According to scientists, a person spends about three years of his life in the kitchen, so it is very important that this room is furnished as comfortably as possible. Correctly selected shape and size of the kitchen set have a beneficial effect on overall well-being, prevent fatigue, increase productivity and create a great mood. This article will tell you how to correctly calculate and select the dimensions of kitchen furniture.
Properly chosen size of kitchen unit increases productivity and saves time
Features of kitchen furniture: sizes of sets and their meaning
The basis of the furnishings in any kitchen is the kitchen set. Furniture must meet certain requirements, which are designed to fulfill the main task - to create functionality and comfort during work and relaxation in the room.
The kitchen set should be functional and easy to use
It is fundamentally important that every centimeter of available space is used with maximum efficiency, and that all cabinets fit exactly into the layout of the room. It is especially necessary that the dimensions of the furniture correspond to the height of the residents of the house. They should not have to exert much effort to reach items from high shelves or excessively deep cabinets.
That is why, when calculating the standard sizes of a kitchen set, scientific engineers were guided by the average anthropometric characteristics of people of the Caucasian race, which include body growth at rest and in the process of performing certain movements: bending, squatting, extending arms in width and height. Based on these calculations, the standard dimensions of kitchen units and household appliances were determined.
Nevertheless, quite often in modern kitchen space planning non-standard sizes of furniture are used in order to make the most efficient use of the available space in the room. In such cases, furniture can be made to order, taking into account the individual requirements of the owners of the house or apartment.
When calculating standard furniture sizes, the average anthropometric indicators of people are taken into account
Dimensions of wall-mounted corner modules
Wall corner cabinets usually have the following dimensions:
- The side walls of the wall-hung corner module, located parallel to the kitchen wall, should be 60 cm each.
- The side walls of the wall-mounted corner module adjacent to adjacent drawers should be 31.5 cm each.
- The front part can be closed with a door or a 38 cm wide front.
- The back part is on average 16.5 cm.
Knowing the approximate standard dimensions of the kitchen unit modules, you can easily design a kitchen that is comfortable in all respects.
Standard kitchen sizes in standard furniture designs
The dimensions of the kitchen set are dictated by the area and shape of the room, the features of communications, the location of windows and doorways, the presence of ledges and niches. All these measurements must be made with extreme accuracy and displayed in working designs of kitchen sets with dimensions. The document itself, in addition to the listed components, must include the following mandatory parameters:
- dimensions of household appliances;
- standard tabletop size;
- height, width and depth of cabinets (separately upper and lower tiers).
Helpful advice! Information about the dimensions of the built-in equipment, in case of purchasing a ready-made set from the manufacturer, can be found in the technical data sheet; the dimensions of all components of the furniture set are also indicated there.
Typical design of a kitchen unit measuring 1500x3500 mm
Let's consider individual parameters according to which standard kitchen designs are drawn up. In particular, the standard height of a kitchen countertop is 85-90 cm. The thickness of a countertop made of laminated chipboard varies from 28 to 38 mm. Its standard length should correspond to 305 and 420 cm, and its depth should be 60, 80 or 120 cm.
When planning a kitchen, you should start from the kitchen set size standards indicated in the table (the drawings display these parameters):
| Cabinet type | Height, cm | Width, cm | Depth, cm |
| Upper tier | 60-90 in 5 cm increments | 30-100, in increments of 10, from 60 to 20 cm | 30 |
| Lower tier | 80-90 | 30-100, in increments of 10, from 60 to 20 cm | 50 |
| Hood cabinet | 40 | 50-90 | 30 |
| Corner cupboard | 60-90 | 55-60 (symmetrically in both directions) | 60 |
The dimensions of the bottle holder in the kitchen set, also called a cargo mesh, can be selected individually, depending on the dimensions of the room. Its height depends on the height of the lower tier, and the standard width can be 15, 20, 30 cm.
Height of kitchen unit from floor to countertop
To understand the data given in the table, it is necessary to consider in more detail each of the component parts of the kitchen set. In particular, the height of the kitchen unit from the floor to the countertop and the dimensions of the lower tier play an important role in proper arrangement. The placement of the countertop is very important, as it determines the comfortable position of your hands while cooking.
The standard height of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor is 85 cm, if the average height of the inhabitants of the apartment is 170 cm. For short people, the lower tier can be lowered by 5 cm - up to 80 cm. For tall household members, on the contrary, the tabletop should be raised to 90 cm.
