Kitchen Guides
How to Achieve an Ergonomic Kitchen Design
Discover 10 ways to an efficient kitchen layout that will ensure comfort and convenience while cooking
Kitchen ergonomics optimises the design of the kitchen and adapts to the individual needs and working style of the user to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity while cooking. Additionally, an ergonomic kitchen design reduces unnecessary body movements like bending or twisting to reach for things, thus minimising mental or physical stress while performing day-to-day kitchen activities. If you are looking for an effortless way to cook in your home, here are the steps to an ergonomic kitchen layout.
2. Introduce a kitchen work triangle
A work triangle connects three important spots in the kitchen – the refrigerator (storage zone), the sink (cleaning zone), and the cooktop (cooking zone). It is essential to keep an optimum distance between these three areas so that one can move freely between each zone and work better.
Tip: Take a printout of your kitchen layout and draw a triangle connecting the cooktop, the sink and the refrigerator. As per studies, the length of each side of the triangle should range between 4-9 feet. The total length of all three sides of the triangle should be between 13-26 feet.
Browse through more ergonomic kitchen designs with efficient work triangles
A work triangle connects three important spots in the kitchen – the refrigerator (storage zone), the sink (cleaning zone), and the cooktop (cooking zone). It is essential to keep an optimum distance between these three areas so that one can move freely between each zone and work better.
Tip: Take a printout of your kitchen layout and draw a triangle connecting the cooktop, the sink and the refrigerator. As per studies, the length of each side of the triangle should range between 4-9 feet. The total length of all three sides of the triangle should be between 13-26 feet.
Browse through more ergonomic kitchen designs with efficient work triangles
3. Introduce adequate drawers
Install differently-sized drawers with organisers for your plates, cookware, and cutlery. These pull-outs open to their entire length, enable a full view of their contents and allow access to the stored items without too much bending.
Install differently-sized drawers with organisers for your plates, cookware, and cutlery. These pull-outs open to their entire length, enable a full view of their contents and allow access to the stored items without too much bending.
4. Ensure required clearance heights
To achieve an ergonomic kitchen layout, ensure that the minimum clearance or the distance between the countertop and the overhead cabinets is at least 2 feet. The depth of the overhead cabinets should be around 15 inches so that you don’t bump your head with these cabinets while cooking.
Also adjust the height of the microwave such that it is convenient to use and to take out hot food. Ideally it should be placed 13-18 inches above the kitchen countertop.
To achieve an ergonomic kitchen layout, ensure that the minimum clearance or the distance between the countertop and the overhead cabinets is at least 2 feet. The depth of the overhead cabinets should be around 15 inches so that you don’t bump your head with these cabinets while cooking.
Also adjust the height of the microwave such that it is convenient to use and to take out hot food. Ideally it should be placed 13-18 inches above the kitchen countertop.
5. Install awning-style overhead cabinets
Go for awning- or uplift-style overhead cabinets instead of cabinets with the classic hinged doors. The lift-up movement of the shutter is practical, easy to use and ensures better safety as it does not have the tendency to hit the head (a painful experience which many of us may have had when a hinged door opens too suddenly). Additionally, a top-hung cabinet with this kind of shutter can be up to 3 feet 6 inches across, so you will have fewer cabinets to deal with and can organise better with more space in a single cabinet.
Go for awning- or uplift-style overhead cabinets instead of cabinets with the classic hinged doors. The lift-up movement of the shutter is practical, easy to use and ensures better safety as it does not have the tendency to hit the head (a painful experience which many of us may have had when a hinged door opens too suddenly). Additionally, a top-hung cabinet with this kind of shutter can be up to 3 feet 6 inches across, so you will have fewer cabinets to deal with and can organise better with more space in a single cabinet.
6. Introduce bottle pull-outs
There should be quick access to the kitchen essentials while cooking. One way to do so is by introducing bottle pull-outs with two or three shelves. Use them to store frequently used ingredients that come in jars or bottles, such as sauces, cooking oils, seasonings and so on. Store the bottles according to size, as in this example, so that the various items are easy to find.
There should be quick access to the kitchen essentials while cooking. One way to do so is by introducing bottle pull-outs with two or three shelves. Use them to store frequently used ingredients that come in jars or bottles, such as sauces, cooking oils, seasonings and so on. Store the bottles according to size, as in this example, so that the various items are easy to find.
7. Go for single-layer storage
In an ergonomic kitchen design, consumables should ideally be stored in a way where they are all easily accessible. Take a look at this example, this pull-out not only works as a pantry but allows you to see and access all the kitchen supplies in one go.
Tip: The tall unit should always be placed at one end of the kitchen so that it does not break the continuity of the kitchen countertop.
In an ergonomic kitchen design, consumables should ideally be stored in a way where they are all easily accessible. Take a look at this example, this pull-out not only works as a pantry but allows you to see and access all the kitchen supplies in one go.
Tip: The tall unit should always be placed at one end of the kitchen so that it does not break the continuity of the kitchen countertop.
8. Go for corner units
Convert the inaccessible corners of L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens into functional space. Introduce modular accessories, as in this example, to optimise storage in the corners and allow easy access to the utensils kept there.
Convert the inaccessible corners of L-shaped and U-shaped kitchens into functional space. Introduce modular accessories, as in this example, to optimise storage in the corners and allow easy access to the utensils kept there.
9. Illuminate your work zones
It is essential to provide good lighting and illuminate all your work zones properly
It is essential to provide good lighting and illuminate all your work zones properly
- The overall general lighting should be adequate and centrally placed.
- Install task lighting above your cooktop so that there is ample light while cooking.
- Use LED down-lights or strip-lights underneath wall-mounted overhead cabinets to brighten the countertop where all the basic food preparation is done.
10. Bunch the electrical appliances together
Electrical appliances are not used all the time, so there is no need for them to take up precious counter space. Group things like toasters, juicers and blenders keep them within a single large cabinet instead of keeping them on the countertop. This is a great solution to creating an organised and clutter-free space in the kitchen.
Read more:
What Is an Ergonomic Kitchen?
10 Fundamental Kitchen Measurements You Need to Know
Tell us:
What problems do you face on a day-to-day basis while working in your kitchen? Let us know in Comments below.
Electrical appliances are not used all the time, so there is no need for them to take up precious counter space. Group things like toasters, juicers and blenders keep them within a single large cabinet instead of keeping them on the countertop. This is a great solution to creating an organised and clutter-free space in the kitchen.
Read more:
What Is an Ergonomic Kitchen?
10 Fundamental Kitchen Measurements You Need to Know
Tell us:
What problems do you face on a day-to-day basis while working in your kitchen? Let us know in Comments below.
In an ergonomic kitchen design, one customises the height of the kitchen countertop as per the height of the user to prevent any kind of discomfort or strain to the back while cooking. The position of the elbow works as a reference point to determine the exact height of the countertop. By rule of thumb, the countertop should be around 4 inches below the elbow when standing.