The Key Measurements You Need to Know to Design Your Kitchen
Understanding spatial relationships, building dimensions and work zones will help you get the ideal kitchen setup
Steven Randel
26 August 2022
Houzz Contributor
Whether you are moving into an existing kitchen, renovating the one you have or building a new one, understanding a few key building measurements and organisational guidelines can help your culinary life run more smoothly.
Kitchens provide storage for your food and cookware, give you room for prep and cleanup, and of course also provide a place where you can cook and bake. When it’s thoughtfully arranged, these functions operate logically, making working in your kitchen a better experience. Here’s how to get the ideal setup.
Kitchens provide storage for your food and cookware, give you room for prep and cleanup, and of course also provide a place where you can cook and bake. When it’s thoughtfully arranged, these functions operate logically, making working in your kitchen a better experience. Here’s how to get the ideal setup.
Ideally, refrigeration and dry-goods storage should be located nearest to the kitchen’s entry point. The cooking area should be located toward the dining spaces, and the sink is best positioned between those two functions. This creates what’s called a work triangle. The best work triangle is less than 6.4 metres (21 linear feet). Work triangles that exceed 7.9 metres (26 feet) make moving from one function to another inefficient in most cases.
This cutaway plan illustrates arrangements and dimensions for a modest-size kitchen. Note that the preparation area is split between the island with the sink and the corner of the kitchen. The work triangle is compact. There will always be a few tradeoffs in any space.
Let’s take a look at the three main functions of a kitchen:
1. Storage
2. Preparation
3. Cooking
Everyone has personal preferences for what works best, so consider this a guide and not a rulebook.
Find kitchen professionals near you
Let’s take a look at the three main functions of a kitchen:
1. Storage
2. Preparation
3. Cooking
Everyone has personal preferences for what works best, so consider this a guide and not a rulebook.
Find kitchen professionals near you
Storage
As noted, designers recommend putting refrigeration and dry-goods storage at the kitchen entry point. Putting your pantry on one side and a countertop that’s 38 to 61 centimetres (15 to 24 inches) on the other is a good idea. This will allow you to easily set down items that have been taken out of the freezer and refrigerator.
The pantry can hold dry goods plus brooms and supplies like paper towels. Use drawers in this area to hold plastic bags, foil and anything that can contain food to be stored. For the cabinets in this area, you will want to have mixing bowls, cake pans, measuring utensils and any other items that aid in assembling meals.
Read more on kitchen storage planning
As noted, designers recommend putting refrigeration and dry-goods storage at the kitchen entry point. Putting your pantry on one side and a countertop that’s 38 to 61 centimetres (15 to 24 inches) on the other is a good idea. This will allow you to easily set down items that have been taken out of the freezer and refrigerator.
The pantry can hold dry goods plus brooms and supplies like paper towels. Use drawers in this area to hold plastic bags, foil and anything that can contain food to be stored. For the cabinets in this area, you will want to have mixing bowls, cake pans, measuring utensils and any other items that aid in assembling meals.
Read more on kitchen storage planning
Preparation
Ideally, prep and cleaning space is best located around the sink. Within these areas will be everyday glasses and dishes, along with trash receptacles and the dishwasher. Allow 45 to 92 centimetres (18 to 36 inches) of countertop space on one or both sides of your sink.
Preparation areas are best kept clear of other items, since you will always be taking out bowls, plates and utensils there. Allow at least 92 centimetres (36 inches) of uncluttered countertop space for preparation in a small kitchen. Larger kitchens will have much more. This is one reason that islands are so popular. They provide broad and well-lit surfaces on which to perform the majority of kitchen tasks.
Ideally, prep and cleaning space is best located around the sink. Within these areas will be everyday glasses and dishes, along with trash receptacles and the dishwasher. Allow 45 to 92 centimetres (18 to 36 inches) of countertop space on one or both sides of your sink.
Preparation areas are best kept clear of other items, since you will always be taking out bowls, plates and utensils there. Allow at least 92 centimetres (36 inches) of uncluttered countertop space for preparation in a small kitchen. Larger kitchens will have much more. This is one reason that islands are so popular. They provide broad and well-lit surfaces on which to perform the majority of kitchen tasks.
Cooking
The cooking centers should be arranged around the hood, cooking hobs and wall ovens. Place pots, frying pans and baking sheets in the vicinity around your burners and ovens. It is a good idea to place small appliances such as toasters and coffeemakers in this area also, as it will leave your preparation areas unobstructed.
