It turns out that regardless of space, the principles of arranging a functional, ergonomic kitchen remain the same. How to achieve the highest efficiency? Planning according to the principle of kitchen working triangle, properly adjusted height of countertops, and innovative Modern Box kitchen drawers are really worthwhile ideas!
Working triangle
Conscious planning of kitchen furniture should be carried out in accordance with the overarching principle – the working triangle. It refers the distance between the most important kitchen appliances – the refrigerator, the sink, and the thermal processing zone, i.e. the cooking hob and oven. Assuming that the kitchen furniture are not arranged only on one wall, the triangle can be created in a very simple way. The distance between the refrigerator and the sink and between the sink and the stove should be approximately 1.5 m. The next side of the triangle is longer, so the refrigerator and the stove in this arrangement will be separated by a greater distance – for example 2 m. Maintaining appropriate proportions and, above all, close proximity between these points will significantly reduce the need to move around the kitchen. People who spend many hours cooking should appreciate this solution.
Ergonomic countertop height
Kitchen ergonomics largely depends on the height of countertops. There are several slightly different approaches to this matter. According to one concept, the optimal height is 85 cm. Especially in a smaller room that is difficult to divide into zones, the countertops usually have the same height. However, it is important to remember that people’s heights vary. The textbook height of 85 cm can sometimes be replaced by an approach whereby the countertop should be approx. 10 cm below the elbow of the person standing at it. Owners of larger kitchens can afford various heights in individual zones. According to experts, a countertop used primarily for peeling vegetables and fruits can be slightly higher, for example at a height of 1 m. The optimal height for a sink is 90 cm, while the stove can be placed even 10 cm lower. Such a solution makes sense – each activity performed in the kitchen requires a slightly different hand position.
Kitchen island
Kitchens furnished from scratch can be divided into several zones:
- cooking,
- preparation,
- washing up,
- food supplies.
The most ergonomic and in line with the working triangle principle solution seems to be the one in which the preparation zone, where activities such as peeling, cutting or mixing take place, separates the cooking zone from the washing zone and is located in a corner. The location of the supplies zone is less important because we usually reach for them before we start cooking. On the other hand, locating the preparation zone at the junction of walls may result in a shortage of working space. In such a situation, creating additional usable space in the form of a kitchen island seems to be a good solution. This is a very convenient solution, because the island can play a versatile role and it can also be used for storing supplies, preparing meals, and also their consuming if chairs are placed on the other side. When the kitchen forms one room with the living room, the island serves as a separation between these zones.
Modern Box kitchen drawers
The ergonomics of work in the kitchen is influenced not only by the zones, but also by good planning of the arrangement of supplies and kitchen utensils. A well-thought-out arrangement of drawers and cabinets allows you to save a lot of time. Modern Box kitchen drawers are a very interesting solution. They have been designed in such a way as to organise the space in the best possible way. Kitchen appliances and products do not have to remain on top, because each of them has its own place in this system. Modern Box kitchen drawers can easily be mounted in cargo cabinets, so you can fit much more in them. The system has load capacity of up to 40 kg, which increases its functionality. Modern Box kitchen drawers allow for full extension that helps to find the necessary utensils easier. The soft close system increases the comfort of household members.
Convenient sliding door system
Modern Box kitchen drawers are not the only innovation in the ergonomic kitchen related to cabinets. A sliding door system is also a very useful solution. Following the rules of the working triangle reduces the gaps between countertops and free space. Sliding doors are therefore a great convenience because they do not open outwards, giving people in the kitchen much more freedom and greater access to kitchen resources.
When designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating it, it is really worth taking the principles of ergonomics into account!
