What is a good size kitchen?

The kitchen is considered to be the centre of the home, and the kitchen island is considered to be the centre of the kitchen. It is a gathering place in the kitchen where people congregate to prepare food, eat, and converse. As a result, it is essential that in addition to its aesthetic value, it also possesses a high level of functionality and practicality. In order to achieve the highest possible level of ergonomics and practicality in your newly renovated kitchen, it is a smart idea to work towards the standard Australian dimensions.

Is the height of the benchtop that you currently have in your kitchen too low? In all seriousness, at what height should it be? Kitchen designers certainly have an easier time of things when they have standard dimensions to work with because this provides a solid, workable framework on which to build an effective and secure kitchen design.

Hitch Property Constructions has an extensive range of kitchen renovation Melbourne to take the hassle out of deciding the right furniture that matches.

KICKBOARD HEIGHT

The height of a kickboard is typically between 90 and 150 millimetres and is spaced approximately 50 millimetres away from the carcas of the cabinet. The height can range anywhere from 100mm to 200mm in total. The depth of the kickboard is fifty millimetres (measured from the front of the floor cabinet carcas and excluding the door).

STANDARD KITCHEN BENCHTOP HEIGHT

Standard benchtop height is 900mm. However, it can range anywhere from 850 millimetres to 1000 millimetres depending on your height. This is the measurement from the finished floor to the highest point of the benchtop. However, the height of the working bench can be anywhere from 850 millimetres to 1050 millimetres.

STANDARD BENCHTOP DEPTH

Many individuals get the dimensions of the benchtop width and depth mixed up. Benchtops can be any width (and the width will depend on the material that is used for the benchtop), but the standard depth for benchtops in Australia right now is 600 millimetres deep. (A benchtop depth of 450 millimetres is typically found in older homes' kitchens.)

Benchtops typically have a depth of 600 millimetres (mm). But before we get to that, let's take a look at the depth of your refrigerator. Make the necessary adjustments to the depth of your benchtop so that the refrigerator does not stick out past the row of cabinets in your kitchen.

STANDARD BENCHTOP THICKNESS

Most Australian benchtops are engineered stones (Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz, Essastone, Smartstone) or laminate. The latter is 33mm thick, while engineered stone is 20mm or a multiple. If you want engineered stone, 40mm looks well-proportioned.

Laminate is by far the most popular material for use as a countertop, and its typical thickness is 33 millimetres. It is constructed with a substrate of particle board or MDF that is 32 millimetres thick, and a piece of laminate that is 0.8 millimetres thick is glued to it.

The type of material that is used to make the benchtop will, of course, have an effect on the thickness that is achieved by the surface. Granite, limestone, and engineered stones like Caesarstone are some of the other materials that can be used for benchtops. They typically come in slabs that are 20 millimetres thick, and if the tops need to be thicker, the edges are built up by another 20 millimetres.

• Laminate benchtop thickness = 33mm
• Granite / limestone thickness = 20mm (or 40mm with built up edge)
• Caesarstone (engineered stone) = 20mm (or 40mm with built up edge)

When working with kitchen bench heights within the range of 1050 millimetres in height, you need to exercise caution. When installed, home appliances such as dishwashers will leave a significant space between themselves and the benchtop. You might want to think about elevating the height of the dishwasher by installing a drawer either underneath it or above it. Either of these options would work.

STANDARD BENCHTOP DEPTHS FOR BREAKFAST BARS

• 300mm
• 450mm
• 600mm

STANDARD BENCHTOP DEPTHS FOR KITCHEN ISLANDS

• 600mm
• 750mm
• 900mm
• 1200mm

The benchtop edge overhang is 20mm from the front face (door/drawer) of the floor cabinet.

FLOOR CABINETS

720 millimetres (plus or minus 4 millimetres) is the standard height for floor cabinets. However, the kickboard is not included in this price. Cabinet depth should ideally not be greater than 600 millimetres (handles excluded). The typical depth of a floor cabinet is 580 millimetres, which includes the thickness of the door.

720 millimetres is the standard height for stock or do-it-yourself base (floor) cabinets, and 560 millimetres is the standard depth (without the door). In most cases, the width of floor cabinets expands by increments of either 100 or 150 millimetres.

The maximum door width that can be accommodated by a base cabinet is 600 millimetres. This is because of the weight loading that the door is putting on the door hinges. If the door were any wider, there is a good chance that it would cave in under the pressure of the weight. You are able to get around this by installing two hinges on the very top of the door (one hinge under the other).

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STANDARD KITCHEN DOOR GAP SIZE

The standard kitchen door gap size (distance between doors) is 3mm.

For instance, if the width of a cabinet with one door is 500 millimetres, then the width of the door will be 497 millimetres (500-3mm).

