Kitchen

What should be the height of the apron in the kitchen

Kitchen apron height

It is not always possible to arrange a comfortable environment in the kitchen in crowded conditions. In a convenient kitchen there is always access to all items, there is a kitchen table and a free work surface. Accessories are placed in drawers, storage systems and on the kitchen apron, the height of which also affects comfort.

An apron is the distance between the parts of the headset, as well as the material to fill this space, including one-piece panels. Bedside tables are usually set in 2 horizontal lines. The hosts select the parameters for themselves and sometimes make mistakes. The work surface is sometimes uncomfortably high. Ergonomic problems also concern the height of the upper shelves - their contents may become unused. Therefore, before buying a furniture set should be tried in action and measure distances in parallel.

The main function and features of the kitchen apron

An apron is a place in the kitchen located between the lower and upper rows of cabinets. The word denotes the wall section or its finish, sometimes the working surface, often the entire space between the rows of drawers. An apron is used to store kitchen utensils and as an interval for furniture, which can be affected by heat from the hob and water from the sink. The space between the drawers is usually made in the form of a tile coating, which will not be threatened by greasy stains.

It is impossible to do without an apron in cramped kitchens, because a solid wall takes up a lot of space, and there will hardly be any left on the cutting surface. Often, items on the upper shelves are at an uncomfortable distance, but you have to make supplies above the lower drawers based on mandatory standards. These nuances mean the lack of alternative bunk furniture in a small kitchen.

Apron in the kitchen

Primary requirements

The same criteria apply to the apron as for any kitchen decoration. The site is laid out from tiles, glass, that is, from materials that do not absorb dirt and have high hygiene. For cladding, panels with repulsive properties are also used.

The appearance of the kitchen would be incomplete without a beautiful apron. Use interesting color combinations, unusual prints, repeating patterns.

Linear fixtures are often mounted on an apron - to illuminate the work surface.To a lesser extent, this is necessary if there are spotlights. On the lower edge between the work surface and the apron, borders are installed to protect against ingress of water and crumbs beyond the walls of the furniture.

The apron coating is made resistant to high humidity and high temperatures, resistant to contact with water, steam, smoke, hot drops. Resistance to mechanical stress is the last key parameter. A good apron will not destroy a sloppy hit with a pan, household appliance or fork.

Kitchen with an apron

Standard sizes

The minimum is 40-45 cm, and over the stove it grows up to 60-75 cm. In the case of electric hobs, 60-65 cm is enough, and for most gas stoves in the passports we are talking about 75 centimeters or more. The lower edge of the upper row is usually at a level of 60-65 cm above the working surface, sometimes with one even line. For housewives below 155 cm, the height standard is 45 cm - there will be no even edge with a hood.

Most aprons have a height of 48 to 60 cm. Small and medium-sized household appliances, utensil storage systems are easily placed there.

The length of the apron depends on the configuration of the kitchen. In Khrushchev, the room is usually square, and in Brezhnevka it is elongated. In rooms with equal sides, the aprons are L-shaped, and most of the length is about 1.8-2 m. In elongated brezhnev kitchens, the length reaches 2.5 meters. In spacious kitchens, 3.5-meter options are common.

First you need to draw a markup and measure the distance from its various points to the floor - with uneven floors, panel installation can be complicated.

Small kitchen apron

How to determine the size of the kitchen apron

Owners value their own convenience above all, and this approach is the right one. The height of the countertop, the size of the apron and the level of the upper drawers are usually chosen intuitively. With the upper tier, everything is simpler - a block of lockers is placed at any level. In the case of the lower one, choose between the optimal height and the use of the furniture set.

Panels for an apron are made according to standard parameters, but with the addition of 1-2 cm above and below for fixing. Tile coating is laid in advance with a noticeable margin of approximately 5-20 centimeters per allowance.

The problem may be the placement of the hood. If the wall decoration behind it is hidden or matches the color of the furniture - the look of the kitchen will be attractive. Otherwise, an apron panel is installed there.

If the upper boxes do not occupy the full length above the lower ones, it may be better to trim the free part with an apron.

Kitchen with a small apron

Floor unit dimensions: distance from floor to apron

It is worth measuring the average height of adults or focus on the hostess. The height of the countertops starts from 80 cm, and low models correspond to a height of 150-155 cm. Women of medium height should be guided by a tabletop with a height of 85 or 87 cm. For families with high average data, options for 90 cm or more are suitable. With the right furniture, the shoulders, back and neck will not hurt after long work.

The height is also affected by:

  • headset design;
  • hob;
  • plate size.

It happens that the headset fits perfectly, but the height of the furniture is not optimal. Have to be content with this furniture or attach a countertop on top. The surface of the cabinets can be additionally covered with a thick 4-cm board with a neat appearance.

