Ergonomics of the kitchen: basic principles. The best ideas for the rational organization of free space in the kitchen Vertical space in the kitchen

An additional task - in such conditions, they should not only create a practical and presentable interior, but also visually enlarge the space.

If we talk about a small kitchen, then this is complicated by the presence of some mandatory attributes in it. We are talking about appliances, a dining table and a work area, which should contain everything you need to perform the primary task in the kitchen - cooking.

There are a number of simple methods that can transform the kitchen space beyond recognition without additional costs. Here it is important to approach the issue comprehensively, because everything matters - lighting, colors, type of kitchen set, wall and floor decoration.

We recommend thinking about this at the planning stage, before starting repair work. This will allow you not only to bring your design ideas to life, but also to slightly adjust them, thereby visually enlarging the kitchen.

Use vertical space

Corner modules

I would especially like to highlight the corner modular systems. This option is considered the most practical, because it allows you to fill the most modest space with functionality.

As you can see, the corner in the kitchen shown in the photo is used to the maximum. There is a sink, as well as a wall cabinet, where it is convenient to hide the drying dish. The tabletop, which is gracefully curved at right angles, connects the set and makes it complete.

Corner modules help to beautifully furnish such a kitchen, where it is inconvenient to place a set in a straight line along one of the walls.

Keep Order

The key to a beautiful and spacious kitchen is the impeccable order on it. A perfectly clean countertop, a shiny faucet and sparkling glass on the shelves will immediately show everyone that you are a skilled housewife.

No matter how tired you are, take a couple of minutes to wash the dishes and carefully place them on the dryer. Don't let the floors gather dust, because shiny surfaces will visually enlarge your kitchen and cheer up everyone who gets on it.

Make sure you have enough storage sections. It is better if most of them are closed so that the contents are not conspicuous. But order must be in every drawer, on every shelf.

Believe that in addition to aesthetic pleasure from the results of the cleaning done, you yourself will perceive a clean kitchen differently.

Thinking long evenings about the layout of a new kitchen, we usually care about its aesthetics. But much more important is convenience and elementary safety. What are the principles of kitchen ergonomics?

Furniture arrangement

Avoid obstacles. A place for furniture should be chosen not only taking into account the harmony of colors and textures. When planning a set, consider: is it convenient to bend down to the bottom cabinet or reach for the top shelf? Is there enough space in the aisle? Think about the doors of cabinets, refrigerators, ovens. Suddenly you need to go through the kitchen when they are open, or at the same time open the adjacent

Arrangement of furniture in the kitchen: the minimum allowable dimensions of the aisles.

About the tricks of a small kitchen. Of course, when we talk about a small kitchen, ergonomics and convenience are the most important. You can use the space under the window - arrange shallow cabinets there. Or save space using appliances with combined functions (oven with microwave mode). It is very important to properly organize a corner cabinet - for example, use a roll-out system in it, which will allow you to fit a large number of kitchen utensils. And we advise you to abandon a large number of decorative elements of the facades of the kitchen - let the set be concise and functional.

For the convenience of working in the kitchen, the vertical dimensions of kitchen furniture and appliances are of great importance. The single height of the working surfaces creates a continuous working front, without gaps and protrusions. This allows you to move the dishes freely, for example, from the hob to the work surface and vice versa.

If you have lower back problems, order multi-level kitchen furniture. For a woman with a height of 170 cm, it is enough to raise the sink 10 cm higher, and lower the desktop below the stove (its standard height is 85 cm). As a result, the angle of inclination of the back will constantly change, the hostess will get less tired.

Thanks to the multi-level tabletop, the back of the hostess will be less tired.

In line of sight

Everything you need is at hand. Equally important is the level at which shelves and drawers will be located. The total height of kitchen equipment can be roughly divided into four zones.

At what height is a shelf that a woman of average height can reach without a stepladder? Where does “convenient” end and “not visible” begin?

Very low: from the floor to the level of 40 cm. This zone is inconvenient for use, it is poorly visible. It can be used to store medium-sized and heavy items that you rarely use as well.

Low: from 40 to 75 cm. At this height, large kitchen utensils or small household appliances can be stored in drawers or on cabinet shelves. Looking down is not very convenient.

Kitchen utensils, crockery, condiments - ie. things that you often use should be located in the zone of direct visibility.

Average: from 75 to 190 cm. At this level, all equipment is clearly visible - this is a suitable place for small and fragile items. It is good to store dishes, cutlery, frequently used products here.

High: above 190 cm. In this area, you can install another row of shelves - but only if absolutely necessary. Keep in mind that every time you need to get the necessary thing, you will have to “call for help” a stepladder or a chair. If this prospect does not scare you, put light and unbreakable items on these shelves.

Area of ​​accessibility of elements of kitchen equipment. According to the scheme, it is easy to assess what squats and inclinations the hostess has to do.

Security

Hang wall cabinets according to the height of the person who will cook. For example, for a hostess with a height of 170 cm, a distance of 45 cm from the work surface to the bottom of the cabinets is suitable. Otherwise, bumps on the forehead are inevitable.

