The kitchen is the most important place in any home! It, like a magnet, attracts household members, reflects the habits, character traits, and material well-being of its owners. This is where you can escape from pressing problems and gather the whole family around the big table.
It is very important not only to equip this room, but also to plan it correctly. The main criteria that should be followed when organizing a kitchen space are convenience and versatility. When planning a kitchen, the main thing is to rationally distribute every centimeter so that while cooking you don’t have to bend over or reach for something. That’s why when buying kitchen furniture you should take into account not only the material and color scheme, but also its dimensions.
There is no specific answer to the question of what the acceptable height of a kitchen set should be. There are kitchens made both according to the dimensions indicated in GOST, and models whose dimensions are selected individually. Let's find out what the Antares store specialists think about this.
How tall are kitchens made?
Before ordering furniture for the kitchen, it is important to consider the size and design features of the room. Companies that manufacture furniture most often focus on statistics and produce kitchen sets of standard dimensions. Based on this, the level of the tabletop ranges from 860-900 mm. For people with a height of 158 cm to 172 cm, this is quite enough.
If the height of the owners differs significantly, they think about an individual project. Then the furniture is made taking into account the client’s wishes and fits into non-standard or small-sized rooms.
To make it easy and pleasant to work at the work surface, its height should be slightly below waist level. The dimensions of kitchen furniture are determined taking into account the height of the person who usually prepares food for the family. It is not difficult to calculate the optimal countertop height in the kitchen:
- you need to stand with your back straight;
- bend your arm at the elbow;
- the acceptable height of the working plane will be 3-4 cm below the elbow;
- It is advisable to place the hob 5-6 cm below the elbow so that splashes of hot oil do not get directly into the face;
- For working with dough and kneading products, it is better to choose low-level surfaces. Because during these processes you need to apply physical force, it will be easier to do this if the movements are directed from top to bottom.
Multi-level furniture in the kitchen set
In addition to the standard design of a set with a tabletop on one level, there are other, atypical options. At first glance, this may seem unusual, but thanks to a carefully thought-out layout, such options can be even more convenient than standard ones.
The design principle of a multi-level countertop is aimed at easing the load on the back while cooking. There are three levels for wellness:
- The work surface and sink should be slightly raised above the standard level, approximately 1000 mm from the floor. During the cooking process, the spine will not be under such tension as if it were necessary to bend over the working plane. In addition, a high tabletop will allow you to rest your bent elbows on it, providing additional relief to your back and legs.
- If cooking requires a lot of physical effort, for example, kneading dough, then the level of the countertop can be raised a little more.
- The hob area should be below the standard level, ideally 800 mm. This is convenient and safe when you need to remove or place a heavy pot, frying pan or other container on the stove.
Multi-level sets are quite difficult to find ready-made in furniture stores. It is best to make such options to order. Then all the nuances can be selected in accordance with the needs of the owners and the characteristics of the room.
Work surface with different levels
Consumers are increasingly choosing multi-level countertops. It is not only beautiful and convenient, but also very practical:
- during long cooking, the housewife does not feel tired, since the muscles of the buttocks, arms, and back experience insignificant tension;
- the working surface is divided into several functional zones, which greatly simplifies cleaning;
- You can harmoniously and practically play around with a non-standard shaped room, increasing the usable space, integrating surfaces into niches or free corners, behind which it is convenient and comfortable to work.
The upper tier is positioned so that you can reach the second shelf without standing on your toes. It is important to take into account the distance from the lower tier to the cabinets located above. It should be at least 450 mm, which will allow you to arrange household appliances and kitchen appliances with utmost convenience. The acceptable distance between the floor and hanging tiers is 550-600 mm, taking into account the fact that the kitchen will be used by people of average height.
Standard and non-standard sizes of corner furniture
In corner and U-shaped kitchens, corner floor and wall-mounted modules appear. Their parameters can also be standard or not.
