The kitchen is the most used space in the home. Efficient kitchens need well developed work centers. The work centers should be arranged to reduce the amount of walking in the kitchen to allow the work to flow easily from one center to another. The work area should not be split by traffic. Normally, the largest number of trips during meal preparation occurs between the sink and range top.
Many trips also occur between the mix center and the refrigerator.
Measure the distance between the sink, range, and refrigerator. The total length of the distance between the work centers should not be less than 12 feet nor more than 22 feet. Small-sized appliances are available separately or as a part of a combination unit frequently used in efficiency apartments or in businesses. A 48-inch unit may contain a range and a sink with a dishwasher below. A portable oven also takes up less space than a built-in oven.