Chapter 1: Residential
1.1 BATHROOMS
Activities commonly performed in the bathroom include washing of hands, face, and hair, bathing, elimination, and grooming, and also such activities as hand laundering and infant care. Often it is also used as a dressing room. Major problems in bathroom design include planning for optimum convenience and privacy of all bathroom functions for all members of the household, adequate provision for storage of supplies and equipment, and ease of cleaning. Some of the topics covered under this section are Bathroom Design, Layout & Clearances Guidelines Bathroom design basic concepts Bathroom layout dimensions & measurements for mirror height, shower clearances, bathtub clearances Flooring and ventilation suggestions for bathrooms Lighting recommendations for bathrooms Bathroom safety glass requirements Typical bathroom layouts Bathroom Design Basics A well-designed bathroom is comfortable to use, safe, durable, and easy to clean. Space planning revolves around the main fixtures and their required clearances. Proper clearances are critical to avoid problems such as banged elbows at a sink placed too close to a wall or difficult access to the tub faucet. Bathroom safety concerns should be paramount in design decisions and material choices. For example, choose only nonskid flooring types and select tub and shower controls with foolproof anti-scald protection. Avoid designs with sunken tubs or tub surrounds with steps, both of which are hazards. Lavatories: Sink Clearances, Heights, Measurements Clearances. Locate each sink so its centerline is at least 15 inches from a wall and 30 inches from the centerline of a second sink. The minimum walkway shown in front of the sink may not allow full accessibility (see Figure 6-16). Height. While the standard vanity or sink height is 30 to 32 inches, 34 inches is a better compromise between shorter and taller users. If a bath has more than one vanity, set one at 30 to 34 inches and the other at 34 to 42 inches high.
Mirror Height Specifications for Bathrooms The bottom edge of a mirror over a vanity should be no more than 40 inches above the floor, or 48 inches if the mirror is tilted forward. Shower Dimensions, Clearances & Measurements for Bathrooms Clearances: Allow a minimum 21-inch walkway (30 inches preferred) from the front of the shower stall to a wall or fixture. These clearances may not allow full accessibility. Size: Provide a minimum clear floor space inside the shower stall of 34x34 inches, preferably 36x36 inches or larger. For optimal accessible-bathroom comfort and safety, increase the size to 36x42 inches to 48 inches, which allows space for the user to step out of the stream of water to adjust the temperature (Figure 6-17). Controls. Offset controls toward the outside of the tub so they are accessible from both inside and outside the fixture. Bathtub controls should be no more than 33 inches high. If a handheld showerhead is used, it should be no higher than 48 inches at its lowest position (Figure 6-18).
Toilets and Bidet Layout & Clearances for Bathrooms Clearances. Fifteen inches is the allowable minimum from the centerline of toilets and bidets to a fixture or wall, while 17 to 18 inches will create a more comfortable space (Figure 6-19). Sixteen inches is the minimum for full accessibility as long as there is sufficient transfer space in front or on the side Separate compartment. Compartmental toilet areas should be a minimum of 36x66 inches with a swing-out or pocket door. Toilet paper holder. Locate with the center 26 inches above the floor, about 8 inches forward from the front of the toilet.
Flooring Choices & Suggestions for Bathrooms Make all bathroom flooring slip-resistant. Bathroom Ventilation Suggestions
Provide mechanical ventilation to the exterior. Lighting Suggestions for Baths The vanity area should include both overhead and side lighting. Place side lighting centered at eye level. Where possible, provide natural lighting as well from a window or skylight area equal to at least 10% of the floor area. Glass Safety Requirements in Bathrooms All glass used in a tub or shower enclosure or other glass applications within 18 inches of the floor should be safety glazing, such as laminated glass, tempered glass, or an approved plastic. Typical Bathroom Layouts Bathrooms are divided into three main centers of activity: lavatory/grooming, toilet/bidet, and bathing/showering. In smaller bathrooms, these all share one common space, while in more spacious rooms, the grooming area or toilet area may be separated to allow greater flexibility and privacy for multiple users. Larger spaces also allow for greater storage, such as a linen closet, within the bathroom space. Typical bathroom layouts with minimum dimensions for comfortable use are shown in Figure 620.