The hood will work most efficiently if placed at a distance of 70-75 cm from an electric stove or 75-80 cm from a gas stove.

Line or zigzag? There are various options for the location of kitchen furniture and plumbing. It is not at all necessary to “press” objects against the wall - you can arrange a ledge in the form of a stove or, for example, a kitchen sink.

The stove (or hob) should be located away from the aisle so that hot pots and pans cannot be accidentally touched.

Maintain a distance of at least 400 mm between the stove and the sink so that splashes of water do not extinguish the fire.
This space can be occupied by a countertop.

The distance from the stove to the window must be at least 45 cm, otherwise there is a great risk of blowing out the fire or igniting the curtain.

Each element of kitchen equipment has its own “opening zone”. For example, in order to use the oven, the stove should be left at least 110 cm in front of it, but in front of the kitchen cabinet with drawers you can put a table after 90 cm.

Extend the life of household appliances

Put the washing machine and dishwasher as close as possible to the water and sewer risers. If you simply lengthen the hoses, then the load on the water pump will increase, and the equipment will wear out faster.

The stove should not be placed next to the refrigerator, otherwise the latter will quickly fail. Heating up from the stove, it will constantly work in an enhanced mode in order to maintain a low temperature in the chambers. The same can be said about the proximity of the oven and refrigerator built under the countertop.

Source 4living.ru

Svetlana Romanchuk | 10/14/2014 | 4054

Svetlana Romanchuk 14.10.2014 4054


Competent tips that will help make the kitchen truly comfortable, and everything will be at hand.

Even if you are the proud owner of a large kitchen, you will probably face the problem of lack of free space sooner or later. How to optimize the kitchen space and at the same time achieve comfort, coziness and beauty?

1. Rule of the triangle

Regardless of the size and shape of your kitchen, it can be roughly divided into three main areas: the cooking area (stove), the preparation and cutting area (sink), and the storage area (refrigerator).

For convenience, these zones should be at the same distance from each other and ideally be the vertices of a triangle, so that they can be reached only by turning or taking a few steps.

2. Everything has its place

In order to organize the work in the kitchen as practically as possible, it is worth storing items and products in the immediate vicinity of the place of their use. For example, frying pans, pots, potholders - at the stove; towels, detergents and cleaning products - at the sink; products that you use most often - next to work surfaces - in cabinets that are at hand.

Do not ignore all kinds of interior fittings for shelves and cabinets such as drawer dividers, containers, baskets, etc. It is thanks to them that you will be able to keep order and rationally organize the space. And you don’t have to spend extra time looking for the right device, it will have its rightful place.

For appliances that you use daily (kettle, coffee grinder, etc.), reserve a place where they will always be at hand.

3. Do not close tightly

When planning the arrangement of the kitchen, many prefer completely closed cabinets and shelves: they say, the latter will help hide the mess that reigns in them. However, such "deaf" cabinets do not have a very pleasant effect: they seem to narrow the room.

4. Make practical use of walls and cabinet doors

Try to make the most of not only lockers and tables, but also the space on the walls. Today there is a huge selection of wall storage devices: hanging stands and dryers, roof rails and hooks, magnetic strips for knives, etc.

Usually, locker doors serve no practical function other than to hide the contents. But in vain! After all, narrow shelves for jars of spices, detergents, brushes and sponges, as well as hooks for potholders and napkins can be attached to their reverse side.

5. Choose the right technique

Built-in household appliances look the most advantageous. However, if you prefer the most ordinary helpers, try to choose multifunctional appliances, such as a food processor with a blender, etc.

6. Battery under the table

In most typical kitchens, radiators are located in front of the window. You can’t do without them, but they take up a lot of usable space.

Try to place a small folding table in this place, which can be used as a cutting table or for eating alone. For such a table, it is enough to make a fixed base with an emphasis on the battery and a hinged lid.

A small kitchen should be functional. But aesthetics are also desirable! All this is not easy, but the realities dictate their own conditions: not all families can afford a "airfield kitchen". Therefore, you can find a lot of ready-made design techniques for small kitchens and furnish it correctly. And if you use them as a base, applying your own imagination to the design of the kitchen, then there can be a lot of options.

Interior

Maximum light is simply necessary for visible space.

A bright accent may well be curtains, a free wall (which, in general, is a luxury for a small kitchen!). It is important that some other elements of the interior intersect in colors with this accent.

Do not overload the kitchen with decor. Not the best option for a large ornament on wallpaper or in textiles. The abundance of prints or pictures on the walls, trinkets on the shelves that do not carry a functional load are not for small kitchens.

Set and necessary cozy kitchen furniture

When purchasing furniture for a small kitchen, it is wise to use custom-made options. It is important that every centimeter of a small space is involved.

By the way, kitchen furniture with an abundance of drawers, open shelves and small cabinets “steals” space. Moreover, it creates a feeling of clutter.