The main role in arranging a kitchen is played by the height from the floor to the countertop.
The tabletop should protrude above the lower cabinets by approximately 5 cm, and at the back - by 10 cm. Its depth can range from 40 to 100 cm. The average value is 60 cm. The calculations take into account the length of the arms and the dimensions of built-in and tabletop household appliances.
If the sets are shallow, some appliances may simply not fit on the countertop, the selected hob will not fit into the space allocated for it, and a wider stove will simply protrude from the background of the set. If the width is excessively large, then a person will have difficulty reaching objects located near the wall.
The width of the lower tier cabinets can vary from 30 to 80 cm. The swing of the doors when opening should not exceed 50 cm. In order to save space in small kitchens, it is better to choose furniture with drawers and cabinets.
On average, the distance from the tabletop to the floor should be 80-90 cm
Helpful advice! The height of the kitchen work surface may vary. The owners themselves choose the desired location of the tabletop thanks to the adjustable legs on the set.
Standard kitchen height: dimensions of upper tier cabinets
The optimal distance from the tabletop to the upper cabinets of the set is 45 cm. Such dimensions allow a person to freely reach objects from the upper shelves (most often glasses and cups) without stretching out or standing on tiptoes. For tall people, these standards may be compromised. Upper cabinets can be of various sizes, their height depends on the height of the ceilings and the individual preferences of the owners and ranges from 45 to 100 cm.
Thus, the overall standard kitchen height can be from 180 to 250 cm. Sometimes storage systems can be located at a higher level, where items that are not often used in everyday life are usually placed. To get them, you will need a special stand or a regular stool.
The dimensions of the upper cabinets depend on the dimensions of the room and the height of the occupants
The standard depth of the upper tier cabinets is 30 cm, it is calculated taking into account the typical dimensions of the dishes. Deeper cabinets can accommodate more items, but placing them on the same level as the lower tier will be very uncomfortable in practical terms: getting dishes out of the depths will be inconvenient, and your head will be subject to impacts on protruding cabinets. The width of wall cabinets should be synchronized with the furniture of the lower row and range from 30 to 80 cm.
Experts recommend installing the hood at a height of 70 to 80 cm. In this case, it is better to be guided by the operating instructions for specific devices. Typically, the distance for gas stoves is slightly smaller - at the level of 70-75 cm, and for electric hobs this figure is 75-80 cm. If you violate these requirements and position the hood higher, then its operation will be less efficient. If you install it lower, it will fail much faster due to exposure to high temperatures.
Dimensions of built-in models
Recently, built-in gas stoves have been in great demand, allowing rational use of every centimeter of kitchen space. The advantage of these models is that they can be easily integrated into any necessary surface. If desired, the oven can even be mounted in a wall cabinet, which, if done correctly, will save space.
The peculiarity of these models is that, despite their noticeable compactness, they have a fairly comfortable cooking surface, which houses 4 burners designed for fairly large dishes. The standard width of these models is 50-60 centimeters. The depth can be 45-55 cm, and the height from 3 to 10 cm. This variety is also not limited to standard indicators, and some manufacturers also provide production according to individual sizes.
The work triangle and kitchen standards: rules for ideal placement
The so-called working triangle rule plays a special role in creating the correct layout in the kitchen. Compliance with this aspect of ergonomics allows you to rationally distribute space and make work in the kitchen as easy as possible. The range of this zone includes three places:
The work triangle plays an important role in creating a comfortable layout
- work surface of the countertop and stove;
- area where the refrigerator and food cabinets are located;
- location of the sink.
Thus, the triangle area includes such important functional appliances as the refrigerator, stove and sink. At the same time, their location next door is absolutely undesirable. Ideally, each of the components should be located in one of the corners of the imaginary triangle.
There are many options for furniture placement taking into account the work triangle. This useful functionality provides free access to the listed items and safety of their use. Thus, without particularly changing the position of the body, a person can easily reach each of the zones. Simply put, everything you need is at hand during the cooking process.
The ideal layout in the kitchen is when a person does not make unnecessary movements, since everything is at hand
Helpful advice! The width of cabinet door leaves should range from 30-45 cm. Wider doors will not be very convenient to open.
An important point in creating a drawing of a kitchen set with dimensions is the correct arrangement of items related to large household appliances. The dimensions of a built-in washing machine or dishwasher must be taken into account when developing a sketch of the lower tier. The width of the refrigerator should allow for a certain margin, since this unit vibrates during operation and should not fit closely to the wall and cabinet walls.
