Kitchen remodeling is more than just giving your kitchen a new look. It is also an opportunity to improve it ergonomically and make it better suited to your kitchen workflow. This is why, compared to other rooms in the house, remodeling a kitchen requires more meticulous planning. In this blog, the kitchen remodelers at DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Aiken take a look at the key measurements of kitchen design.
Counter Height
You will be doing most kitchen work on countertops, so the height needs to be tall enough that you don’t stoop when using it yet low enough that you don’t raise your upper arms for even the simplest tasks. The standard counter height is 34 to 36 inches from the floor, but this can be different if your height happens to be above or below average. A typical kitchen has at least three counter heights, depending on purpose:
- Preparation Area — The prep area is the most-used part of the kitchen. This is where all the washing, chopping and plating are done. The ideal prep area counter height should be three to four inches below your elbows.
- Cooking Surfaces — Cooking surfaces are generally lower than prep areas because it lets you see into your pots and pans as you use them, and helps avoid splashing hot oil at face height. The cooktop should be five to six inches below your elbows.
- Low-Level Surfaces — If you make your own pasta or do a lot of baking, then you’ll need a third, lower counter. These counters are generally eight inches below the elbows.
Counter Depth
Counter depth is the measure from the front of the countertop to the back. The standard countertop depth is 25 1/2 inches. Home renovation designers do not recommend deeper countertops because they take up too much space. As with counter height, counter depth can be customized to allow easier reach and accommodate your countertop appliances and backsplash. Standard cabinet depth is 24 inches, while countertop overhang depth (distance between the countertop’s lip and the edge of the cabinet) is 1 1/2 inches.
Cabinet or Shelving Clearance
This is the distance between the countertop and the bottom edge of the overhead cabinets or shelves, which should be 15 to 20 inches. Any lower and it would just be in the way and may even cause accidents. Any higher and you will be needing a ladder to reach the lower shelves.
Kitchen Triangle
The kitchen triangle is the center of your work area, which consists of three points: the refrigerator, the sink and the cooktop. One should be able to move between these points comfortably and with minimal effort. Each leg of the triangle should be between 48 and 108 inches, and the sum of all three sides should not exceed 312 inches.
Let’s Start a Conversation!
DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Aiken is your leading provider of kitchen and bathroom renovation services. Give us a call at (803) 335-1758 or fill out our contact form to discuss your next project!