Sliding furniture doors are a good solution. When opened, they will not clutter up the free space. Cabinets-pencil cases on the one hand are not bad for small kitchens, because. allow you to use the vertical part of the room. However, their solidity requires binding to a specific place, which is not always good in conditions of space shortage.

For the dining area, a folding tabletop attached to a free wall will be ideal. If the dining table is stationary, you should give preference to a triangular, oval, round shape or use. Stools take up less space than chairs. Especially if you choose models that are placed one on top of the other, you can pick up a small or.

Folding table is very convenient for small kitchens. In addition, you can be sure that there will never be uncleaned dishes on the table.

The top and seats are made of transparent material, with chrome details, giving a feeling of more spaciousness.

Color solutions for a small, small-sized kitchen

If possible, do not place storage cabinets above the stove. Donate this place to . After all, ventilation in small rooms leaves much to be desired. And the smells of the kitchen are especially persistent.

In small kitchens, an extractor hood with replaceable filters is more often used. Such a hood is often part of a headset.

"Apron" for the kitchen is better to choose from tempered glass. Its solidity gives an advantage over tiles: you don’t have to fight for cleanliness between the joints. And if we compare the glass "apron" with popular plastic panels, the glass is washed much better, it does not absorb fat. You can find out about the advantages of plastic apron panels.

Checkerboard tiles on the floor (if 2 colors are used) give a feeling of more space. Also, you can use the principle of laying out "on an oblique" if the floor is plain.

We offer you to watch a video with tips from designers on arranging a small kitchen.

In conclusion, a few simple rules that are appropriate for decorating and decorating the interior of a small kitchen:

  • a lot of light will give a feeling of a large space;
  • prefer light colors to dark and too bright;
  • Make the most of your kitchen space. Remember about the reverse sides of the doors, the side walls of furniture and appliances;
  • don't go overboard with accessories. The line of comfort and clutter in a small kitchen is very thin.

Ideas for organizing the space of a small kitchen

We present you a photo of ideas on how to furnish a small kitchen and make it more functional.

Window sill as part of the work area or dining table.

Nice idea for a dining table. But for stability, you can add an additional leg for stability.

We will continue to get acquainted with the basics of residential ergonomics and talk about what rules must be observed when planning the interior of the kitchen so that it is convenient to cook, move around and eat on it.

The main task that arises before the owners of small apartments when repairing a kitchen is to plan everything in such a way as to make the most efficient use of the entire usable area. Many are so addicted to the process that they often forget that efficiency also implies ease of use, which should not be neglected for the sake of the desire to squeeze in as many furniture and household appliances as possible.

To calculate the required distance between tables and cabinets, provide access to drawers above and below, correctly place large household appliances among them, we will use the recommendations from the guide to the basics of ergonomics for architects and interior designers, compiled by J. Panero and M. Zelnik. The data indicated in them is calculated on the basis of the ratio of the size of the human body to various kitchen interior items. These measurements will be especially useful for home craftsmen who plan to make do-it-yourself kitchen furniture.

This figure shows how much free space must be left in order to provide a person with free movement and convenient use of kitchen and household appliances. The calculations are made for women and men of average build. If there are overweight people among your family members, then the numbers will have to be slightly adjusted.

Distance A allows two people to be in the kitchen at the same time and includes a free movement area (C) for a man and a work area (D) for a woman with open cabinet doors and drawers pulled out. The minimum possible distance between objects located opposite each other is 150 cm.

Distance B is 120 cm. It allows one person to comfortably stay in the kitchen and excludes the movement zone for the second.

It is worth considering here that an open dishwasher takes up more space than other household appliances, so those who plan to use it in their kitchen will have to increase section A to 177 cm. So that the hostess has the opportunity to freely load and remove the dishes before closing the machine should have 102 cm of unoccupied area.

In a small kitchen, the best place for food preparation is the countertop area bordering the refrigerator and sink. The minimum area of ​​​​the desktop, at which the hostess can cut food - 45x45 cm, the recommended width for comfortable cooking is 76 cm.

The diagram shows the area with the sink in section. The optimal distance between it and hanging cabinets is 60 cm. Such a distance provides convenience when washing dishes and easy access to the contents of the upper shelves.

Particular attention when planning the interior of the kitchen is given to the area around the stove. To make it convenient for the hostess to work with an open oven, a free zone of 102 cm is needed in front of the stove, and at least 120 cm to the opposite wall or any other object.

Built-in kitchen hoods are hung at a height of 61 cm. This is the optimal distance in order to use them at full capacity, have access to the cabinet and at the same time get a good overview of the burners. Large dome hoods are usually raised higher, to maximize the opening of the work surface.

The size of a suitable kitchen table is determined on the basis that each seated person will have a plot of at least 76 cm. The most suitable height for him is 88-91 cm. Most work in the kitchen is more efficient when standing, so that such a table can be used as an additional work surfaces. If your plans include placing shelves or narrow hanging cabinets above the table, hang them at a height of 150 cm from the floor.

That's all I wanted to talk about in today's post. I hope that knowledge from the field of ergonomics will be useful to you and will help you plan the interior of the kitchen correctly.