If the owner has purchased a low or high stove, it is better to choose furniture according to its parameters or, alternatively, to make a platform. Cooktops are also desktop, which adds options in the selection of the lower headset.

Height from floor to apron in the kitchen

Apron Height: Location of Hanging Cabinets

To the ideal height of the countertops add from 45 to 65 cm from above. Get an indicator that affects the work in the upper part of the kitchen. Ideally, the bottom of the wall cabinets is 15 centimeters below the eye level. In this case, the hostess will reach the handle on the door at any height. Tall man - up to the third tier of shelves.The normal height of the lower border of the mounted unit is within 130-150 cm.

The choice between a small apron with a low upper tier and a large gap with a high upper block is obvious. In the absence of bulky storage systems, the need for a large apron disappears. The height of almost all desktop household appliances does not exceed 40-45 cm. With a lack of stock, it is enough to increase the height of the apron to 50 cm. Products on the shelves of the upper row will be at an ideal distance.

Tall kitchen apron

Model and location of the hood

Types of hoods according to different classifications:

  • flat;
  • island
  • angular;
  • inclined;
  • telescopic;
  • T-shaped;
  • domed;
  • fully integrated;
  • outboard;
  • wall mounted.

The height above the stove is maintained at the level of 60-65 cm above the electric and 70-75 cm above the gas. The lower limits indicate the acceptable indicator, the upper - the minimum recommended. Inclined models are recommended to be placed at a level of about 50 cm above the burners. For built-in fit only special sets of furniture. Island hang over the kitchen islands characteristic of large kitchens. Corner models are suitable for curved headsets, have large dimensions.

The width of the hood, ideally, is not shorter than the same indicator on the stove, with a margin of 7-10 centimeters from both edges. The height of placement is increased if the power of the hood and the size of the kitchen allow. Performance material does not affect safety at a certain height, because fires occur due to the accumulation of soot or grease on the grill.

Extractor fan in the kitchen

Width / Length Definition

The width is the height of the apron or the distance between the countertop and the installation level of the upper row along the lower edge. It will be possible to determine the indicator taking into account the height of the lower row, the required space for the equipment. It is necessary to calculate the ideal level of the upper drawers, which is also affected by the distance between the shelves.Nothing prevents making the width of the finish larger due to the hidden parts, for example, add 10 centimeters at once along the edges.

The length is determined by the components of the kitchen. The linear headsets have a place for washing, stove, dishwasher and in addition there will be space for 2 full sections. A minimum of 40 cm is left between the stove and the sink. 70 cm is allocated for cutting and cooking cold food. As a result, the length of the apron will be approximately 2.5 meters. For 4-5 full sections, there will be an average of 55-60 cm.

Long kitchen apron

Hob and sink location

Ways to position the washbasin:

  1. In the corner;
  2. Near the window;
  3. On a straight line;
  4. Island accommodation.

The sink is mounted in a corner in order to save the rest of the space, to use an inefficient corner. In a U-shaped layout, installation on a straight line has proven itself well. The shape of the sink when placed linearly fits rectangular, square and round. Sinks at the window were installed in some Khrushchev kitchens. In modern apartments, to add originality, washbasins are also made on window sills. As a result, you have to lengthen the communication.

At a sufficient distance from the sink, at least 40 cm, install the stove. Regardless of whether it is separate or with an oven, only 5 cm of space is enough to place a dishwasher next to it. You can’t put the cook near the window, or rather, closer than a meter. Ideally, they maintain the same distance between the stove on one side and the sink / fridge on the opposite. With a sequential linear installation, it is better to put the stove in the middle, although there are also opinions about a sink in the center.

Edge wash

When you need allowances

The margin for installing the apron should be maintained primarily for thin panels. It happens that the thickness of the apron is greater than the floor skirting. In this case, allowances will not allow the installation of furniture, so they do not.The task will be greatly simplified by the option with masonry, clinker bricks, for example, or tiles. As for the specific size, there are recommendations to make a minimum of 1 cm from the top and bottom, but better by 2. Due to small allowances, the edges of the wall panel can be subjected to excessive pressure. For example, when striking the headset.

The size and shape of the apron depends not only on the installation margin. Owners always have 2 options in case there is a lot of free space on top. Some people like to fill the broken line of the upper cabinets with an apron, while others prefer to keep the usual linear shape.

Kitchen apron with allowances

Sizes of kitchen apron without wall cabinets

The top border is adjusted to 2 meters above the floor. There are no restrictions on height, but the kitchen looks normal if you leave the upper half-meter above the working area in one embodiment with the rest of the walls. An apron of 115-117 cm, including 2 cm on the lower allowance, is installed above the tabletop with a height of 85 cm. Do not confuse the specified limit with a maximum of 65 cm per apron under the upper tier. Installing cabinets on top of the cladding panel will be inconvenient. Above the worktops of 80 and 95 cm high, panels of 120 + 2 and 105 + 2 cm, respectively, are attached.