Drawing up sketches of the dimensions of kitchen units in accordance with the parameters of the kitchen
Thus, standard cabinet sizes and compliance with the triangle rule in combination will help create the ideal drawing for a specific kitchen. In this case, the distance between functional zones should not exceed twice the length of an outstretched arm. When preparing food, you have to carry items from the refrigerator to the sink to wash or clean food. Next, the ingredients are transferred directly to the work surface, and from there to the stove.
After taking measurements in the kitchen, a detailed sketch is drawn up
After completing the work, the person returns to the refrigerator again to put the food that is left in it, or to put the finished dish in it. In addition, during the cooking process, you should have cabinets with spices and other products on hand. Therefore, it is very important when drawing up sketches of kitchens to calculate everything correctly so that the room is as functional and ergonomic as possible.
The diagram with the dimensions of the kitchen set should be based on the parameters of the kitchen itself. In this case, the minimum number of modules expected for installation should be 3 pieces. One of them is a sink cabinet with a sink, the second module is a stove or part of a set with a built-in hob, the third is a work area with a countertop. It is imperative to provide space for a refrigerator. If additional space is available, additional modules for a washing machine and dishwasher and a compartment with a pull-out trash can are installed.
Kitchen set: photos of beautiful and functional furniture options
Rules for choosing materials for the manufacture of facades and buildings. How to place interior items in the kitchen and determine the desired color of the facades.
Little secret
See also:
Lock for a sliding wardrobe: which one to choose, how to install it yourself
A little final advice. Suitable for those who still chose MDF or laminated chipboard.
When making a base from these materials, it is recommended to make the height literally 3 mm less than the standard. That is, instead of 150 mm, cut 147 mm. Why is this necessary? It's simple. When installing from the end side, screw in the self-tapping screws. The step between them will be about 60-80 mm. In this case, the cap should remain 2-3 mm.
This allows you to place the base on the floor, but not directly touch the surface due to the gap of a few millimeters from the screw heads. The latter will act as supports, mini-legs. And if water starts to flow under the kitchen furniture, it will not touch the base. Thus, this allows you to avoid swelling of materials that are not particularly friendly with moisture.
Zoning space by height: dimensions of the kitchen unit and its functionality
Regardless of whether the standard sizes of kitchen facades are chosen or individual drawings of the furniture are made, taking into account the distance from the floor, the kitchen is conventionally divided into functional zones:
- very low;
- low;
- average;
- high.
Conventionally, the kitchen is divided into the following zones: low, medium and high
Very low is at 40 cm from the floor. This is a place with minimal access as it is poorly visible. In order to get the necessary item, you need to bend down or even sit down. These areas are typically used to store heavy, rarely used items, such as heavy frying pans.
The low zone starts at 40 cm from the floor and does not reach the top edge of the lower cabinets - up to 75 cm. This zone is not very convenient to use, as it requires bending over to get the necessary items. This is an ideal place to place items that may be needed 1-2 times during the cooking process. It is best to store small household appliances, bowls and pots in such cabinets.
Helpful advice! Functional zones are designed taking into account the standard height of a kitchen unit, which has standard dimensions, for people with a height of 170 cm. In individual kitchen projects, the height of the zones, as well as the height of the cabinets, can be changed according to personal needs.
The middle part of the kitchen, located in the range from 75 to 190 cm, is considered the most convenient. It is in this area that all things and products are clearly visible, and you can easily reach the desired item without standing on tiptoes or bending over. Here you should store everyday items that are constantly used in the cooking process. These are cutlery, knives, cups, spoons and other utensils.
When calculating the size of a kitchen unit, it is necessary to take into account the height of all residents
The high zone is located at a height of more than 190 cm. In the upper part, it is best to save items that are light in weight and rarely used in everyday life, for example, baking dishes.
Installation of a kitchen unit: furniture dimensions and room dimensions
Kitchen sets must be selected based on the type of room layout, which is not always standard. For example, in a room with a square or rectangular shape, as a rule, there are no special problems - you can purchase almost any set there. In kitchens with a non-standard layout, where there are beveled corners, various niches or, conversely, external corners and protrusions on the walls, it is a little more complicated. In this case, it is better to resort to making furniture according to your own design.