1.2 KITCHEN
Kitchen Design & Layout Guidelines: best practices List of types of work centers in kitchens Space and clearance requirements for kitchen work centers & activities: dishwasher, sink, food prep, recycling, cooktop, oven landing area, microwave, refrigerator work areas. Clearances for kitchen walkways, work aisles Kitchen cabinet frontage recommendations Layout of the kitchen work triangle, two-cook kitchen layout Kitchen counter size, layout specifications Kitchen lighting, natural Kitchen layout examples, typical Sketch for single wall kitchen Sketch for galley kitchen Sketches for L-shaped kitchens Sketch for U-shaped Kitchen
This part explains the basic principles of kitchen layout and design, including the layout and clearances for different types of kitchen activities or work centers, and kitchen layouts for one and two-cook kitchens. This part discusses current best design practices for kitchens and bathrooms, including layout, clearances, work space, and accessible kitchen and bathroom layout, clearances, turning space, grab bars, controls, etc. Kitchen Design Basics Whether designing a small galley kitchen or an expansive space for multiple cooks and entertaining, the same rules apply regarding clearances and relationships between key work centers so that work in the kitchen flows smoothly and efficiently. While the traditional kitchen developed around three main appliancesthe sink, range, and refrigeratortodays kitchen may have many more centers of activity, including the following list adapted from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)
Primary clean-up center: Includes the main sink, dishwasher, recycling center, and waste disposer. Secondary sink center: May also serve cleanup functions. Often associated with the food preparation center. Food preparation center: A clear space at least 16x36 inches typically located between the sink and cooktop or sink and refrigerator. A two-cook kitchen requires two such spaces.
Cooking center: Revolves around the cooktop and may also include a separate built-in oven or microwave. Microwave center: Because of its frequent use, this should be near the main activity areas. Pantry center: Tall storage cabinets work well to store food and cooking supplies near the preparation area. Tall cabinets may also store dishes in the serving or dining area. Serving center: This area stores dishes and other serving items and may be in the kitchen or closer to the dining area. Dining center: Many kitchens include either an eating counter or a separate dining area. Socializing center: A casual seating area adjacent to the kitchen work space allows other family members or friends to visit and socialize with the cook. Home office center: A space for the telephone, mail, household records, and cookbooks is often incorporated into the kitchen. Concealing the desktop visually from the kitchen is appreciated by many clients.
Kitchen Walkways and Kitchen Work Aisles Kitchen work aisles with counters or appliances on both sides should be at least 42 inches wide for a one-cook kitchen and 48 inches wide for a two-cook kitchen. Walkways in kitchens, which may have a work counter on one side, should be at least 36 inches wide and should not cross the work triangle (see Figure 6-1).
Kitchen
Work Triangle Specifications The shortest walking distance between the refrigerator, primary sink, and primary cooktop should be 26 feet or less, as shown in Figure 6-1 above. Each leg of the triangle should range from 4 to 9 feet long. No major walkway should pass though the triangle, and no corner of an island or peninsula should intersect the triangle by more than 12 inches. Two-Cook Kitchen Work Triangles In a two-cook kitchen, each person should have his or her own work triangle of less than 26 feet. The two kitchen work triangles may share a leg, but they should not cross one another (Figure 62).
Conflicting Kitchen Entry, Appliance, Cabinet Doors All entry doors, appliance doors, and cabinet doors should swing freely without interfering with another door. Provide the minimum cabinet frontage shown in Table 6-1 at left. Do not count difficult-to-reach wall cabinets over hoods or refrigerators unless special access is provided. A pie-cut lazy Susan base counts as 30 inches. Tall cabinets 72 inches or higher can count as either base or wall cabinets as follows: for 12inch-deep cabinets, multiply frontage by one to count as base cabinets and by 2 to count as wall cabinets. Double these amounts for 21- to 24-inch-deep tall cabinets.
Kitchen Counter Heights and Edge Specifications Provide at least two counter heights in the kitchen with one 28 to 36 inches high and the other 36 to 45 inches high. Varied heights create work spaces for various tasks and for cooks of different heights, including seated cooks. Also, clip or round over countertop corners and edges to eliminate sharp edges. Dishwasher Work Center Location
Locate the dishwasher within 36 inches of the sink and allow at least 21 inches of clearance between the dishwasher and any counters, cabinets, or appliances placed at a right angle to the dishwasher. If possible, allow 30 inches of clear floor space on each side of the dishwasher so two people can work at the same time (Figure 6-3).
Kitchen Sink Work Center Location Locate the primary sink between or across from the cooking surface, food preparation area, or refrigerator (Figure 6-4). Counter space: Allow 24 inches on one side of the sink and 18 inches on the other. If the sink is within 3 to 18 inches of a corner, provide at least 21 inches of additional space on the return counter. Cabinet space: Provide at least 60 inches of wall cabinet frontage within 72 inches of the primary sink centerline. Alternate: Use one tall cabinet within 72 inches of the sink. Floor space: A 30x48inch floor space centered in front of the sink will make it wheelchair accessible. Secondary Sinks. Provide a minimum of 3 inches of countertop frontage on one side of a secondary sink and at least 18 inches on the other side.
Food Preparation Area Specifications Provide 36 inches of continuous countertop, at least 16 inches deep, immediately adjacent to a sink.