Typical sizes are:
- the width of the walls adjacent to the kitchen walls is 60 cm;
- the width of the side elements adjacent to other elements of the set is 30 cm for wall-mounted ones and 45–55 for floor-mounted ones;
- façade width – 38 cm;
- height from the floor is 85–90 cm, but in a multi-level set it depends on what role it plays. Usually this is a sink - 95–100 cm.
In principle, the width of the walls adjacent to the walls may not be the same. But such options are rarely implemented: the internal space of the corner modules is not fully used due to the great depth, and even more so with an asymmetrical structure.
What height should I make cabinets in the kitchen?
It is impossible to imagine a kitchen set without wall cabinets. They are convenient for storing dishes, cans of cereals, and other accessories and devices. The load on the upper modules is large; you not only need to ensure reliable fastening, but also figure out at what height to hang the furniture.
Specialists at the Antares store advise installing cabinets in such a way that their top edge is no more than 250 mm higher than a person’s height:
- for people about 175 cm tall, the lower shelves of the cabinet are located at a level of 1 m 50 cm from the floor;
- tall people will be comfortable using cabinets located at a height of 1 m 80 cm.
If you do not follow these rules, then you will only be able to reach the top shelves with the help of a stool. It is important to take into account not only the height, but also the age of the people who will use the kitchen set. For an elderly person, it is better to choose wall cabinets of medium height; they are also not hung high, then there will be no need to climb a ladder or stepladder, which can cause injuries.
Since the shelves located at the top are difficult to reach, they are not used often. This space is best used for storing light items.
Before determining the level for the furniture canopy, it is advisable to take into account the following nuances:
- the height of all people living in the apartment;
- height of suspended modules;
- the distance between the tabletop and the top tier;
- ceiling height;
- filling of hanging modules.
If the cabinets are placed at eye level, this will allow you to reach the desired shelf without making significant effort. It is also important to consider the location of ventilation ducts; furniture should not block access to them.
The standard height of wall cabinets is 70-90 cm. This parameter determines how functional the kitchen furniture will be. When designing a kitchen, we take into account what will be stored in the upper tier. Often, small kitchens have tall cabinets to provide more additional shelves for storage. However, you need to ensure that there is no visual overload. Too tall cabinets will make the kitchen cramped and less cozy.
A kitchen set with an upper tier reaching to the ceiling is not installed in rooms whose height is higher than 3 m. Such a design will look unnatural, and it is almost impossible to use the shelves located at the top without the help of a stepladder.
It is customary to leave 30-40 cm of free space above the hanging modules. This is done not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for practical purposes. This gap is used for air ducting, as well as to get rid of clutter and hide annoying wires (for example, from a range hood).
In those areas where large household appliances are located, the height of the cabinets may be smaller, but not less than 36-40 cm. At the request of the customer, the height of the upper tier is increased, sometimes it can reach up to 120 cm. The most important thing is that the housewife can freely reach to the bottom edge of the upper modules.
Kitchen measurements
Before you go shopping for a new headset, you need to take measurements of the existing room. Usually, when ordering furniture in a salon, such work is performed by a specialist; by the way, additional payment may be required. This is necessary if the room has a complex structure, with many niches, projections and other features. Then it is better to use the services of a professional and rest assured that no problems will arise during subsequent installation.
But if the kitchen is of a simple shape, then you can easily take the measurements yourself. Here you will need a tape measure and a sheet of paper. First of all, you should find out the distance from the floor to the ceiling and mark it on the drawing. It is also necessary to find out the width of the walls along which you plan to install the kitchen unit.
We must not forget about windows, doors and other openings and protrusions, which should be noted on the plan indicating the dimensions, as well as the direction of the doors and sashes when opening.
The last step should be to mark on the drawing all sockets, ventilation, switches, plumbing and other details. If, when designing a new kitchen, you plan to place electrical sockets and switches differently, then it is better to take care of this in advance and redo them before purchasing the set. It is best to install sockets for built-in household appliances and refrigerators at a distance of 100 mm from the floor. At the same time, it is more convenient to place them slightly away from the equipment, for example, behind a nearby cabinet. Sockets located in the apron area should be installed at a height of 900-920 mm from the floor.