Most modern manufacturers specialize in custom design services, creating sketches and drawings taking into account the specific dimensions of the kitchen and the features of its layout. For this purpose, the staff includes specialists who go to the site, personally take measurements and make calculations according to the size of the kitchen. Standards are also present in special projects. For example, designers start from such dimensions as the size of the upper cabinet door, which is 72x45 cm, which is considered ideal in everyday life.
The layout of the kitchen set is selected based on the dimensions and shape of the room
Based on the location of communications and the characteristics of the room, a drawing is created with the specific dimensions of the kitchen unit. The standard dimensions are observed in those places where they can be maintained as much as possible. In general, the project itself should reflect the maximum rational use of every centimeter of usable area. The implementation of the project and the actual manufacturing process of the headset begin only after agreement with the customer.
Kitchen sets, according to the layout features, can be of the following types:
- direct;
- corner;
- insular.
Direct layout of the kitchen set for a standard kitchen layout
The direct type of layout is considered the most budget-friendly, and therefore the most affordable option. This is a universal set of furniture that will fit perfectly into any standard kitchen space. With enough space, a straight layout will allow you to create a cozy and functional workplace.
Externally, this kitchen set consists of two rows of cabinets located along one of the longest walls. There are no corners or turns here. In the case where the length of a straight kitchen exceeds 3.7 m, it is necessary to consider an option that involves placing the refrigerator on the other side so that the rule of the functional triangle is observed. If this principle is violated, you will have to move along one wall all the time, which will lead to rapid fatigue and low work efficiency.
Direct kitchen set - the most versatile and budget option
Helpful advice! For the purpose of ergonomic use of space, it is advisable to purchase a three-tier set with a maximum height from floor to ceiling. This trick will not only help you use space effectively, but also visually enlarge the kitchen.
This arrangement has its own special advantages, in particular:
- the price of a ready-made direct set is much lower than the cost of a set of individual cabinets or custom-made furniture;
- a wide range of options, furniture can be selected at home using special catalogs of kitchen sets;
- To determine the required size of the headset, it is enough to measure the length and height of the working wall.
Corner kitchen set for the kitchen: photos with examples of layout options
The corner layout of the kitchen set is deservedly considered the most popular, as it fits perfectly into rooms of any size. It can solve the problem of rational use of space in a small-sized Khrushchev-era building, and the furniture will look organic in a spacious studio apartment in a new building. Standard corner sets have the shape of the letter L or L; in individual layouts, layouts in the form of the letter P or even L can be found.
The corner layout of the headset will fit into a room of any size
The main task of such a set is to create the most convenient conditions for cooking. In this case, the rule of the functional triangle, which includes the stove, sink and refrigerator, must be observed. The maximum distance between these zones should not exceed 1.5 m - otherwise kitchen work will be burdened with unnecessary movements.
During the development of the project, it is necessary to pay special attention to the depth of the kitchen unit in the corner and its configuration. A beveled corner looks beautiful and original, but this option is not suitable for short or overweight people, since it is difficult to reach the corner sink and the top shelves in the corner cabinet. Washing a wall with a sink in the corner will also be problematic. Therefore, the ideal solution is a rectangular set with a shallow corner depth.
A U-shaped kitchen is suitable for square-shaped rooms. A set of this arrangement has two corners at once, and the cabinets are located along three walls. The U-shape can be found in the kitchen with a bar counter, which serves as a perpendicular extension of the countertop. This arrangement is typical for rooms connected to the living room or dining room, where the bar counter helps to zone the space.
Dimensions of island-type kitchens: visual examples of design
A kitchen set with an island layout necessarily includes an additional module, which stands separately from the main set of furniture. Typically, the island is located in the center of the room and, as a rule, has a built-in sink and hob.
The height of the kitchen island should correspond to the main unit
The height of the free-standing module must be equal to the height of the main set. The standard dimensions of the lower tier, as mentioned above, are 85-90 cm. At the same time, in individual projects, the dimensions of the island can be changed at the request of the customer. For example, this is relevant if the sink is located on an island and it is necessary to maintain a certain slope of the drain pipes.
Important! To prevent imbalance in the decor and create overall harmony in the room, the height of the island should not exceed the height of the main kitchen unit by more than 20 cm.
Most often, an island-type layout is present in kitchens where a corner-type built-in kitchen set is installed, where all household appliances are harmoniously fitted and the space along the walls is completely occupied. This setting creates the impression that the furniture is an integral part of the room.
