For many, the kitchen is their second Workplace. And it is still mostly women who end up doing the majority of the work. They may spend their day in an ergonomically well-thought-out office, only to toil away in a poorly furnished kitchen after work and on weekends. Anyone buying a new kitchen should therefore think carefully about how to adapt this area to their needs. The joy of working and a pain-free back will be their reward.
Ergonomics – the foundation of every kitchen
Ergonomics is also the magic word in the private sphere. The term comes from Greek and is the theory of how human workflows can be optimized. The home kitchen offers plenty of starting points for this. When planning and purchasing, the customer should ensure that it is best adapted to the primary user. This means that the cook does not adapt to their workspace, but rather the other way around. After all, they spend a significant part of their daily time here, so it is worth simplifying the workflows. Health aspects must also be taken into account. Back problems often occur when awkward postures make work difficult. Consequently, kitchen furniture and appliances should be positioned in such a way that efficient and easy handling is possible in a comfortable position. In this context, the planner must of course also create seating and eliminate accident hazards.
Thorough needs analysis ensures an optimal result
When planning a new, and above all ergonomically coordinated kitchen, a needs analysis is of crucial importance. Fundamentally, it should be assumed that the user mainly performs routine activities in it. The only question is when and for how long they do this. The planner must therefore know how many family members need to be provided for and how often meals are cooked. It should also be noted whether meals are eaten in the kitchen and more. Based on this information, they can determine the furniture and its functionality and select the required appliances. They should also determine which kitchen utensils – such as pots, pans, knives, spice racks, and hanging devices – are already available or still need to be purchased. Subsequently, they define the kitchen zones: the areas for preparation, cooking, baking, washing up, as well as the storage and pantry area. For right-handed people, they ideally do this clockwise, and for left-handed people, the opposite.
Correct working heights ensure stress-free work
To work ergonomically and stress-free, the dimensions and height settings of worktops and cabinets are of decisive importance. Adjusted to the main user, they must be neither too high nor too low. Ideally, of course, they would be electrically adjustable. In this case, the respective cook can easily adjust the height of the work surfaces using their elbows. They should fix the countertop 10 to 15 centimeters below them. For fixed elements, the same applies, only the planner must then adjust the base individually from the start. Based on the height of the worktop, it is also important that the wall cabinets are easily accessible. It is therefore recommended to position them at least 50 centimeters above the work surface. Base cabinets, on the other hand, are less adjustable. To ensure the user can reach them without bending or kneeling, it is advisable to equip them with fully extendable drawers instead of doors.
Fittings and hinges with the highest standards
When it comes to opening and closing drawers or doors, the kitchen buyer is well-advised to pay attention to the quality of the fitting technology. The higher the quality, the easier and more reliable the ease of use. Durability is also crucial. It is annoying, for example, if door hinges sag over time and need to be readjusted. Which hinges and how many are installed depends on the size, weight, and material of the door. The same applies to drawer runners. Even with heavily loaded dish pull-outs, they should guarantee smooth running. If the customer opts for quality rails, they can expect a load capacity of up to 70 kilograms per pull-out. In contrast to the internal fittings, the externally attached elements depend on the personal taste of the buyer. In any case, handles, knobs, or strips should be easy to grip and, for the sake of smooth operation, should ideally be supported by opening and closing mechanisms.
Creating storage space and using it sensibly
Only when all utensils are sensibly stored in their place in a kitchen can the cook work quickly. The basis for this is sufficient storage space that also effectively utilizes corners and niches. A customer is well-advised to choose larger compartments and drawers instead of several small ones when buying. This does not mean that there has to be disorder in them. Appropriately placed inserts ensure quick access. In terms of ergonomic principles, this is of course only the case if everything is also located where it is needed. It is practical to place heavy objects below shoulder height and lighter ones in the wall cabinets. It is also practical if items that are used frequently are in the front and others in the back of the cabinets and drawers.
Clever accessories ensure fast work
There are many clever ways to organize drawers and compartments. The best-known of the mentioned inserts is the cutlery tray. It is usually located in the top pull-out directly under the work surface. In addition to this, there are now countless sorting elements on offer: shelves with compartments and bottle holders, metal and plastic racks, baskets, and many others. Matching the respective cabinets and flexibly positioned, they ensure comfortable handling as well as a secure stand for kitchen equipment. Similarly, the outer surfaces can be used purposefully. Corresponding items, such as knife blocks, spice racks, foil cutters, etc., are offered not only by well-stocked kitchen studios but also by the household departments of large shopping centers. The walls between the base and wall cabinets also do not need to remain bare. Towel and paper holders and hangers for cooking tools find sufficient space here.
Integrating electrical appliances ergonomically
Built-in electrical appliances such as ovens, refrigerators, or microwaves play a major role in the modern kitchen. They are often in use and have become indispensable. It is therefore recommended to install them at an elevated position so that the user can handle them comfortably at shoulder height. An exception is the cooking area. Here, the top edge of the pot at elbow height should be the ergonomic measure. To adapt it to the cookware, it would be advantageous to set up the hob to be electrically adjustable. It should be noted that the front pots can be reached effortlessly without scalding or burning oneself. However, cooks avoid this problem by working on panoramic hobs. With these, the plates are arranged linearly and the rear row of pots is eliminated. Of course, regardless of this, sufficient headroom must always be guaranteed above the stove. Extractor hoods should therefore hang sufficiently high in the upper area. Better yet, install side-mounted extractors. They have the advantage that the steam does not rise and you can lean over the pots. In addition, the stove can also be built over with cabinets.
Barrier-free kitchen design – no problem
A special challenge is the ergonomic planning of a kitchen for disabled people, especially for wheelchair users. It is not just that thresholds and steps are to be avoided; the entire arrangement and nature of the kitchen equipment must be adapted to their needs. For example, the wheelchair must be given a sufficiently large radius of action, and it must be ensured that its occupant can reach all cabinets and appliances effortlessly. The fact that wall cabinets, electrical appliances, as well as worktops and hobs are adjustable at the push of a button is (also with regard to other users of the kitchen) almost unavoidable. It is also worth considering replacing some base cabinets with mobile containers so that parts of the equipment, such as the stove or sink, can be driven under. There is no need to compromise on the design of the furniture. Kitchen studios have set themselves up for the sale of barrier-free kitchens, so that the conversion of an existing kitchen can also be carried out without any problems.