Having in hand a detailed drawing indicating the dimensions and placement of sockets, switches and other parts, you can easily determine the most convenient layout of kitchen furniture. And also choose which set will be appropriate - standard or multi-level.
What to do with built-in appliances
It is not recommended to install household appliances inside wall cabinets, so their depth is approximately half that of the lower tier. If, however, a decision is made to hide a microwave or oven inside the module, then the depth of the cabinets should be at least 40 cm. Under this condition, the appliances can be used without difficulty. In order for the equipment to cool faster and to avoid a fire hazard, the back wall of the cabinet is removed.
Sometimes the hood has to be built into a wall-mounted module, then you need to take into account the type of connection of the stove. If it is an electric oven, the hood is placed at a distance of 70-75 cm and 75-80 cm - in the case when a gas hob is used.
In order for the kitchen set to look like a single whole, the width of the fronts of the top and bottom rows must match. There is no need to make the facade too wide, because when opened it will take up a lot of space. The standard width of the facade of one kitchen door is 30-50 cm, two – 60-100 cm.
Table top shape
This is a factor that determines the convenience of its location in the kitchen space, depending on the number of people sitting at it. The optimal shape is rectangular. The fact is that a table of this configuration can be positioned in different ways. The number of people sitting for it will depend on this.
For example, 150x90 cm, which is not installed against the wall. It can seat 6 people. If you place it against the wall with a long end, then the number of people is reduced by two, and 4 people sit at the table. Installed with a short end - they accommodated 5 people.
At the same time, the sizes of rectangular tables vary almost indefinitely. But there are also standard sizes:
- 150x90 cm, which can accommodate from four to six people.
- 200x110 cm with seating for 8 people, with a reduced number when installed near a wall.
- 260x110 cm – up to 10 people.
- 320x110 cm – designed for 12 people or less.
It is also necessary to take into account the distances between the walls and the table, between the kitchen unit and the edges of the countertop. There is only one indicator – at least one meter. But what to do with small kitchens, because they don’t have much space? Would a rectangular table look good in them? It all depends on how to arrange the set, the dining table itself and household appliances
Therefore, it is important to correctly match the dimensions of the above-mentioned elements of the room. If everything is measured correctly, the layout will be successful
True, this is not always easy to do in small kitchens. There is a way out - this is a folding design.
Although the rectangular shape is optimal, the square one can be said to be the most spacious option. For example, a tabletop size of 90x90 cm is an excellent alternative to a compact design designed for 4 people. If the dimensions of the kitchen space allow, then you can install a square model for eight people. The photo below shows such a model.
Working surface height
The generally accepted height of floor modules is 850 mm. However, this indicator can be adjusted if you install twist-out legs on the furniture. But most often they choose a standard base. For people whose height does not exceed 178 cm, a support with a level of 100-120 mm is suitable, then the total height of the bottom row will be 800-850 mm, working behind such a surface is pleasant and comfortable.
For a person above average height, select a base with a level of 150-200 mm, then the working surface will be at a level of 900-950 mm. For people with disabilities or those whose height is up to 150 cm, the suitable working surface height is 760 mm.
The level of the lower tier is calculated based on the following indicators:
- depth of the working area (600-700 mm). The larger it is, the wider the viewing angle and the more pleasant it is to be in the kitchen;
- the distance between the lower and upper tier. It is important to position the upper modules in such a way that you do not hit your head on them during operation;
- the optimal gap between the hob and the sink is at least 400 mm. This will prevent splashes of water and detergent from getting into the soup pot.
Keep in mind that the height of the working surface is also affected by the thickness of the table top (usually it is 3-4 cm). The table top reaches the kitchen apron; the joint is masked using a wall edge or kitchen plinth. A free space of several centimeters is left between the cabinets and the wall, which is used for laying gas and water pipes, masking wires, etc.
