How to size and place furniture and appliances in the kitchen for ease of use

Even if it's all about furniture, furnishing a kitchen is much more complicated than a bedroom or living room. Because here you have a water source, various appliances, heat sources, and all of this has to be perfectly integrated with the furniture. The kitchen is where the cooking is done, so the space must be comfortable, efficient and safe. Design is important, but even more important is that the furniture is easy to use, access to cupboards and appliances is easy, and time at the table is not a chore. Over the years, studies have been carried out and rules have been established to make the furniture as ergonomic as possible so that cooking is done safely and time spent in the kitchen is as pleasant as possible. Some of these rules are discussed below.

Cabinets and worktops must be of the right height and size

The height of worktops and cupboards is very important for a pleasant and safe kitchen. Worktops and cupboards should be at a comfortable height that allows you to work without your back or arms being affected. There should be enough space between cabinets positioned facing each other so that they can be used at the same time, and access to overhead poles or overhead cabinets should be easy without the person doing it standing on their tiptoes.

Ideally, the furniture should be sized in relation to the height of the person using the kitchen. As more than one floor can fit in a typical kitchen, some general rules have been established to suit the majority of people. Thus, the height of cupboards resting on the floor is between 85 and 90 cm and their depth is 60 cm. There should be a space of 55-60 cm between the cupboards and the wall-hung units, the depth of the top ones is 30 cm, and access to them should be easy. If there are cabinets facing each other, there must be a minimum distance between them that allows two people to work at the same time.

The sink and hob must be fitted on both sides with 60 cm worktops. If one side is wall-mounted, the other must be 90 cm. The minimum height at which the sink is fitted is 85 cm. The space between the oven and the cupboard on the opposite wall must allow the oven door to open fully and the cook to lean over. The table should be 75-80 cm high and the chairs should be chosen so that the table can be seated comfortably. Read more about how to choose the table and chairs here.The recommended height for the bar table is 110 cm and the height of the corresponding chairs is 75 cm. How to choose a chair to be comfortable and safe, find out here.

Triangle rule

One of the most important rules of kitchen design is the triangle rule. It sets out the ratio of working areas in the kitchen and has remained as relevant today as it was more than 80 years ago. This rule states that the 3 main areas in the kitchen - the cooking area (stove), the food preparation area (sink) and the storage area (fridge) - form a triangle which, for work to run smoothly, must be clear. The sides of this triangle must also be no smaller than 110-120 cm and no larger than 270-300 cm. The free space and short travel distances are what ensure efficient kitchen work.

The three zones are also called the warm zone, the wet zone and the cold zone. Warm zone includes stove, oven and microwave. For efficient operation, they should be placed as close together as possible and with spaces on either side to allow for safe placement of pots and pans. Wetland includes, in addition to the sink, the dishwasher, the dishwasher and the waste bin. The ideal area for the waste bin is under the sink and access should be as easy as possible. Cold zone also includes storage cabinets, spice racks, pantry side. If possible, one of the worktops can be arranged close to this area to make access to food as easy as possible.

And the mounting of the device must be done according to clear rules

The cooker, hood, oven, microwave, fridge, sink are appliances that are not to be missed in the kitchen. Furniture is designed according to how they will be positioned and sometimes there are even fixtures made specifically for the appliance to be mounted inside. Since proximity between them can cause problems, a few rules have been laid down here too:

• the sink does not sit next to the hob. There must be at least 60 cm between them,
• the hob does not sit next to the fridge. If the kitchen is very small and the position of the fridge is very close to the hob, a small insulating wall should be fitted between them,
• In the case of the gas hob, the hood is mounted at min. 65 cm and max. 80 cm high,
• if the hob is electric, the hood can be mounted at a minimum distance of 55 cm. The maximum distance remains the same,
• the dishwasher must be mounted at a maximum distance of 90 cm from the sink. The same applies to the washing machine,
• positioning the refrigerator near heat sources (radiator, stove) should be avoided.

Accessibility and ergonomics

Kitchen furniture should be designed and fitted so that it is affordable and meets the needs of those who use it. If there are special requirements in the house, these should be taken into account. In a kitchen used mainly by an elderly person, for example, consideration should be given to how easily drawers and doors work, how easy it is to reach overhead cabinets or in depth the bottom cabinets. If the person has difficulty moving, uses a cane or even a wheelchair, the spaces between the cupboards should be wider, the worktop should be at the height needed to work from the chair, and the chair should fit easily under the table.

An ergonomic kitchen is a comfortable space in which to work easily, safely and efficiently. Hands don't have to get tired while chopping food, backs don't have to be strained. While standard furniture is already sized according to the above rules, customised furniture can be adapted to the customer's needs. This is the surest way to achieve ergonomic furniture that can be used without discomfort or pressure.

Storage spaces

The way storage is done is basic to the proper functioning of the kitchen. For example, frequently used items should be stored in easily accessible areas and heavier items such as pots and pans should be stored at waist height or lower. Cabinets and drawers should open simply and easily for easy access.

The organisation of the kitchen is mainly up to the person who operates it, but the designer must design the spaces and facilities to be useful and easy to use.

I hope you find the information useful. As usual, additions are welcome. And if you have any questions or queries, please leave them in the space below. I'm sure I'll reply.