Kitchen Dimensions

This page deals with kitchen dimensions and kitchen planning guidelines for kitchen layouts.
They're based on recommendations for the United States but standards for other modern
countries won't be far off. I've included metric conversions.
This kitchen dimensions information forms part of the kitchen design layout series.
You may also be interested in kitchen cabinet dimensions.
Just a quick note to keep us all out of trouble
This information is provided in good faith to help you think about your kitchen design. The
metric dimensions are approximate. It is your responsibility (or your architect / design
professional / contractor team) to make sure your dimensions are in accordance with your local
code or regulations.

Kitchen Triangle dimensions

That diagram is a bit mathsy so for those of us who prefer English....

Each leg of the kitchen work triangle must be 4 feet (1.2m) or more and not more than 9 feet
(2.75m).
If you add up the legs of the kitchen triangle this should not be more than 26 feet (7.9m).
As you might have read on my kitchen triangle page, I like to think more in terms of kitchen
polygons. If you keep to the dimension guidelines for the kitchen triangle your kitchen polygons
will be fine.

Kitchen Dimensions - Aisle Width

Now I can get into a debate about this. Different sources quote different distances for aisle
width. So to sort this one out lets start by looking at what factors influence the aisle width that
you should allow.

Whether the space is for one or two cooks.

Whether or not theres circulation passing by a run of units.

The door swings of the cabinets and appliances on either side of two runs of units facing
each other.

So taking into account these factors we can imagine the following scenarios.

Kitchen Aisle Width Scenarios

1. Row of kitchen units opposite a wall with no other circulation

In this scenario its a small kitchen designed for one cook where one wall has no cabinets or
appliances. An aisle width of 40 inches (102cm) is adequate in this case. It allows space for the
cabinets to be opened and for the cook (or person cleaning up) to move around easily. I think if
you were pushed you could go down to 36 inches (92cm) particularly if you dont have a
dishwasher (the dishwasher has the widest door swing). With 36 inches of clearance a person
can open a drawer and stand behind it or stoop down to the base cabinets (provided theyve not
been eating too many pies).
Another reason for going down to 36 inches is that you could squeeze in a 4 inch (10cm) shelf
along the wall maybe even with a sliding door. 4 inches of shelf space is great for tins and
groceries, especially if theres a lip on the shelf to stop things falling off.
This scenario would also apply for other layouts where the obstruction doesnt have any units.
For example here it is with a breakfast bar. I added a wall of thin units at the other wall of the
kitchen for extra storage.

A minimum aisle width of 40 inches (102cm) also applies for a run of units opposite the end of
an island.

2. Two rows of facing units with one cook (watch out for door swings)
So the standard advice is that if you have a kitchen with one cook working in the kitchen at any
one time then you need 42 inches (107cm) of clearance between two runs of units.

If your household is the one cook at a time variety its all too easy to go for 42 inches of
clearance. Before you settle on this though, just check your base cabinet / appliance door

swings. 24 inch (61cm) base cabinet door swings will clash with each other, and youll have
even more of a clash with a dishwasher. So it might be worth changing the width of your
cabinets and just thinking about door swings before you decide to have an aisle separation of 42
inches.

4. Run of units opposite a table

This is the scenario thats applicable to a galley or L shaped arrangement opposite a table.

In the arrangement shown above theres enough room for the diners to be seated 32 inches
(81cm) and a person to work in the kitchen 40 inches (102cm) making a total of 72 inches
(213cm) from the edge of the run of units to the edge of the table.
If youre pretty confident that there wont be much work going on in the kitchen while people are
sitting at the table you could maybe bring this in to 48 inches (122cm). Ive seen plenty of
small family kitchens with a table squeezed in with about 48 inches clearance.

Kitchen Dimensions for Eating

Kitchen Dimensions - Counter Eating
A kitchen eating counter is at the same height as the countertop. So its 36 inches (92cm)
high. Each person needs 24 inches (61cm) width and 15 inches (38cm) depth to eat
comfortably. I think 15 inches is the absolute minimum. Theres often other stuff that goes on
at the kitchen eating counter like surfing the web on your laptop or doing a bit of paperwork or
homework. For offices a desk is at least 30 inches deep (76cm) and the work area part of the
desk is 16-20 inches (40 50cm).
Its just something to think about. If your eating counter is part of a double depth island then
youll probably have additional room anyway.

When youre looking at kitchen counter stools make sure you buy the right height 24 inches
(62cm). And leave at least 15 inches (38cm) leg space.