A cabinet with double doors has a width of 900 millimetres, and the width of each door is 447 millimetres ((900-6mm)/2).

Additionally measuring 3 millimetres is the door gap that exists between the underside of the benchtop and the top of the floor cabinet door.

STANDARD DIMENSIONS FOR STOCK / DIY WALL CABINETS

The height of a typical wall cabinet is 720 millimetres (plus or minus 4 millimetres). Wall cabinet depth should ideally not be more than 350 millimetres (handles excluded). At a minimum, there should be a clear space of 280 millimetres from the back of the cabinet. My preference is for a clear space minimum of 300 millimetres, which allows for easy storage of plates with large diameters.

Wall cabinets purchased in stock or built by the homeowner typically have dimensions of 720 millimetres high by 300 millimetres deep (without the door). In contrast to the floor cabinets, the widths of the wall cabinets typically increase by increments of either 100 or 150 millimetres.

Dimensions shown below do not include the door.

• 300mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (1 door)
• 450mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (1 door)
• 600mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (1 door or 2 doors)
• 750mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (2 doors)
• 900mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (2 doors)
• 1050mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (2 doors)
• 1200mm wide x 720mm high x 300mm deep (2 doors)

STANDARD TALL CABINET HEIGHT

The height of a typical tall cabinet, such as a pantry or wall oven, is 2073 millimetres, give or take 20 millimetres.

The height is calculated by adding the heights of the floor cabinets, wall cabinets, and splashbacks (720 millimetres plus 33 millimetres plus 600 millimetres equals 2073 millimetres plus or minus 20 millimetres). The depth of a tall cabinet is typically 600 millimetres.

STANDARD KITCHEN HEIGHT

The height of a typical kitchen is 2223 millimetres, give or take 20 millimetres. The height is found by adding the height of the kickboard, the height of the floor unit, the thickness of the benchtop, the height of the splashback, and the height of the wall unit:

150mm + 720mm + 33mm + 600mm + 720mm = 2223mm +/- 20mm.

SPLASHBACK HEIGHT (UNDER WALL CABINETS)

600 millimetres is the height that is typically used for kitchen splashbacks. The lowest acceptable splashback height is 450 millimetres. If you have a wall unit over a sink, there should be at least 600 millimetres of space between the top of the sink and the bottom of the wall unit. This is the minimum splashback height required.

RANGEHOOD HEIGHT ABOVE GAS COOKTOP

600 millimetres is the height that is typically used for kitchen splashbacks. The lowest acceptable splashback height is 450 millimetres. If you have a wall unit over a sink, there should be at least 600 millimetres of space between the top of the sink and the bottom of the wall unit. This is the minimum splashback height required.

STANDARD FRIDGE CAVITY DIMENSIONS

The standard cavity or space in a refrigerator is 900 millimetres wide by 1800 millimetres high by 600 millimetres deep.

In the Australian kitchen industry, leaving a standard fridge space that was 1800 millimetres high, 900 millimetres wide, and 600 millimetres deep was once a generally accepted practise. This was quite some time ago.

The top-mounted refrigerator was the most common type of refrigerator sold in Australia at the time, so this "standard fridge space" was designed to accommodate top-mounted refrigerators of all available models.

To our great regret, there is no such thing as a standard size for refrigerators.

STANDARD OVEN / WALL OVEN DIMENSIONS

The typical dimensions of an under-bench oven are 600 millimetres across and 600 millimetres high. The oven that is built into the bench can also function as a wall oven (and vice-versa). The typical dimensions of a pizza oven are 900 millimetres wide by 600 millimetres high.

Wall ovens typically have dimensions of 600 millimetres across and 600 millimetres or 900 millimetres in height. Sometimes wall ovens can be 900 millimetres wide and 600 millimetres high (e.g. pizza ovens).

FREESTANDING OVEN DIMENSIONS

Standard sizes of kitchen appliances such as freestanding ovens or ranges (be they gas or electric) come in five standard widths.

• 540mm
• 600mm
• 750mm
• 900mm
• 1200mm

These are nominal dimensions (i.e. not exact but very close to) as different appliance manufacturers have varying standards.

STANDARD DISHWASHER DIMENSIONS

The typical dimensions of a dishwasher are 598 millimetres in width, 600 millimetres in depth, and 820 millimetres to 870 millimetres in height (using height-adjustable legs). The dimensions of the cavity in a standard dishwasher are as follows: 600 millimetres wide, 600 millimetres deep, and 870 millimetres high.

Kitchen designers certainly have an easier time of things when they have standard dimensions to work with because it provides a solid, workable framework within which to develop an effective and secure design.

Check out our range of kitchen renovation at Hitch Property Constructions.

