An ergonomic kitchen design not only improves comfort but also enhances efficiency when cooking.
From the layout of the work areas within the ‘magic triangle’ to the customisation of worktop height – a well-planned kitchen takes your needs into account and makes everyday tasks easier.
One of the key figures in the design of ergonomic kitchens was Otl Aicher. He was a co-founder of the Ulm School of Design and the author of *Die Küche zum Kochen*. "A workshop for a new way of life". One of his basic rules is that, for practical reasons, frequently used items should be placed as openly and within easy reach as possible. This ensures that work is carried out efficiently.
However, kitchen designer Max Kaltner from werkhaus in Raubling draws attention to an important point: Aicher was still assuming that the kitchen would be in a separate room. A layout that opens onto the living area therefore requires a delicate touch. From a purely functional point of view, it does make sense for everything to be immediately accessible. At the same time, it makes sense, for aesthetic reasons, to store most things in the kitchen cupboards. Ultimately, it’s all about striking the right balance in this delicate situation.
Kaltner and Aicher are in agreement on the layout of the workspaces. How to design an ergonomic kitchen is directly determined by typical workflows: Storing/chilling, washing, preparing, cooking/baking and plating up. In practical terms, this is reflected in the layout of the fridge, sink, worktops, hob and oven – the kitchen triangle, or ‘magic triangle’. The individual elements should be positioned in such a way that there are short, straightforward paths between them.
As well as the distances, the layout of the work areas is also important in an ergonomic kitchen. It does make a difference whether the kitchen is designed for a right-handed or left-handed person.
The unofficial standard height for kitchen worktops is around 92 cm. These dimensions for ergonomic kitchens are based on average height. Kitchen designer Max Kaltner advises, however, that the height should be tailored to the individual cook.
A rule of thumb for an ergonomic worktop height in the kitchen: The surface should be approximately 10 to 15 cm below the elbows when the forearms are bent at a 90° angle.
For couples with a significant difference in height, for example, an extra-tall chopping board can help to even things out.
Different heights for different work areas have advantages. For example, an extra-deep bowl can be realised with a higher sink without sacrificing storage space. Conversely, with a slightly lower hob, you benefit from a better view of the pans. In reality, however, nowadays the decision is often made in favour of a uniformly high worktop - for the sake of appearance.
With steam ovens such as the BORA X BO , however, there is no reason why they should not be installed at operating height. This way you can easily see what is on the top level.
The details are just as important in an ergonomic kitchen. It starts with the handles: They should sit comfortably in the hand and be easy to open - even with greasy fingers. Well-designed, handleless fronts are in no way inferior to the classic version in terms of ergonomics. The installation height of the wall units also needs to be considered.
Kitchen appliances with intuitive operation round off the features of an ergonomic kitchen. For example, the BORA cooktop extractor systems, which can be controlled via touch control and/or knobs, depending on the model.
The BORA cooktop extractor systems offer yet another advantage: They ensure a clear view if the hob is located in front of a window or on a cooking island. It's nicer than looking at a wall and makes you feel good while cooking. The same applies to the positioning of the sink. An ergonomic kitchen is always orientated towards the needs of the user. Customised solutions are therefore essential.
An ergonomic kitchen design ensures smooth and stress-free working.
The most important aspects when setting up an ergonomic kitchen are the arrangement of the work areas and the height of the worktop. This is complemented by details such as the handles, the height of the wall units and appliances that are intuitive to use.
The approximate height of the worktop in the kitchen can be determined using the elbow method:
This approach is more precise than using body height as a guide.
Determining an ergonomic working height for the kitchen based on height is comparatively imprecise due to different body proportions. For this reason, we recommend the elbow method described above.