Kitchen Dimensions - Bar Eating

A kitchen eating bar is at the standard bar height of 42 inches (107cm). The standards say each
person needs 24 inches (61cm) width and 12 inches (30cm) depth to eat comfortably. Personally
I think 12 inches is a little thin. Id still go for 15 inches (38cm) minimum. Again (as per
comments above in eating counter section) bear in mind that you might want to carry out other
activities on your eating bar (laptop, paperwork, homework). Just have a think about it before
you finalise the dimensions.

When youre looking at kitchen bar stools make sure you buy the right height 30 inches
(76cm). And leave at least 12 inches (30cm) leg space.

Kitchen Dimensions - Nooks and Booths

What is useful to deal with here is banquette seating and kitchen nook dimensions. The most
efficient way to build a kitchen nook is to build it as a booth since this requires the least space.
The dimensions given below are for a standard table height nook. You could build it at counter
height or bar height, perhaps in an even narrower space.
The minimum dimension for a booth or nook is 65 inches (165cm) and this can expand to 80
inches (203cm) with a table width of 30 inches (76cm) which can expand to 40 inches (102cm).
The benches or banquette dimensions have a seat height of 14 inches (36cm) and a seat height
of 15 inches (38cm). The backs should be angled back slightly and can be any height, including
just a bench with no back.

Doorway Area
The doorway to the kitchen should be at least 34 inches wide (86.5cm).
The door swing should not be in the way of appliances or work areas. If the door swing is taking
up too much space you could put a pocket door in instead, or remove the door altogether.

Appliance, Fixture and Work Area Clearances

There are a number of kitchen planning guidelines that specify how much space should be left
around the range, oven, refrigerator, preparation area and sink. Generally if you distribute the
areas and appliances around the kitchen using the kitchen triangle dimensions rules this should
provide for good landing areas around all the main appliances. In smaller kitchens it may not be
possible to accommodate all of these guidelines.

Sink Clearances
There should be 36 inches (92cm) on one side of the main sink and 18 inches (46cm) on the
other side of the sink.
The 18 inches side may be integrated into the sink as a draining board.
If you're working with a small kitchen space a drying rack above the sink could work instead of
having a landing area to the side for drying.

Preparation Area Dimensions

A continuous counter top surface of 36 inches (92cm) and 24 inches (61cm) deep next to a sink
is required. This can be combined with the 36 inches sink clearance area in smaller kitchens.

Dishwasher Location and Clearance

Many kitchen guidelines specify that the dishwasher should be placed near the sink. This makes
sense because it allows all dirty dishes to be set down in one location near the sink and perhaps
pre-rinsed before going into the dishwasher. What many other guidelines don't point out is that
the location of the dishwasher in relation to the cutlery and crockery storage locations is also
important. It's a great advantage if you can unload the dishwasher and put away the cutlery
and most of the crockery without walking too far.
The dishwasher door should be placed at least 21 inches (54cm) away from any cupboards
perpendicular to it. This means that there is standing room beside the dishwasher door and the
cupboard doors all around it can be opened sufficiently while the dishwasher door is down.

Cooking Surface Clearance

A landing area of 15 inches (38cm) and 12 inches (30cm) on either side of the cooking surface is
recommended.

If the cooking surface is located on an island the counter top must extend a minimum of 9
inches behind the cooking surface.

Cooking Surface Vertical Clearance

You don't want your kitchen going up in flames when you're doing a bit of flambe so there are
recommendations for vertical clearance.
24 inches (61cm) of space is recommended from the cooking surface to a non-combustible
surface above it.
If the surface is combustible then code requirements dictate that at least 30 inches (76cm)
between the cooking surface and the surface above.
If a microwave hood combination is being used follow the manufacturer's specifications.

Cooking Surface Location

Do not place the cooking surface in front of a window that can be opened.

Refrigerator
When placing the refrigerator consider the door swing. Ideally the refrigerator door should open
on the side that is orientated towards the main preparation area. If the refrigerator is placed
near to a wall and the door opens onto the wall it may be necessary (depending on the hinge of
the refrigerator door) to include a space buffer (perhaps a thin cupboard) to allow the door to
open fully. If the door cant swing fully open there will be problems getting shelves in and out of
the refrigerator when its time for cleaning.

Counter Top
A minimum amount of counter top frontage of 158 inches (402cm) is recommended in some
kitchen guidelines. This can include the frontage taken up by the cooking surface and sink.
In all the kitchens I have experienced this is an ample amount for a very functional kitchen for
one cook.