Combined, these areas make up the | | | | Depending on size, a U-shaped kitchen can get |
| kitchen work triangle. An efficient arrangement of | | | | claustrophobic. This is especially true if you add an |
| these areas makes for easy cooking. | | | | island to the center of the U for extra cabinet |
| A U-shaped kitchen spreads the three areas over | | | | and counter space. Heavy cabinetry can create a |
| three sides. It can fit into small country house | | | | closed in feeling. If you are building or remodeling |
| plans or larger houses. The center wall of the U is | | | | your kitchen, you might want to talk to a |
| usually ten to eighteen feet long while the two | | | | professional about the best way to use the space |
| legs can be most any length. The sink should be | | | | without overfilling it. |
| easily accessible since it is most frequently used. | | | | |