Above the work surface of the kitchen there is usually a long row of upper cabinets. There should be no problems when using the lower shelves of the upper tier, but it is more difficult to interact with the upper ones. Low people often have to stand on a chair to get an object from the top shelf. However, proper planning of this area of the kitchen will avoid such inconveniences. If it is correct to calculate the height, then only objects near the back wall of the uppermost shelf will be difficult to reach for a low hostess. Many countries have also developed standards systems on how high to hang kitchen cabinets. They have been forming for more than one year and take into account the different features of kitchen facilities. The small height of the upper cabinets themselves can be compensated. In this plan, deep variants of the upper sections and capacious lower pedestals will be useful. Open storage between the top of the headset and the ceiling is another alternative to high canopies.
Basic rules and standards for fixing height
Under the height of the wall cabinet means 2 indicators: the distance from the floor to the bottom shelf and the upper level of placement. In the GOST there are accurate recommendations, however, it is easier to select the parameters yourself. Construction standards differed at different times, so you have to “reckon” with the characteristics of the premises, primarily with the height of the ceiling. When deciding on the height of the kitchen cabinets, there are 3 main factors to consider.
The first step is taken into account the appointment of stands: they can accommodate special modules. The second point is the location: above the lower tier or above free space. However, all these calculations are useless, if you do not take into account the height of the person engaged in cooking. From the point of view of design, it is easier to install standard furniture - it will successfully fit into the space.
Sizes and height of lower cabinets
Gosstandard provides for the height of placement of the lower edge of wall cabinets at a level of 135-150 cm, if they are mounted above the floor tier. Bottom pedestals always set flush, and their height is consistent with the growth of the owners. Usually the result is about 85-95 cm. The distance between the table top of the lower tier and the bottom edge of the top in most cases is between 45-60 cm, and it is unacceptable to leave less than 45 cm. This interval (45-60 cm) is the normal distance for the apron of the working area of the kitchen. At this site there should be a place for household appliances such as a multicooker, microwave, food processor. If the stock to the bottom row is too small, then the person may bump his head while washing the dishes. For the convenience of tall, the distance may be greater than 60 cm. In case the height of the owners is very high, then the lower and upper rows of furniture are bought much higher.
Standard dimensions of the lower cabinets:
- Height - 80-95 cm.
- Depth - 50-70 cm.
- The width (of one section) is 35-80 cm. However, there are narrow variants, for example, bottle-holders.
The deeper the section of the floor headset, the lower the top should be placed.
Height from floor
Regardless of whether there is a lower tier of lockers or not, there is a universal rule for placing the lower edge of wall cabinets - it should be about 5-7 cm below shoulder level. In this case, it makes sense to calculate the average for all adults. If the lower tier is absent, then the height of the lower edge at the level of 130-135 cm will allow you to remove accessories from the upper shelves without any obstacles. It is estimated that the mistress of average height (160-170 cm) in the standing position will be convenient to use the locker at a height of 1300-1900 mm. If you use a chair - it will be fully accessible box at the level of 1900-2400 mm. Placement height can be matched with optimal and best visibility. For the hostess with the above parameters it is 140 and 165 cm, respectively. For her, the height of about 180 cm separates the zones of limited (lower) and lowest availability (higher).
Upper limit of cabinet placement
Repels primarily from the distance between the hinged structure and the table top. Otherwise, it all depends on the height of the sections. However, you should initially look for options for optimal position at the upper limit. There is no need for shelves at a height of 210-220 cm - even for high housewives they will be uncomfortable. In kitchens with a ceiling below 2.6-2.7 m, high headset placement will prevent the arrangement of the upper zone, if such was planned. In any case, before buying furniture on the wall, it is better to draw marks of the maximum allowable height at the top. It should be 20-25 cm taller than the tallest member of the family or the average height of adults. The indicator of the ideal height of the upper edge of the cabinets does not depend on the observance of the triangle rule or the configuration of the kitchen, be it U-shaped, angular, linear or two-row.
Important nuances to consider when choosing a height
Important aspects for determining height are:
- adult growth;
- dimensions of the upper modules;
- dimensions of the lower cabinets;
- the location of the hob.
From the dimensions of furniture elements it is necessary to repel in the first place, which is why they should be bought after preliminary calculations regarding the possible location and convenience for family members. Right at the point of sale you can check the ergonomics of the wall and select the configuration of the shelves. The uppermost one should ideally be accessible to all adults and at least to the highest family members. It is important to determine the ideal height of the kitchen apron. If nothing prevents you from working comfortably with the sink, the cutting surface and the hob, you can leave only 45 cm on this element. This option is acceptable even for tall people. We should also not forget about the spaciousness of both rows of the headset, and even less to “sacrifice” it for the sake of accessibility of the upper shelves.
Cabinet sizes
Typical parameters of wall kitchen wall lockers are within the following limits:
- height - 35-70 cm;
- width - 15-80 cm;
- depth - 25-45 cm.
