Dimensions in the kitchen set create not only the harmony of forms. First of all, it is the maximum functionality. And it is in the kitchen that it is especially important.
Standard height
Buying a standard kitchen set is simple, fast and inexpensive. However, the standard height of the countertop in the kitchen is not always comfortable and not for everyone. Especially if the owner of this kitchen will use it not only to brew morning coffee, reheat cooked food and make sandwiches, but also cook full breakfasts, lunches and dinners for his family every day with all the ensuing needs.
In addition, the standard height of the countertop has been preserved since the middle of the 20th century. At that time, the height of the average woman was 165 cm. The height of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor for a height of 166 cm is 88-89 cm.
Physiological comfort
Most of the work in the kitchen is done while standing. In this case, the load falls on the spine, its vertebrae,intervertebral discs. With an inclination, even a slight one, the tension of the muscles of the back, neck, and lower back increases. For a he althy person, this leads to early fatigue, but for a back patient, this is generally a big problem. Therefore, the height of the countertop should minimize tilt.
Ergonomic expediency
It has been proven that correctly calculated all dimensions, including the height of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor and the optimal location of all elements of the kitchen set, can reduce the physical costs of the hostess by 30%. It was found that doing the same work in the kitchen, standing upright, uses half the muscles than doing the same work, leaning forward slightly towards a lower countertop.
If the height of the countertop from the floor in the kitchen is slightly higher, then the number of muscles of the person working behind it still remains the same, but the amount of load on them increases. This leads to the fact that they will get tired faster. Therefore, choosing the height of the countertop is an important matter, especially if the owner of the kitchen will need to do a fairly large amount of work in the kitchen.
Optimal height level
What is the ideal height of a kitchen countertop from the floor?
To do this, you need to decide how functional the kitchen needs. If this is a bachelor's kitchen, which takes up little space in a large studio room, then you can stop at a single average countertop height that is optimal for the owner. But completely different requirements for the kitchen, where they will constantlyperform various cooking operations. Comfort when performing any of them directly depends on the height of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor, its area, illumination.
It is estimated that a hostess with a small stature, less than 150 cm, will fit a work kitchen table with a height from countertop to floor of 76-82 cm.
For average height (160-180 cm), for which most standard sizes are designed, the height of the countertop from the floor in the kitchen varies between 88-91 cm. For people above average height (more than 180 cm and less 200 cm) a table height of 1 m will be comfortable.
Table height for different jobs
Ideally, the height of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor is calculated depending on the height of the hostess and the purpose of this work surface. It is proved that during any operation in the process of cooking there is an individual comfortable height of the desktop plate. Competently and comfortably will have several work surfaces with different heights from the floor.
The following work is being done in the kitchen:
- cooking on the stove;
- washing dishes;
- cut;
- kneading dough.
1. Washing products. The height of the sink cabinet is determined as follows. You need to know the distance from the elbow to the floor. From the value obtained, subtract the height of the fist. The result is the desired height for the countertop from the floor, which is one of the largest. Mistress' backat the same time it will be straight, and therefore will not experience tension, the arms will be bent at the elbows at a right angle, the hands will rest slightly against the near edge of the sink. It is this position that will allow the hostess to spend less energy and, accordingly, get less tired. At the same time, we must not forget that there must be at least 40 cm from the edge of the sink to the hob.
2. Cutting products. For this, as a rule, the working surface is needed with the largest area. It is here that a significant amount of operations are carried out. Here, the height of the countertop from the floor in the kitchen should be slightly less than that for the sink. Here work is done with cutting vegetables, fish, bread and others, which require a certain accuracy. It is also here that work is done with the application of some physical effort. This is kneading dough, and cutting meat. For this process, it will be more convenient to have a table slightly above the waist.
It can be concluded that the most comfortable table for the working area, consisting of two parts. This is the main tabletop at the level of 83-85 cm from the floor and a smaller cutting tabletop. If it is not possible to make two such surfaces, then one with an average value is enough.
In small kitchens, where the size of the work surface is limited, part of its function is taken over by the flat surface of the sink. In such cases, it is recommended to make the sink and the working part of the countertop at the same level, choosing an average value between the recommended height of the sink and the surface for cutting.
3. Stove or hob. During the day, this surface is also veryin demand. In order to determine its height, you need to take your high pan and choose the height so that you can look into this pan without unnecessary difficulties. For a person of average height, the height of the countertop from the floor in the kitchen where the stove is located is 80-82 cm. At the same time, the distance from the hood to this surface should be about 70 cm. In addition to all these dimensions, it should be taken into account that the distance from the table surface to the bottom edge of the hanging cabinets should be at least 45 cm. The optimal depth of the countertop is 60 cm. With a larger value, as a rule, you will have to make extra movements to reach the objects standing at its other end.
Multi-Home Countertop Height
Difficulties that are almost impossible to cope with arise if several family members with significantly different heights cook the same amount in the kitchen. That's when the height of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor is determined by height, taking into account the opinion of the one who works more in the kitchen, or the one who is more demanding on comfort.
Additional nuances and little tricks
For such cases, as well as in order to make the kitchen set as functional as possible in a small kitchen, it is recommended to use various technical tricks. For example, pull-out worktops, thick cutting boards, etc.
Individual for each housewife is whether she prefers to do all the work in the kitchen while standing ortries to do things while sitting as much as possible. This is also worth considering, as is the presence of chairs of optimal sizes, suitable for the height of the tabletop.
What to choose, standard height or individual, depends only on the desire of the hostess of the kitchen and the thickness of the wallet. But the financial and time investment will pay for itself with more than comfort when working at a worktop with an individually selected height.
