A good part of kitchen design has to do with correct dimensions. There are guidelines for everything from appropriate counter space to walkways behind seating areas. Too, it is important that clearances and tolerances on appliances are met and the best source for that is the manufacturer of course. Whether it is the space required on the hinge side of the refrigerator (often more than you might imagine) or the space required for a built-in oven cut-out, each dimension is either right or wrong. It will work or it won’t, simple as that. And your designer will help you through all this.
Here are some helpful tips on properly placing a few key kitchen components:
Chandeliers are best placed 30" to 36" over a table. This height provides good lighting and a warm comfortable feeling for those seated around the table
Wood hoods require at least 30" clearance above the burners. All-metal hoods may be installed in less than 30" but in all cases, manufacturer's recommendations and local codes must be met.
The distance between islands is always critical if the room is to function. 42" is the minimum for a kitchen with one primary cook. If two cooks work in the space at the same time, 48" is required.
One last interesting dimension: the correct height to place a television. The logical answer is the correct one: the center of the screen should be at the height of the viewers’ eyes. Placing a small television in the kitchen might mean that it is higher up on a wall to accommodate the person working in the kitchen. If the TV will be viewed seated in a standard chair, then it’s usually about 40” to 46“above the floor. There is a lot of discussion on how far back one should sit when viewing the television and I will leave that to the manufacturer or you mother. I still remember my mom telling me that I would ruin my eyes by sitting too close to the TV!
In a future blog, I’ll discuss some dimensions that are important in bathroom design.
