Key dimensions
In Europe, kitchen cabinets and worktops follow the EN 1116 standard. It gives 85, 90 and 95 cm as worktop height options; worktop depth is at least 60 cm. At least 45 cm should remain between the worktop and the underside of the wall cabinets.
| Dimension | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop height | 85 / 90 / 95 cm | EN 1116 |
| Worktop depth | at least 60 cm | EN 1116 |
| Worktop to wall cabinet | at least 45 cm | EN 1116 |
| Work aisle width (one cook) | at least 107 cm | NKBA |
| Work aisle width (several cooks) | at least 122 cm | NKBA |
| Walkway only | at least 91 cm | NKBA |
NKBA is the North American association of kitchen and bath designers; its planning guidelines are among the most widely used references in the world. The Turkish regulation sets only a minimum area (3.3 m²) and a minimum shortest side (1.50 m) for kitchens.
The kitchen work triangle
The fridge, sink and hob are the three main points of a kitchen. According to NKBA, each side of the triangle joining them should be between 1.2 and 2.7 m, and the total should not exceed 7.9 m. If the sides are too short, there is no room left to work on the worktop; if they are too long, you walk more than you need to. In the four plans below we measured from the centre of each appliance’s front; all of them fall within this range.
One-wall kitchen
Suits narrow, long kitchens. Because the three points are in one line, the “triangle” becomes a straight line: in the example, fridge–sink 1.35 m, sink–hob 1.34 m, fridge–hob 2.69 m. Don’t put the hob right next to the fridge; leave some worktop between them.
L-shaped kitchen
The most flexible layout. The two legs meet at a corner and leave the middle free; even a small table can fit. The space under the corner worktop is hard to use; consider a corner cabinet or a carousel shelf there.
U-shaped kitchen
A U-shaped kitchen gives you the most worktop and cabinet space. The gap between the two facing legs should not fall below NKBA’s 107 cm; otherwise cabinet doors and drawers can’t be opened at the same time.
Galley (parallel) kitchen
Uses two facing walls. Putting the sink on one side and the hob on the other makes work easier. If a walkway also runs through the kitchen, don’t let the gap drop below 1.20 m.
Checklist
- Worktop 60 cm deep, height suited to your own height
- Hob not squeezed into a corner, with worktop on both sides
- Open fridge door doesn’t block the walkway
- At least 107 cm between facing worktops
- Work triangle sides 1.2–2.7 m
- Door leaf doesn’t hit a cabinet or appliance
The plans and dimensions in this post are layout ideas. A building permit, structural design or construction project requires a design by, and approval from, a licensed architect and engineer; ask your municipality about the details of the regulations.