Purpose
The main thing in furniture is its parameters. Why is table height important? This indicator can provide ease of use. As well as protection against spinal disorders. The height of the desktop plays an important role. This determines the comfort required by the position of the body, especially the back.
If the furniture is not suitable, then the person needs to lean forward and slouch while working. This causes curvature of the spine, as well as discomfort in the back.
Therefore, it is important to choose the appropriate table height for adults and children. But it should be borne in mind that for each type of structure, taking into account its purpose, the parameters differ
Depth of the working area in the kitchen
Recommended tabletop depth is 600 mm. This size will allow you to easily integrate “essentials” (sink, hob, etc.). The minimum depth of drawers is 460 mm, optimal is 560-580 mm.
If the size of the room allows, the depth of the working surface can be increased to 900 mm. Then the depth of the drawers is at least 760 mm. In professional kitchens, as well as in loft-style rooms, worktops with a depth of 1200 mm look good. Such a large surface is best installed in the center of the kitchen. This is a multifunctional table (also called an island) that increases the comfort of the kitchen and allows you to conveniently move to other workspaces.
To select the ideal depth of the working area, it is necessary to take into account the length of the arms of the person who most often prepares food in the family, as well as the dimensions of built-in appliances and tabletop household appliances.
Oval table
An oval table is more convenient than a round one and more original than a rectangular one, and is also safer because it has no corners
Oval combines the advantages of round and rectangular: roomy, practical, and at the same time non-trivial in appearance. A good choice for a living room or a spacious modern kitchen.
Beautiful and stylish oval-shaped table for a spacious dining room
When talking about size standards, we will only take into account the length in centimeters, since the width of an oval-shaped dining table is always about a meter.
- 4-6 persons – 150
- 7-8 persons – 180
- 9-10 persons – at least 210
Folding oval table for the living room in a classic style
The absence of corners on the oval table gives the impression of sophistication and at the same time safety
Built-in technology
The tendency to tie the oven to the hob is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Increasingly, this technique is being integrated at the torso level. The housewife does not need to bend low to the floor every time to check the readiness of the dish, and this is also very convenient from a safety point of view. Burns and injuries occur much less frequently.
Sometimes a washing machine is built under the countertop. Since the standard height of appliances is 850 mm, it is often necessary to increase the level of the lower base of the kitchen unit to 900-910 mm. This can be done using adjustable furniture legs or by replacing the standard 100 mm plinth with a 150 mm one. Based on this, it is worth considering that the upper modules will also rise.
It is customary to build a dishwasher into the bottom row. Its standard dimensions are 55 cm/60 cm/82 cm, so it fits under the tabletop without any problems.
Physiological comfort
performs most of the operations in the kitchen . The main load falls on the spine, its vertebrae and intervertebral discs. Any, even slight, inclination invariably leads to increased tension in the back, neck and lumbar muscles. A healthy person begins to get tired quickly from this. If a person has back problems, then his old sores remind of themselves even earlier. It follows that the tabletop should be of such a height as to minimize tilting.
Basic tips for creating a comfortable and optimal room
Cozy and functional kitchen.
When creating a high-quality room with optimal parameters, the recommendations of professional designers are taken into account:
- The dining table should be comfortable for every person in the family, so special high seats are purchased for children;
- A special dining area will certainly be organized in the kitchen , if it is not available in other rooms, and it should be spacious enough so that there are no difficulties in setting the table;
- The appearance of the kitchen set corresponds to the style in which the entire room is designed.
Large dining table-bar counter in the kitchen.
Design solution for kitchen decoration. The height of the kitchen unit is an important parameter for every kitchen. It is selected individually for each user, as it must match his height and other parameters . If a person independently engages in the process of creating a headset, then it is advisable to use special standard parameters in order to obtain a multifunctional and comfortable room. When choosing the optimal characteristics, you get a kitchen that is truly comfortable and enjoyable for constant use.
