Importance of planning

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 10

Importance of planning

The preparation of regular family meals, serving and cleaning up takes more time than all the rest of your housework. Yet. the kitchen is often an afterthought in the home, poorly planned, poorly lit and with an unattractive outlook. A well-planned kitchen is convenient, safe and easily cleaned, a pleasant .place to work. aesthetically appealing and efficient. Your kitchen must never be merely a passage to the back door or a link between living and bedroom wings — it must be a separate work area offering good work flow, convenient storage and

benches at a comfortable height. It must have acceptable levels of heat, light. ventilation and noise. Ideally, the kitchen should be sunny and have a pleasant view. It must relate well to the dining and living areas and, where necessary, allow supervision of children. Remember that kitchens facing the east get the morning sun. northerly and westerly aspects are sunnier through the day. An attractive, brightly-coloured window box can enhance a drab outlook. To minimise walking in the kitchen, it should be close to the deep freeze and laundry, with an access door for

supplies from shopping and garden vegetables. The flow of work should be from food storage to preparation, to cooking and serving: arrange equipment and storage with this in view. Your work areas can be combined or each complete in itself. Ensure always that your kitchen work space is not interrupted by doors or passageways, and locate tall cupboards and appliances so that they do not interrupt the flow of work. The working area of your kitchen should be separated from the meal area and other activities.