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In kitchen design, constructing the golden triangle is like choreographing dance moves—the positioning of the three main components: sink, stove, and refrigerator directly determines the fluidity of the entire space. Experienced interior designer Li Min points out that when the perimeter formed by these three points is controlled between 13-26 feet, the ergonomic benefits are optimal. In practice, when the path of getting water-preparing food-cooking forms a natural closed loop, it can reduce about 40% of ineffective movement.
Before taking out your tape measure, it's advisable to first draw up a kitchen diary: record the activity trajectory during peak times. For example, how many steps does it take to go from the refrigerator to the sink for cleaning while making three dishes and a soup on a Wednesday evening? Is the countertop sufficient during weekend baking? Accurate data collection should include dynamic usage scenarios, not just static dimensions.
Modern kitchens have evolved from a simple triangle into five major functional modules:
A typical case I helped transform for Mrs. Wang involved her open kitchen's triangle being too wide apart, making daily operations feel like running a marathon. We designed a movable island to allow the work triangle to morph according to usage scenarios—during breakfast mode, the island is right next to the refrigerator, and during entertaining mode, it moves outward to expand operation space.
Don’t let the walls go to waste! A magnetic knife holder is not only safe but also showcases your collection of knives; adding pull-down baskets beneath wall cabinets makes it easy to access dry goods and spices. In a recent transformation project I did for a young couple, we utilized track systems + modular storage boxes to triple the storage capacity of a 4 square meter small kitchen.
The combination of a folding tabletop and motorized lift cabinets is nothing short of brilliant—just a gentle press during breakfast, and the hidden coffee corner slowly descends; when storing away, it perfectly disappears. This design is especially suited for homeowners who love a minimalist style, maintaining cleanliness while meeting multifunctional needs.
Good storage is not about hiding things away, but giving each item its own stage.
—— Japanese organizer Marie Kondo
In my latest project, I experimented with an RFID label management system: each storage box is labeled with a smart tag, and you can scan it with your phone to check the shelf life or get recipe recommendations. When you are busy at the stove, the voice assistant will remind you: is the olive oil running low and should it automatically place an order?
My recently designed lifting cooking table for a loft apartment is a classic example: during the day, it's a minimalist breakfast bar, and at night, it descends to become a projection screen. The surface conceals electric cookers and lift sockets, perfectly solving the functional conflict in small spaces.
Have you ever faced a tricky case with a narrow hallway of only 80 cm? We customized a flipping cooking table—when collapsed, it serves as decorative art, and when expanded, it transforms into a 1.2-meter workstation. Pairing it with a rotating dining chair instantly unlocks five different usage modes.
When designing a kitchen for a client with anxiety, we used a combination of mint green + natural wood color, paired with an intelligent dimming system that automatically adjusts the color temperature according to sunlight. The client feedback indicated that cooking has now become the most relaxing moment.
The recently installed smart cooking system is stunning: after scanning the ingredients, the refrigerator automatically recommends recipes while the oven preheats to the precise temperature. When the cooking pot gets too hot, the smart stove automatically reduces its heat.
For the forgetful elderly living alone, we implemented a millimeter-wave radar monitoring system: when it detects dry burning of cookware or abnormal smoke, it will not only automatically shut off the gas source but also send a vibration alert to the family through a smart watch.