For a two-cook kitchen, provide either two separate 36-inch spaces or one 72-inch space adjacent to a sink (see Figure 6-5).
Recycling Center Area Specifications for Kitchens Unless provided elsewhere in the plan, provide at least two waste receptacles in the kitchen, one for garbage and one for recyclables. Cooktop Work Center Design Specifications Counter space: Provide 15 inches on one side of the cooktop and 9 inches on the other. Or if placed against an end wall, leave at least 3 inches of clearance to the wall and cover it with a flame-retardant material. Where there is no backsplash, as in an island or peninsula, provide a minimum of 9 inches behind the cooktop for safety reasons (Figure 6-6). Clearances: Allow at least 24 inches of clearance between a cooking surface and a protected surface above, such as a range hood, or 30 inches to an unprotected surface. Ventilation: Ventilate all major appliance cooking surfaces with a minimum 150 cfm exhaust fan. Gas appliances must vent to the exterior.
Oven Landing Space Needed in Kitchens Provide at least 15 inches of landing space, a minimum of 16 inches deep, next to or above the oven. If the oven does not open into a traffic area, the landing space can be directly across from the oven by no more than 48 inches. Microwave Work Center Measurements Locate stand-alone microwave ovens so that the bottom of the appliance is 24 to 48 inches above the floor. Provide at
least 15 inches of landing space, a minimum of 16 inches deep above, below, or to the side of the microwave oven. Refrigerator Work Center Specifications Provide at least 15 inches of counter space as a landing area adjacent to the handle side of the refrigerator or on both sides of a sideby- side refrigerator. Alternately, provide 15 inches of countertop directly across from the refrigerator and no more than 48 inches away. With a side-by-side unit, provide easy access to a counter from the fresh food side (Figure 6-7).
Overlapping Work Centers Where countertop areas of two work centers (e.g., sink, refrigerator, food preparation) overlap, the minimum counter frontage between the centers should equal the longest of the required two lengths plus 12 inches. Tall Cabinets Between Work Centers Do not separate two primary work centers (primary sink, refrigerator, preparation area, or cooking center) by a full-height, fulldepth tower such as an oven cabinet, pantry cabinet, or refrigerator. One exception is a corner-recessed tall tower if knee space is planned to one side. Kitchen Eating Area Design Specifications Eating counter heights. Heights and capacities for tables, eating counters, and bars are shown in Figure 6-8. Seating widths have been increased to 30 inches in the 30-inch-high seating area to accommodate wheelchairs.
Clearances to walls. Allow a minimum clearance of 36 inches from the edge of a counter or table to a wall or obstruction. Increase this to 65 inches if the space also serves as a walkway (Figure 6-9).
Table sizes. Many kitchens feature small or full-size dining tables (Table 6-1). When selecting a table, pay close attention to whether leg placement will interfere with the number of chairs planned.
Kitchen Wiring for Use of Electrical Devices Install ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) on all receptacles within the kitchen. Locate wall-mounted room controls, including electrical receptacles, switches, thermostats, telephones, and intercoms, between 15 to 48 inches above the finished floor. Home Kitchen Fire Protection Advice A fire extinguisher should be visibly located in the kitchen away from cooking equipment and 15 to 48 inches above the floor. Smoke alarms should be installed near the kitchen. Natural Lighting for Kitchens The combined area of windows and skylights should equal at least 10% of the square footage of the kitchen. Also, every work surface should be well illuminated by appropriate task or general lighting. Typical Kitchen Layouts Kitchen plans should follow the work flow from the garage or side entrance where food enters the home to the storage area or refrigerator. From there, work typically flows to the sink and food prep area, then on to the cooktop or oven, and eating area. Finally, dishes move back to the sink and dishwasher for clean up. All kitchens from the simplest to most complex should be designed to smoothly accommodate this basic workflow (see Figure 6-10).
Single-Wall Kitchen Layout The simplest kitchen plan is designed for one cook and primarily used in small apartments. If the kitchen has a second wall, use it for storage with pegboards or shelving narrow enough to leave adequate clearance. Galley Kitchen Layout A corridor or galley-style kitchen can provide an efficient layout for a single cook. If household traffic must regularly pass through, provide at least 48 inches of clearance between counters. L-Shaped Kitchen Design Layout This layout provides adequate counter space and creates an efficient work triangle away from the household traffic flow. The large open space can often accommodate a dining area. U-Shaped Kitchen Plan Many designers consider this the most efficient plan, since the cook is surrounded on three sides by countertop, work centers, and storage areas. Also, household traffic is naturally directed around the work area, keeping it clear for kitchen tasks. L-Shaped Kitchen Layout with Island This combines the compact efficiency of a U-shaped plan with the benefits of a more open plan. The island invites interaction between the cook and visitors or helpers because more than one person can work at the open counter.
