Probably one of the most recognizable sights in all of North America is the Kitchen or Country Store. These large square, barn-like buildings are ubiquitous in America’s Midwestern and Southeastern states. The Kitchen was designed by the German immigrants to America after they crossed the ocean on ships headed for America. The term “Kitchen” is also used to describe the wooden barns that these immigrants built for their families. One can assume that a Kitchen is similar to an early version of today’s Family Dollar Store, with a wide-screen TV, video gaming machines, and pharmacy.
Typically a Kitchen is set up as two separate rooms separated by a raised cooking section called a “counter.” Typical of this design is a small refrigerator (a module in the center of the counter) with at least one sink positioned in the kitchen facing the door for quick movement between uses. Most Kitchens are fitted with a sink, but not all are, as in this restaurant.
Typically the counter space within a Kitchen is set aside for food preparation and cooking, and has either a raised work surface or cutting surface. (This is opposite the layout of many modern day kitchen counters.) Some Kitchens may have a third cutting board or platen, which provides more surface area and convenient storage for knives or other utensils. In addition, the tops of some Kitchens are finished with a thin layer of wicker or wood to provide a sturdy cutting surface and overall kitchen design.
The most common use of a Kitchen is probably its use as a kitchen sink. Many cooks mistakenly believe that a Kitchen is designed to cook and clean in one fell swoop, and that this style is outdated. This could not be further from the truth! Modern Kitchens are designed to handle a wide variety of tasks and multitasking, including washing and cleaning the sink, dishes, and more.
For many homeowners the galley style of kitchen is the perfect way to organize and utilize kitchen space. The galley layout of a kitchen consists of two main areas, the “work triangle,” located in the center of the kitchen and running from side to side along the center of the room, and the “food prep” area, which can be located anywhere in the kitchen near the sink or any other stable surface. Many kitchen designers recommend placing the food prep unit farther away from the kitchen to reduce cooking time for you and allow you to spend more time actually preparing and cooking. Galley style kitchens are popular for small family style home styles or for apartments with multiple users.
When it comes to organization, the L-shaped layout of Kitchens is the clear leader. The L-shaped configuration makes it easy to get into and out of your kitchen quickly and conveniently. It also provides ample storage options and can provide more cabinet space than any other configuration. The traditional Kitchen is constructed with one wall of the cabinet front and one wall of cabinet sides. This configuration maximizes both vertical and horizontal storage and can create enough cabinet space for virtually any storage need that you may have.