Reduce the height of the apron under the free space is not worth it. At least, if the top of the panel is at a level of 130-140 cm. It would be silly to look like this design, it is better not to highlight the apron at all. It will be correct to leave the finish above the lower block unified with the rest of the design.

You should not leave a free wall; it is better to install several open shelves with adequate capacity.

Kitchen apron without wall cabinets

Material and its effect on size

Popular materials:

  1. MDF panels;
  2. Shockproof glass;
  3. Tile.

In the case of tiles, it does not hurt to make a coating of other fragments with a continuous finish. The height of 2 rows of tiles along with the seams will be approximately 60 cm, and as a result, a simple combination of 56-58 cm high with hidden allowances and a grout seam exactly in the middle will be obtained. The tile as a whole has a large line of sizes, so the apron will get a beautiful combination. It will not hurt if the height of the apron is a multiple of 5 centimeters.

MDF is mounted on any surface. The panels are large: they make compact panels with a narrow side of 40 cm or more. Fragments are usually adjusted to the height of the apron so as not to make thin stripes, or, conversely, the distance is selected for MDF elements. The ends of the MDF boards are trimmed with protective tape.

Decorative glass cladding is ordered to the exact size. In most cases, glass skins are made with an integral design according to the dimensions of the apron. Colored glass mosaic is also popular. Puzzles in which case they cut or hide.

Tile apron

Style and color scheme

Landscapes and natural motifs are popular. They beautifully and inexpensively transform boring rooms. Aprons are made with drawings and mosaics on marine, forest, Mediterranean themes. The style is made out and more complicated, for example, in the spirit of a loft, English interior, techno, hi-tech, eco. In the role of an apron, processed wooden boards are sometimes used for Provence, Western, loft.

You need to experiment with color. The apron is finished with a different approach: apart from the furniture and the color, in accordance with the decoration of the walls and in contrast. White, blue, green tones look perfect - with any shade of the kitchen set. Softness is added with pink, orange, violet paints.

Surfaces are chosen with any texture. Glossy is best for a kitchen: a reflective coating scatters light well and improves aesthetics.

Art Nouveau kitchen apron

Height and ways to place outlets on a kitchen apron

Nests are not installed above the sink and stove. Initially, they select points so that the sockets do not come closer than 30 cm along, and the ideal distance is 50-60 cm diagonally. With a lack of space, it is better to move away from the sink first, then from the hob.

In the interval from 1 to 1.5 m above the floor, most points for connecting electrical appliances are located. About the middle of the apron is the best place for them.

An outlet for the hood is installed behind the cabinet, just above its upper edge. A power source is located nearby for backlighting.

For low power devices, make lines of 3 outlets together. Ideally, make 2 such clusters at a height of 15-20 cm above the countertop. The limit value is 3.5 kW per cluster.

Built-in appliances are placed at least 1 meter from the outlet on the apron. For other devices, the rule is not more than 1.5-meter distance.

Sockets in a kitchen apron

Apron and work area lighting

Spotlights-spotlights or linear LEDs are usually installed above the working area for processing and cooking food. Spot mounted in the upper part of the headset or on the outer bottom of the hanging cabinets. Illumination is improved by rotary wall lights and exhaust lamps.

The apron will receive a lot of light from the lamps for the working area, but the lighting of this element, countertops and the kitchen as a whole is also improved by additional sources. For example, long linear and tape. Linear ones are installed in one strip under the upper drawers, sometimes they are built in. Tape are compounds of lighting fragments that are laid on the apron and work area in various patterns. The cost of linear and tape devices sometimes reaches half the price of a headset, so buying them is a question with many components.

Apron and work area lighting

Conclusion

An apron is a functional and vibrant place in the kitchen. The gap divides the headset into upper and lower parts, and sometimes it is simply located above the floor row. The length of the apron corresponds to several functional areas. Among them there is a worker with a cutting surface, stove, sink. Cutlery, appliances, sometimes products are suspended on an apron, and all this requires optimization. Moreover, in the upper nightstands it is difficult to arrange objects and use them just as effectively. In this sense, the size of the apron plays a role.Depending on the thickness of the finish used as an apron, it is installed with or without allowances. The dimensions are influenced by the parameters of the headset, the height of two rows, the presence of a second tier, the features of the stove and hood. In turn, the nearby working area cannot be made comfortable without high-quality illumination.



Graduated from St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technology and Design. More than 100 completed design projects.


Stars: 1Stars: 2Stars: 3Stars: 45 Stars (1 ratings, average: 5,00 out of 5)
Loading...

Add a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *