Kitchen countertop height: standard height, height versus height: how to calculate the parameters?
Kitchen planning is no easy task. So many nuances need to be taken into account and so wide assortment offered by manufacturers. One of the most important elements of kitchen furniture is the countertop. The selection process is baffling for many. In this article, everyone can find out how high the countertop should be in the kitchen..
When planning a kitchen, many are interested in how to choose the optimal height of the kitchen countertop..
Features of the countertop in the kitchen from the floor
Few people think about it, but when preparing food and cutting food, a person uses more than 40 muscles of various groups. The load on muscles and the body as a whole increases if the height of the working surface is chosen incorrectly. For example, if the table is higher than necessary, then the load on the joints and muscles of the arms increases. This is not only inconvenient, but also reduces the accuracy of actions and movements. Hands get tired faster and stop obeying. If the level of the countertop in the kitchen is below normal, then the back, neck, legs and knees suffer. When working on such a surface, you need to constantly bend over, which leads to undesirable changes in the joints.
If the height of the working area of the kitchen is chosen incorrectly, then there is an additional load on the muscles..
It is for this reason that it is important to choose such an option so that the height of the kitchen countertop is optimal..
Additional Information! It is worth noting that the existing standards are not suitable for many. They were developed in the last millennium and were aimed at European women, whose height was approximately 160-165 cm, that is, the average height.
Fortunately, now there are many options for furniture with adjustable legs, which allow you to adjust the parameters for yourself, but this is not always convenient. Especially if more than one person is cooking in the kitchen..
The height of the kitchen countertop depends on the height of everyone living in the house..
In the process of determining the optimal level, highlight the individual zones. Their level, due to the peculiarities of functionality, should differ:
- washing area;
- product cutting area;
- cooking food;
- dinner Zone.
Design of a multi-level kitchen countertop.
How to choose the right height of the kitchen table
It is no coincidence that a lot of attention is paid to the size of furniture in the kitchen area. This is necessary so that the hostess does not get tired of the workflow, but brings pleasure, including due to the convenience of the selected elements.
As mentioned earlier, the standard height of the kitchen countertop is not suitable for everyone, so you should not be guided by generally accepted norms in this matter. The optimal choice should depend on the height of the person who will be working in this space and with this surface. As a rule, the calculation is based on the ratio of a person’s height and the height from the floor of the working surface. So for people of short stature it will be about 75 cm, and for tall people about 1 meter. In this article, all aspects will be discussed in order..
The standard table top height is 75-100 cm.
What norms and standards exist
The work area should be located at a comfortable height for you. This area includes three main points: a sink, a hob, a place for cutting and processing products..
- By standard, work tables should be 72 cm from the floor.
- The thickness of the table top should be 3-4 cm.
- Depending on the height of the person, you can choose different options for the base.
Often, manufacturing firms make kitchen cabinets according to a single standard – 82 cm from the floor. A standard 28 mm worktop is added to this, and the result is an overall figure of 85 cm.Of course, the standards are not suitable for everyone, but they also have their advantages:
- externally, the kitchen, on which the countertops are located on the same level, looks more aesthetically pleasing;
- over time, instead of one of the lower sections, you can put any element of household appliances without replacing the countertop;
- standard copies will cost less, as they are more popular.
Choosing the height of the headset according to the person’s height.
The relationship between a person’s height and height
In order for the cooking process in the kitchen to be not only convenient, but also safe for health, the following parameters should be taken into account when planning a headset:
- 76 cm – if a person’s height is less than 150 cm (this height is also comfortable for people with disabilities);
- 82 cm – for people with a height of 150-165 cm;
- 88-91 cm – for people with a height of 165-186 cm;
- 94-100 cm – for those whose height is more than 186 cm.
The difficulty is that it is almost impossible to adapt to each family member, and therefore it is better to focus on the growth of the person who is most often engaged in cooking.
For people with disabilities, a worktop with a height of 75cm is suitable.
The calculations are simple enough. You need to measure 15 cm from the arm bent at the elbow at a right angle. This will be the height that is optimal for the work surface. Moreover, it is important to take into account that the countertop and the sink should be at different levels, which should be made 2-5 cm higher..
Dependency on functionality
There are several functions that a countertop serves in a kitchen. They are all very important:
- unites all elements of the headset;
- participates in the processes of cutting, cooking, washing, slicing, etc.;
- decorative function
- Table function.
The kitchen countertop serves many useful functions..
Scientists have long determined that each function requires a separate tabletop with an optimal height for specific tasks. If the height is chosen correctly, then the person will not feel fatigue in the muscles and joints, even working for a long time. This is important for performance, comfort and even health:
- Washing dishes. The standard countertop height for this activity in the kitchen is about 85 cm. But it is still important not to forget about the individual characteristics of each person. To make washing the dishes comfortable, tall people are more likely to fit a height of 90-95 cm.
- Cutting products. The worktop for this type of work should be higher than everyone else in the kitchen. However, this does not apply to those cases when it is necessary to use physical force to perform work. In this case, it is better, on the contrary, to choose an instance slightly lower than the standard one..
- Cooking food. This is the surface on which the hob is installed. You can check if it is correctly selected as follows:
- you must put the highest saucepan on the hob;
- step back a little and look into it;
- if there is no need to bend over or stand on tiptoes, then the height is selected correctly.
The standard kitchen sink height is about 85cm.
How to determine the size
As previously revealed, there is no overall optimum height. Since the adopted standards may not be convenient for everyone. To consolidate the information, we will highlight three main points that will help determine the size:
- Standard models are suitable for housewives of medium height. For steel, they can be inconvenient and even harmful to health. However, this option will cost a little less..
- Zones with different functions should be located at different levels.
- The optimal level is determined taking into account the height of the person.
For housewives with an average height, models of a standard height are suitable.
Calculation of parameters
Height is an extremely important parameter when choosing, but moreover, not the only one. There are also a number of significant measurements that must be taken into account when planning a kitchen space..
First, depth is important. Most of the pieces on the market are produced in stripes of 3 or 5 meters and a width of 60 cm.With European manufacturers you can find wider versions, about 70 cm.
In addition to height, the depth of the kitchen countertop is also important..
According to experts, the thickness can be different, but the market offers two standards – 28 and 38 mm. These indicators are more important for design, because the wider the tabletop, the more massive and rougher it looks..
It is also necessary to take into account the distance between the countertop and the lower edge of the wall cabinets, especially if the hostess of the kitchen has a non-standard height. As a rule, this figure is approximately 50-60 cm.
Mostly there are tabletops with a thickness of 28 and 38 mm..
How to increase yourself
For those who do not plan to buy new furniture, the option of self-expansion is suitable. To do this, pay attention to the legs. Perhaps the manufacturer has already taken care of this problem by installing adjustable ones, and you just have to adjust the height for yourself..
Worktops with adjustable legs are the best option for any kitchen.
If not, then another option will come to the rescue. It requires a lot of effort and money. You can try replacing the countertop. True, this method allows you to add only 3-5 cm, but sometimes this also allows you to save the situation..
Household Appliance Standards
Often the parameters of the countertop directly depend on the height of the household appliances that are located in the kitchen. All household appliances have standard sizes. It is important to familiarize yourself with them so as not to miscalculate. We will not go into details and describe in which GOST standard sizes are spelled out, but we will only list the numbers themselves.
The height of the countertop also depends on the size of the household appliances in the kitchen..
For a stove, the following dimensions are considered standard:
- Height 85-87 cm.
- Depth 60 cm.
- Width 50 and 59 cm, but in stores you can find options from 30 to 100 cm.
- Number of burners – from 2 to 6.
The most popular sizes are 40×58 cm and 50×58 cm.
Kitchens with a single-level worktop look more aesthetically pleasing.
The standard dimensions of the refrigerator are as follows:
- depth 60 cm (less often 50 cm);
- width 50-60 cm;
- Side-by-side models are sometimes found up to 110 cm wide.
- height of mini-refrigerators – from 50 to 110 cm, medium – from 130 to 180 cm, European – from 170 to 210 cm.
Washing machine standards depend on the specific type:
- Full-size: 85-90 cm high, 60-85 cm wide, 60 cm deep.
- Narrow. width 60 cm, height 85 cm, depth 35-40 cm.
- Embedded. Height 82-85 cm, width 60 cm, depth 55-60 cm.
- Compact. Height 65-70 cm, width 47-60 cm, depth 43-45 cm.
Kitchen design with a multi-level countertop.
Design Tips & Tricks
Designers advise to approach the choice of countertops with complete seriousness, because there are a lot of indicators that can affect the comfort while using kitchen furniture. In this article, one of the most important parameters was considered – height. It affects both comfort at work and health. However, when choosing furniture for the kitchen, it is important to ensure that the material meets a number of several rules:
- resistance to high temperatures;
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to direct sunlight;
- ease of cleaning;
- durability (high-quality materials that will last as long as possible and will not lose their original appearance).
The dining table and worktop in the kitchen must be the same height.
Conclusion
Armed with the knowledge gained from this article, everyone will be able to choose the best option for themselves, which will be not only beautiful, but also practical. The counting method is quite simple. Everyone can use it and it won’t take long. But the muscles and joints will say a huge “thank you” for the right convenient choice.
