Here is a summary of 39 kitchen design rules that will help you design and plan your new kitchen. I have listed below what I think are the most important considerations when designing a kitchen. Show
Memorize or bookmark (Ctrl+D) these kitchen layout rules and use it in conjunction with your own kitchen layout. These design rules are not set in concrete and you can vary the distances but they should be considered minimum workable distances. Rule 1 - Foot Traffic Crossing Kitchen Work TriangleYour kitchen should not be the main thoroughfare to the rest of your home. This means foot traffic should not cross the kitchen work triangle. (An exception can be made for the refrigerator). In Figure 1 (below) you can see that the wall oven is located to the left of the hallway door and that foot traffic intersects the work triangle. As this is a main thoroughfare to the rest of the house, it is important to move the oven to a safer area. Rule 1 Fig. 1 - Foot traffic crosses the work triangleIn Figure 2 (below) the wall oven does not become a safety issue as we have swapped the wall oven position with the refrigerator. Rule 1 Fig. 2 - The wall oven is moved to a safer locationThe new position of the wall oven will also satisfy kitchen Rule #18 (a minimum 400 mm (16″) set down space is required beside an oven). The new position of the refrigerator will also satisfy kitchen Rule#22 (A minimum of 400 mm (16″) landing space is required on the door opening side of a fridge). Note that it is OK for a refrigerator to be outside of the work triangle as this minimises frequent visits by other members of the family interrupting your cooking or preparation activities. Rule 2 - Total Length Of Kitchen Work TriangleThe total length of the kitchen work triangle (the cumulative distance between the cooktop / fridge / sink) should not exceed 7000 mm (23′). The ideal length of the work triangle lies between 4000 mm (13′) and 6000 mm (19′). For those with large kitchens, consider having 2 or 3 separate zones. Rule 2 - The kitchen work triangle is measured from the centres of the oven/cooktop, sink and fridge. Can you spot a kitchen design rule error in this drawing?Rule 3 - Minimum Opening Between Kitchen Cabinets In A DoorwayThe minimum opening between kitchen cabinets in a doorway should be 800 mm (31 1/2″). Rule 4 - Interference Of Appliance Doors / Entry DoorsAppliance doors or entry doors should not interfere with the work centres. Rule 5 - Maximise Continuous Benchtop SpaceYou should not place a full height cabinet or appliance between any two of the major work centres. Figure 1 (below) shows the refrigerator dividing the cleaning work centre and the cooking work centre. The refrigerator needs to be moved elsewhere. Kitchen design rule #5 figure 1 - you should not place a full height cabinet or appliance between any two of the major work centresFigure 2 (below) shows the refrigerator moved to the left of the cleaning work centre. This is a much more favourable kitchen layout as the bench space is now continuous. Kitchen design rule #5 figure 2 - you should not place a full height cabinet or appliance between any two of the major work centresRule 6 - Minimum Space Between BenchtopsA minimum of 1000 mm (39″) of floor space between countertops is recommended (1200 mm or 47″ is preferred). The bare minimum distance from the dishwasher to the kitchen island is 900 mm (36″). The bare minimum distance from the underbench oven to the kitchen island is 900 mm (36″). Kitchen design rule #6 - minimum distance between kitchen benchtop and islandRule 7 - Minimum Edge Space Between Benchtop And Island For Two CooksIf there are two cooks in the kitchen a minimum of 1200 mm (47″) is required for one person to edge past the other by turning and passing with bodies parallel. Kitchen design rule #7 - minimum distance from benchtop to island in a 2 cook kitchenRule 8 - Minimum Passing Space Between Benchtop And Island For Two CooksFor two people to pass with ease, a 1500 mm (59″) between countertops is required. Kitchen design rule #8 - ideal distance from benchtop to island in a 2 cook kitchenRule 9 - Ideal Sink Position Within Kitchen Work TriangleThe sink should be in the centre of the work triangle as it is the most used area in the kitchen. Kitchen design rule #9 - sink should be in the centre of the kitchen work triangleRule 10 - Sink To Inside Corner Benchtop SpaceAt least 300 mm (12″) of counter space should be allowed from the edge of the sink to the inside corner of the counter top. Kitchen design rule #10 - distance from edge of the sink to the inside corner of the counter topRule 11 - Benchtop Space Either Side Of SinkThe sink area should have counter space either side of it. The total workspace should be a minimum of 1050 mm (41″). Rule 12 - Dishwasher To Inside Corner Benchtop SpaceWhen placing a dishwasher near a corner, allow at least a 500 mm (20″) space from the corner for ease of access. Kitchen design rule #12 - dishwasher distance to the countertop inside cornerRule 13 - Dishwasher Standing SpaceYou must allow standing space in front of the dishwasher for unloading. Rule 14 - Space Between Cooktop And WindowThe minimum safe distance from a window to an electric cooktop should be 400 mm (16″). The minimum safe distance from a window to a gas cooktop should be 500 mm (20″). (Best to check with local government guidelines in your area). Rule 15 - Benchtop Space Either Side Of CooktopThe minimum landing space either side of a cooktop is 300 mm (12″). Kitchen design rule #15 - minimum landing space either side of a cooktopRule 16 - Cooktop To Inside Corner Benchtop SpaceAt least 300 mm (12″) of counter space should be allowed from the edge of the cooking surface to the inside corner of the counter top. Kitchen design rule #16 - countertop space from the edge of the cooking surface to the inside corner of the counter topRule 17 - Air Extraction / RangehoodExtraction of air is required at cooking surfaces. Kitchen design rule #17 - extraction of air is required at cooking surfacesRule 18 - Oven Benchtop Set Down SpaceA minimum 400 mm (16″) set down space is required beside an oven. If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200 mm (47″) of the oven is OK (except where this crosses a major walkway). Kitchen design rule #18 - set down space required beside an ovenRule 19 - Microwave Benchtop Set Down SpaceA minimum 400 mm (16″) set down space is required beside a microwave oven. If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200 mm (47″) of the oven is OK. (except where this crosses a major walkway). Rule 20 - Microwave PlacementTry and keep the microwave within the most active part of the kitchen. Rule 21 - Microwave Height Above The FloorThe height of the microwave (base) above the floor should be between 900 mm (36″) and 1250 mm (49″). Rule 22 - Refrigerator Benchtop Landing SpaceA minimum of 400 mm (16″) landing space is required on the door opening side of a fridge. If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200 mm (47″) of the fridge is OK (except where this crosses a major walkway). Rule 23 - Kitchen Appliance Services PlacementConsideration to the location of services requires careful planning. To prevent appliances (i.e dishwashers etc) projecting past the countertop you must place the services in a cabinet beside the appliance. Rule 24 - Kitchen Smoke DetectorsSmoke detectors should be installed in the appropriate location for the type used. Rule 25 - Kitchen Fire Extinguisher And Fire BlanketConsider installing a fire extinguisher and fire blanket which is easily accessible in the kitchen. Rule 26 - Kitchen Preparation Area DimensionsThe preparation area should be a minimum of 900 mm (36″) in width. Rule 27 - Kitchen Serving Area DimensionsLikewise, the serving area should be a minimum of 900 mm (36″) width. Rule 28 - Kitchen Preparation Area For Two CooksIf there are two cooks and you don’t have 2 separate 900 mm (36″) wide preparation areas, a consolidated area of 1500 mm (59″) wide is good. Rule 29 - Storage Of Regularly Used Items In The KitchenStore regularly used items between eye and hip level. Rule 30 - Safe Storage Height1800 mm (71″) from the floor is considered to be the maximum safe storage height. Rule 31 - Kitchen Items Storage LocationYou should consider items to be stored at the first or last place of use. Heavy equipment should be stored near floor level. Rule 32 - Benchtop Height ConsiderationsWhen considering the benchtop height, it should be designed for the cook to work without raising the hand above the elbow. The ideal benchtop height (in relation to your height) is just below the elbow.
Rule 33 - Chair Pull-Out DistanceThe minimum chair pull-out distance from the table to the wall is 600 mm (24″). Kitchen design rule #33 - chair pullout distance from the table to the wallRule 34 - Chair To Wall Distance (Edge Past)A minimum of 900 mm (36″) in depth allows another to person to edge behind a seated diner. Kitchen design rule #34 - space behind a seated dinerRule 35 - Chair To Wall Distance (Walk Past)A minimum of 1100 mm (43″) in depth provides walking space behind a seated diner. Kitchen design rule #35 - walking space behind a seated dinerRule 36 - Kitchen Appliance Installation InstructionsAlways comply with manufacturers installation instructions for appliances. Rule 37 - Adherence To National Kitchen StandardsAll kitchen designs should comply with national kitchen standards. Rule 38 - Natural Kitchen LightingWhen working out natural lighting for the kitchen a good rule of thumb is no less than 10% of the kitchen floor area. Rule 39 - Natural Kitchen VentilationNatural ventilation should be provided by windows, doors or other devices that can be opened and closed. Allow for a minimum of 5% of the total floor area. by Kevin Sorby Updated on: December 5, 2022 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Kevin Sorby I have been designing and building kitchens for over 20 years. I am a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and cabinetmaker. Should sink be across from stove?The ideal distance between the stove and sink (or any two points in the triangle) is between 4 and 9 feet. If properly distanced, it should give your work area enough space for you to move around and easily maneuver without bumping into everyone else.
Does kitchen sink have to be centered?Your sink should not necessarily be centered under the window. It can function perfectly well regardless of where it is, as long as there is a good source of water. In modern interior design, though, placing it in a kitchen island or below the cabinet is normal.
Can I change the location of my sink?Moving the sink is almost always possible. The only problem with moving it is how the sink drain is vented. A drain must have a vent so that the water can move freely. Moving the drain and/or the water is very simple in most cases.
Where should a sink be placed on a countertop?Most sink manufacturers provide a template. Position the template so it is centered on the sink cabinet and is at least 1 1/2 inches back from the countertop's front edge. If your countertop is deeper than 24 inches, place it farther back, but not more than 4 inches.
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