It might seem obvious before you start the process of designing a kitchen but heights and dimensions in general need to be set at the outset so the rest of the design can be accurately calculated.
The reasons for the figure that you choose can be many and varied but so far, in modern kitchen design history, we have stuck to a fairly narrow range.

On average, the height of men is about 173cm (5 foot 8 inches), and women are around 160cm (5 foot 3 inches), so dimensions, particularly worktop heights, have become set to accommodate this.
Most modular kitchen designs have a worktop height of 90cm (approximately 36 inches or 3 feet), this corresponds to a comfortable above-90-degree working angle at the elbow for most people.
“What’s a normal kitchen worktop height? 90cm or 36 inches is a fairly standard height.”
These principles are carried through to other dimensions. For example, the average person has a certain comfortable reach in front of them so the depth of worksurfaces has become a fairly standard 60cm (36 inch or 2 feet). Consequently, base units are built to accommodate the height and depth of the worktop.

Since these dimensions are standard, the rest of the kitchen tends to follow. Manufacturers save production costs by having standardized measurements and components so cabinet heights and depths follow suit so everybody ends up with a fairly uniform kitchen layout and the only significant variance tends to be colour and material.
Break the mold
Whilst there are a number of advantages to standardisation, we’re not all the same size and shape so many people might want to move away from these constrictions. Height differences, disabilities or just general preference might be behind this but whichever, a bespoke kitchen design is a great option.

Whether you will be getting a professional to create your design or doing it yourself, it’s a great way to take control and produce something that’s perfect for you but bear a few things in mind:
- Consider others, other people may need to use the kitchen and there’s the resale value of the property to consider so extremes are unadvisable
- If required, you can utilize space that is out of reach with clever storage solutions, such as pull-out shelves, corner cabinets and under-sink organizers
- Adequate lighting is essential for food preparation and cleaning, consider under-cabinet lighting, pendant lights or recessed lighting
- Proper ventilation is crucial to remove cooking odours and moisture, install a high-quality cooker hood and/or extractor fan
By carefully considering these factors, you can create a kitchen that is not only functional but also visually appealing and tailor-made for your preferences.
Not all kitchens need to conform and it doesn’t take wholesale changes to make a difference, a few tweaks here and there and your kitchen should be fit for everyone.