STANDARD ISLAND BENCH

Distance 

The galley kitchen with an island bench remains a popular choice. If you want to instal one, allow for 1200 mm of clearance between the kitchen row and the island bench. It can be difficult to move around in a small kitchen if several people are working there at once or if children are running amok. A kitchen is less efficient as a place of work when there is too much space between the various appliances.

Width and depth 

Depending on the size of your kitchen and the available space, you can place a bench of any length at the island. Choose an engineered stone slab as your benchtop material and you will be limited only by its physical dimensions. The standard slab size is 3060 mm by 1440 mm, but some vendors provide extra-large jumbo slabs that eliminate the need for an unattractive seam. An island with a width of 1200 mm would be suitable for accommodating bar stools on either side. To avoid discomfort, you should check the legroom.

Legroom

Eat breakfast or a quick snack on the bar stools that surround the island bench in the morning or as you're getting ready to leave the house. There needs to be at least 300 mm of legroom under the benchtop for someone to sit in comfort. In order to find out how much of your benchtop can overhang without being supported, you should contact the kitchen's manufacturer.

Walkway 

Pave a 1000-millimeter-wide path on either side of the island seat. Because of this, people won't have to twist and turn to get where they're going.

Fridge 

Fridges can be found in a number of different dimensions. Plan on giving a refrigerator with a single door about 800 millimetres in width and 780 millimetres in depth. Usually, the width of a double-door fridge is around 1200 mm and the depth is around 850 mm. If you already know which fridge you want, it's a good idea to check the owner's manual for its ventilation space requirements.

Oven

Whether it is freestanding or installed in the wall, the typical width of an oven is 600 millimeters. Both the 700mm and the 900mm options are standard, and they're great for hosting large gatherings of family and friends.

Overhead cupboards

There needs to be no less than 600 mm of clearance between the top of the counter and the top of the upper cabinets. If you want to instal a gas cooktop in your kitchen, however, you'll need to leave a clearance of at least 650 mm. Read the range hood and stove top manuals and follow their directions to the letter. Please consult a licenced plumber or electrician if you have any doubts about the state of your home's plumbing or electrical system.

Dishwasher

While most dishwashers and dish drawers measure 600 millimetres in width, narrower models that measure 450 millimetres are also available for those living in a smaller space.

Sink

Sinks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. A double sink will require a benchtop with a length of about 800 millimetres and a width of about 480 millimeters, not including any drainage space. The sink is about 200 millimetres deep. The standard dimensions for a single-bowl kitchen sink are 550 mm in length and about 500 mm in width.

Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island

Space around the island

In order to avoid bottlenecks and poor circulation, you should prioritise allocating sufficient space around your island from the outset of your kitchen design.

A minimum of 900 millimetres of space should be allowed between the kitchen island and any stationary objects like walls, other benchtops, or furniture. Because of this, people can walk around the island normally without having to swerve to the side.

If you want people to be able to stand while they work at the island or in other parts of the kitchen that face the island, you'll need to allocate even more space there. Cooktops, sinks, and the fronts of appliances like the fridge and the dishwasher are all examples of such spaces.

There should be no more than 900 millimetres of counter space between the island's work surfaces and the rest of the benches in a single-cook kitchen. However, a distance of between one and two metres is optimal.

Space behind diners

Let's pretend the side of your island where people will be sitting is hidden behind a bench, a wall, or some other piece of furniture. If so, use these dimensions to make sure there's enough room for diners to stand up and move around. Space behind a seated person may be required, depending on the room's layout.

The minimum pull-out distance for chairs and stools is 600 mm if the space behind the seating won't be used as a walkway. Behind a seated diner, you'll need at least 900 mm and preferably 1,100 mm to move around freely.

Height of the island

In the kitchen, benchtops with heights of 950 millimetres and even more are all the rage. Benchtops should be at least 920 millimetres high or the height that is most comfortable for your family; 900 to 950 millimetres is an ideal height for a bar stool.

Construct a single-level island bench to accommodate the main cook in the family if members of the household have varying heights.

The counter top can be adjusted to a standing height for cooking, while the tabletop can be set lower or higher to accommodate seated or standing diners.

If you want to dine comfortably at your island table, raise it to a height of 750 millimetres. Don't bother bringing in special chairs for the table.

Think about the thickness of your benchtop when deciding how high to make your kitchen island. Thin stainless steel, 33-mm laminate, and 40-mm granite are just some of the options for benchtop thickness.

Stand-up counters make it easy to prepare meals while working at a height that's comfortable for you, while a lower or higher dining area makes it easy to use chairs or bar stools.

If you want to dine comfortably at your island table, raise it to a height of 750 millimetres. Make do with commonplace chairs at dinner.

Take the thickness of your benchtop into account when deciding how high to mount your kitchen island. Thin stainless steel, 33-mm laminate, and 40-mm granite are just some of the materials used for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

Not only are safety regulations essential when planning a kitchen, but so are other norms. Standards are issued by professional or government regulatory authorities and must be adhered to.

Conclusion

Is your current kitchen benchtop too low for your comfort? If we're being completely serious, how tall should it be? Having a set of standard dimensions to work from makes the lives of kitchen designers much easier, as it provides a sturdy foundation on which to construct a functional kitchen layout. In Australia, kitchen countertops are typically made of laminate or engineered stone like Caesarstone, Quantum Quartz, Essastone, or Smartstone. Engineered stone is typically 20 mm thick, while natural stone is typically 33 mm thick.

Aside from wood, other materials that can be used for benchtops include granite, limestone, and engineered stones. A base cabinet can accommodate a door up to 600 millimetres wide. This is because the door is putting a lot of pressure on the hinges. There's a good chance the door would give in to the weight if it were any bigger. An average kitchen counter top is 2223 mm high, give or take 20 mm.

Standard for high cabinets is a depth of 600 mm, with a 450 mm splashback being the bare minimum allowed. A standard size for refrigerators or under-bench ovens does not exist. For kitchen planners, it's much more convenient to work with universally accepted sizes. A standard width for a dishwasher is 598 millimetres. One of the most common layouts for desks and stools in modern homes is a galley kitchen with an island bench.

It is recommended that a distance of 900 mm be left between the kitchen island and any fixed features, such as walls, other benchtops, or furniture. Make sure people can get around the island without having to make any sharp turns by paving a path a metre wide on both sides. When designing a kitchen for a single chef, the maximum distance that should exist between the work surfaces of the island and the other benches is 900 mm. Minimum clearance behind a seated diner is 900 mm, and ideally, 1,100 mm is needed for comfortable movement. The optimal height for a family's benchtop is between 920 and 1,050 millimeters.

The perfect height for a bar stool is between 900 and 950 millimetres. With a stand-up counter, you can easily prepare meals at a convenient working height.

Content Summary

• The kitchen is considered to be the centre of the home, and the kitchen island is considered to be the centre of the kitchen.
• Is the height of the benchtop that you currently have in your kitchen too low?
• When installed, home appliances such as dishwashers will leave a significant space between themselves and the benchtop.
• The maximum door width that can be accommodated by a base cabinet is 600 millimetres.
• For instance, if the width of a cabinet with one door is 500 millimetres, then the width of the door will be 497 millimetres (500-3mm).A cabinet with double doors has a width of 900 millimetres, and the width of each door is 447 millimetres ((900-6mm)/2).Additionally measuring 3 millimetres is the door gap that exists between the underside of the benchtop and the top of the floor cabinet door.
• The depth of a tall cabinet is typically 600 millimetres.
• In the Australian kitchen industry, leaving a standard fridge space that was 1800 millimetres high, 900 millimetres wide, and 600 millimetres deep was once a generally accepted practise.
• The top-mounted refrigerator was the most common type of refrigerator sold in Australia at the time, so this "standard fridge space" was designed to accommodate top-mounted refrigerators of all available models.
• Width and depth Depending on the size of your kitchen and the available space, you can place a bench of any length at the island.
• Pave a 1000-millimeter-wide path on either side of the island seat.
• In order to avoid bottlenecks and poor circulation, you should prioritise allocating sufficient space around your island from the outset of your kitchen design.
• If you want people to be able to stand while they work at the island or in other parts of the kitchen that face the island, you'll need to allocate even more space there.
• There should be no more than 900 millimetres of counter space between the island's work surfaces and the rest of the benches in a single-cook kitchen.
• However, a distance of between one and two metres is optimal.
• Space behind dinersLet's pretend the side of your island where people will be sitting is hidden behind a bench, a wall, or some other piece of furniture.
• If so, use these dimensions to make sure there's enough room for diners to stand up and move around.
• Space behind a seated person may be required, depending on the room's layout.
• The minimum pull-out distance for chairs and stools is 600 mm if the space behind the seating won't be used as a walkway.
• Behind a seated diner, you'll need at least 900 mm and preferably 1,100 mm to move around freely.
• Height of the islandIn the kitchen, benchtops with heights of 950 millimetres and even more are all the rage.
• Construct a single-level island bench to accommodate the main cook in the family if members of the household have varying heights.
• If you want to dine comfortably at your island table, raise it to a height of 750 millimetres.
• Don't bother bringing in special chairs for the table.
• Think about the thickness of your benchtop when deciding how high to make your kitchen island.
• Make do with commonplace chairs at dinner.
• Not only are safety regulations essential when planning a kitchen, but so are other norms.