The height of placement of the mounted longline depends on the size of the sections. And this concerns not only the upper, but also the lower elements of the headset. The standard height of the lower tier is 80-95 cm and consists of the height of the base, frame and thickness of the table top. The depth of the lower cabinets is usually 55-60 cm, but maybe 10 cm less or more. The tabletop stands for the edge of the pedestals by 3-5 cm. The lower limit of placement of the hinged structure is selected taking into account the above-listed features. As for the upper cabinets themselves, regardless of their height, it is customary to align them in a line along the upper edge. It is undesirable for the lower shelf of short boxes to be higher than 80-90 cm above the table top. Curbstones 70 cm high hang so that the lower edge was distant from the tabletop no more than 65 cm, and 55 cm - a convenient option for most people. The second and third shelves should be at the optimal and maximum height of the location, respectively.
Dependence on hood and plate
It is not recommended to mount lockers above the stove itself, however this can be done over the hood. This solution in the interior has already become a classic. When installing, the minimum allowable height from the cooking surface should be taken into account - 60 cm. It is most likely that it will not be possible to hang the cabinet level with the adjacent sections. However, this is not all the difficulties - when heated, some materials emit hazardous compounds. Treated wood (such as chipboard) may emit formaldehyde and phenols from temperature effects. The height of placement depends on the type of plate. Above the electric one it is recommended to leave a margin of 65-70 cm, and above the gas one - at least 75-80 cm. At this level it is desirable to place the hood, and a little higher - lockers. To accommodate the furniture modules above the heat draw, special variants of its configuration are provided.
The cabinets above the working surface of the hood practically do not increase the usable space - usually there is not enough space in them.
Consider the height of a person
Be sure to take into account the growth of adult hosts. We measure exactly the average. Moreover, if only one person regularly cooks in the kitchen, then there is no need to take into account the average height. But the lower the shelves, the easier it is to exploit them, regardless of what purpose they are used for. So, if the average height of adults turned out to be below 178 cm - we place the lower edge of the lockers 155 cm from the floor. When the indicator is within 178-185 cm, the sections are hung at 160 cm. With a larger average height, the bottom of the modules should be in the corridor 160-175 cm, in proportion to the result obtained. It is desirable that the upper shelves are located no higher than 20-25 cm above the head of the lowest adult. Shelves above 210 cm from the floor are non-functional. The minimally low placement of the hinged furniture tier is 135 cm, however, some recommend putting them at least 145-150 cm for people of average height.
Ways of mounting wall cabinets
In total there are 2 ways:
- On the mounting plate.
- On the loops.
To hang the lockers, it is necessary not only to determine the optimal height, but also to make a proper and secure fit. Locking parts must be heavy. The correct technology and sequence of actions are also important - to check the functionality, assembly and regulation to the finished state. Installation should be started correctly from the corner section or from the wall into which the structure should rest. If the method of fastening on the tire (bar) is used, another direction of installation is impossible in principle. Ignore this rule can not be installed on the loop. Otherwise there will be problems with the alignment of the height of the sections. The distances between them will not be the same or wrong. Unnecessary gaps may appear. In addition, you can "not calculate" the distance and as a result do not find space for another locker.
On the mounting plate
This is a more modern method of attachment. In this case, the load is distributed evenly along the entire length of the facade. This type of installation makes it possible to adjust the hinged structure in height. The elements are installed alternately, so even one person will cope with the task. Works need to be carried out strictly in a certain order. First, the upper and lower boundaries of the lockers are marked on the wall. Then markup is applied under the bar. Further, the holes are drilled and the fittings for the slats are fixed. After that, the rail itself is installed and the elements are hung. They are mounted first without shelves and doors. It is better to mount lockers closely - for this purpose, special fasteners are used. At the end, shelves are installed and front surfaces are mounted. The latter can be immediately adjusted if they are slightly tilted to the side.
Hinges
On the hinges can hang a locker of any configuration. This method is convenient, including for the installation of single structures. If there are a lot of elements, then the work will require a level. If several boxes were connected, the installation will need to work together. The algorithm of actions of this method and method with the mounting plate is partially similar. However, in this case the hole for the dowels is drilled. It will be necessary to fix the hinges on the back walls of the cabinets (above). It is better to use screws as fixing elements. You can make fasteners in advance. Sections are mounted on dowels. Neighboring modules are better to fasten. To reduce the likelihood of chipping to a minimum, you should drill narrow holes for the screws, and then expand them. It is also possible to attach the timber on the other hand to reduce the vibration from drilling. The final stage - the installation of shelves and doors.
Conclusion
To choose the optimal upper and lower limit of installation of hinged kitchen furniture, it is not necessary to have special knowledge or skills. The owners should first of all build on the experience of previous years, expressed in the GOST with detailed recommendations and norms. Determining the desired height does not end there, because you need to take into account individual factors. This is the average growth of homeowners, and the size of the modules, and priorities in the placement of kitchen utensils. The greatest difficulty lies in the need to coordinate the location of 5 elements at once: the lower edge of the hinged row, its upper edge, the table top of the lower tier, the cooking surface, as well as the height of the working area apron. The installation itself is performed in one of two ways: on the rail or individual loops. The first one is easier. All actions should be carried out without haste and according to the generally accepted algorithm.
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