Allow 53 to 92 centimetres (21 to 36 inches) of countertop on either side of your cooktop. If possible, place wall ovens with a free countertop immediately next to them so that you can set down hot food immediately. Place seasonings, breadboards and potholders in nearby drawers and cupboards. Keep serveware toward the dining area.
The cooking centers should be arranged around the hood, cooking hobs and wall ovens. Place pots, frying pans and baking sheets in the vicinity around your burners and ovens. It is a good idea to place small appliances such as toasters and coffeemakers in this area also, as it will leave your preparation areas unobstructed.
Allow 53 to 92 centimetres (21 to 36 inches) of countertop on either side of your cooktop. If possible, place wall ovens with a free countertop immediately next to them so that you can set down hot food immediately. Place seasonings, breadboards and potholders in nearby drawers and cupboards. Keep serveware toward the dining area.
Recommended Dimensions of Kitchen Elements
The dimensions of all the pieces in your kitchen are important to get right to make the best use of your space. A common refrigerator width is slightly less than 92 centimetres (36 inches). The problem is often the depth. In recent years some manufacturers have designed them to be much deeper than a 61-centimetre (24-inch) base cabinet. You can still buy shallower freestanding refrigerators, but you have to pay close attention to the dimensions listed in its specifications to be certain. The other option is built-in configurations, but they are significantly more expensive.
Look for a depth of 76 centimetres (30 inches) or less, excluding handles, unless you can design your kitchen space to accept a deeper unit. Another thing to consider is the swing of the refrigerator door. Always examine the swing direction to see if it will meet an obstruction.
Read more on planning for a built-in refrigerator
The dimensions of all the pieces in your kitchen are important to get right to make the best use of your space. A common refrigerator width is slightly less than 92 centimetres (36 inches). The problem is often the depth. In recent years some manufacturers have designed them to be much deeper than a 61-centimetre (24-inch) base cabinet. You can still buy shallower freestanding refrigerators, but you have to pay close attention to the dimensions listed in its specifications to be certain. The other option is built-in configurations, but they are significantly more expensive.
Look for a depth of 76 centimetres (30 inches) or less, excluding handles, unless you can design your kitchen space to accept a deeper unit. Another thing to consider is the swing of the refrigerator door. Always examine the swing direction to see if it will meet an obstruction.
Read more on planning for a built-in refrigerator
Here you can see how the height of the cabinets plays an important part in the configuration. Upper cabinets are normally positioned at 46 centimetres (18 inches) above the countertop and are 76 to 107 centimetres (30 to 42 inches) in height. Consider that your average maximum reach over and into an upper cabinet is 178 to 203 centimetres (70 to 80 inches) above the floor. Cabinets set at above 213 centimetres (7 feet) will likely need to be accessed with a step ladder. Cabinets above 244 centimetres (8 feet) are not practical for the majority of people; however, they may serve as storage for seasonal or decorative items, to be reached with step stools and ladders.
The standard dimensions for base cabinets are 61 centimetres (24 inches) deep and 92 centimetres (36 inches) high. In general people are getting taller, so some homeowners are bumping up the counter height to 97 centimetres (38 inches).
The standard dimensions for base cabinets are 61 centimetres (24 inches) deep and 92 centimetres (36 inches) high. In general people are getting taller, so some homeowners are bumping up the counter height to 97 centimetres (38 inches).
Another important dimension to consider is the distance between cabinets. Entry points can be as little as 92 centimetres (36 inches) when there is a cabinet on only one side. Stay at least 107 centimetres (42 inches) from the face of a cabinet to the one on the other side; 122 centimetres (48 inches) is even better, but going beyond 152 centimetres (60 inches) is too wide in most cases. However, if it is a U-shaped kitchen, you could get away with up to 244 centimetres (96 inches).
Browse kitchen design photos and find great design ideas for your own kitchen
Browse kitchen design photos and find great design ideas for your own kitchen
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Be careful when increasing the height of a countertop. Dishwashers, ranges, and many appliances are designed for a 36” height. It’s easier to increase the height of the island if it is a used as a workspace without sink or range. Of course, you can increase s the height of the countertop if you plan ahead or simply increase the height of the countertop material. Keep in mind that increasing the height could impact the resale value of your home.
If prep is the problem on a too low countertop, get a raised cutting board. Then folks of different heights can be accommodated
Thank you great information