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 their advantages. For example, by positioning the sink higher up, it is possible to install an extra-deep bowl without sacrificing storage space. Conversely, if the hob is slightly lower, you’ll have a better view into the pans. In reality, however, the decision is often made these days in favour of a uniformly high worktop – for aesthetic reasons.
However, with steam ovens such as the BORA X BO, there is no reason not to install them at operating height. This way, you can easily see at a glance what is at the top level.
In an ergonomic kitchen, the details are just as important. It starts with the handles: They should fit comfortably in your hand and be easy to open – even with greasy fingers. Incidentally, well-designed, handle-free fronts are every bit as good as the classic version when it comes to ergonomics. It is also important to consider the height at which the wall units are to be fitted.
Kitchen appliances with intuitive controls complete the fit-out of an ergonomic kitchen. Take, for example, the BORA hob extractor systems, which, depending on the model, can be controlled via touch controls and/or a toggle switch.
BORA cooktop extractor systems offer yet another advantage: They ensure an unobstructed view if the hob is positioned in front of a window or on a kitchen island. It’s nicer than staring at a wall and makes cooking a more enjoyable experience. The same applies to the positioning of the sink. An ergonomic kitchen is always designed with the users’ needs in mind. Tailored 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.
