Remember the game Twister? Bending and stretching in a cramped area is fun for a game, but definitely not when you are working in your kitchen. These days, ergonomics does not only apply to your home office set up. Kitchen ergonomics focus on limiting bending, kneeling and climbing. Designing an ergonomic kitchen layout with these four things in mind can make cooking in the kitchen more enjoyable and easy on your body.
Work Triangle
An efficient kitchen has a good work triangle, consisting of the refrigerator, stove and sink work areas. Designers understand that if you place these too far away from each other, you waste a lot of steps while preparing a meal. If they are too close to each other, you have a cramped kitchen without any place to work.
Countertop Height
Another consideration to make is the height of your countertops. Your family may be particularly tall or short, which means the standard counter height is not ideal for you. If this is the case, countertops can be installed at a custom height that works for the majority of the people in your family. This makes meal preparation much more comfortable.
Accessible Cabinets
Take a look at your cabinets. Are they positioned too high to reach? Consider installing shelves pulling out and down toward you, making those high storage spaces more useful for everyone. Installing pull-out drawers in base cabinets gives better access to items at the back of the cabinets and reduces unnecessary bending. This would be an excellent place for your big cookware items. Place all smaller, miscellaneous appliances in a single location, such as a pantry or large drawer.
Kitchen Organization
Think about all the different things that we keep in our kitchens, starting with cups and dishes and ending at bigger appliances. If they are not in optimal places, you’ll be working extra hard.
A well-designed kitchen makes a huge difference. By applying these techniques, you can transform your culinary space into a productive, ergonomic kitchen.