The 39 Essential Kitchen Design Guidelines

1. Your kitchen should not be a main route to the rest of your home. This means that traffic must not cross the work triangle.

2. The total length of the work triangle (the cumulative distance between the cooktop, fridge and sink) must not exceed 7000 mm (23′). The ideal length of the work triangle is between 4000 mm (13′) and 6000 mm (19′).

3. The minimum opening between cabinets at a door must be 800 mm (31 1/2″).

4. Appliance or entrance doors should not interfere with work centers.

5. You must not place a full-height cabinet or appliance between two major work centers.

6. A minimum of 1000mm (39″) of floor space between countertops is recommended (1200mm or 47″ preferred). 900mm (36″) would be the minimum distance between a series of cabinets and a kitchen island in a single cook kitchen.

7. If there are two cooks in the kitchen, a minimum of 1200mm (47″) is required for one person to pass the other by turning and passing with bodies parallel.

8. For two people to pass easily, a space of 1500 mm (59″) is required between countertops.

9. The sink should be in the center of the work triangle as it is the most used area in the kitchen.

10. At least 12″ (300mm) of counter space must be allowed from the edge of the sink to the inside corner of the counter.

11. The sink area should have counter space on each side. Total working space must be a minimum of 1050mm (41″).

12. When placing a dishwasher near a corner, leave at least a 500mm (20″) clearance from the corner for easy access.

13. You must allow standing space in front of the dishwasher for unloading.

14. The range should be placed at least 300mm (12″) from a window for safety.

15. The minimum landing space on each side of a range is 300mm (12″).

16. At least 300mm (12″) of counter space must be allowed from the edge of the cooktop to the inside corner of the counter.

17. Air extraction is required on cooking surfaces.

18. A minimum clearance of 400mm (16″) is required next to the oven. If this is not possible, a workbench within 1200mm (47″) of the oven is fine. (except where this crosses a main walkway)

19. Same goes for microwaves, 400mm (16″) installation space next to microwave.

20. Try to keep the microwave in the busiest part of the kitchen.

21. The height of the microwave (base) above the floor must be between 900 (36″) and 1250 mm (49″).

22. A minimum clearance of 400 mm (16″) is required on the opening side of a refrigerator door. If this is not possible, a workbench within 1200mm (47″) of the refrigerator is fine. (except where this crosses a main walkway)

23. Consideration of the location of services requires careful planning. To prevent appliances (ie dishwasher, etc.) from overhanging the counter, you should place the utilities in a cabinet next to the appliance.

24. Smoke detectors must be installed in the proper location for the type used.

25. Consider installing an easily accessible fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen.

26. The staging area must be a minimum of 900mm (36″) wide.

27. Likewise, the service area must have a minimum width of 900 mm (36″).

28. If there are two cooks and you don’t have 2 separate 900mm (36″) wide prep areas, a consolidated area 1500mm (59″) wide is good.

29. Store everyday items between eye and hip level.

30. 1800mm (71″) from the ground is considered the maximum safe storage height.

31. You must consider the items that will be stored in the first or last place of use. Heavy equipment should be stored near ground level.

32. When considering the height of the counter, it should be designed so that the cook can work without raising his hand above the elbow.

33. The minimum extraction distance of the chair from the table to the wall is 600 mm.

34. A minimum of 900mm (36″) deep allows another to skirt behind a seated diner.

35. A minimum of 1100mm (43″) deep provides room to walk behind a seated diner.

36. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions for electrical appliances.

37. All kitchen designs must comply with national kitchen standards.

38. When working with natural lighting for the kitchen, a good rule of thumb is no less than 10% of the kitchen floor area.

39. Natural ventilation must be provided by windows, doors or other devices that can be opened and closed. Allow a minimum of 5% of the total floor area.

So there you are. Print this list and use it in conjunction with your own kitchen design. These guidelines are not set in concrete and distances may vary, but should be considered minimum feasible distances.