Smart design choices for an ergonomic kitchen

In an ideal world, every kitchen would be ergonomically designed to suit the family using it, ensuring tasks are performed comfortably without unnecessary stretching or strain. However, for most of us, achieving a fully bespoke ergonomic kitchen can be cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, there are smart design choices that can make your kitchen more ergonomic without requiring a complete overhaul. Below, we share some of our favourite tips for creating a more functional and comfortable kitchen space.

Raising appliances

The trend of raising kitchen appliances like washing machines and tumble dryers has been making waves online, but it’s hardly new - it’s just now catching on more widely in the UK.

Positioning appliances at an elevated height reduces strain on your back and knees. While eye-level ovens have become a common feature, many other appliances are still positioned too low. Consider raising washing machines, tumble dryers, and dishwashers to a height that makes loading and unloading more comfortable. Over time, this simple adjustment can significantly reduce physical strain caused by repetitive bending and reaching into awkward spaces. Think about how often you load and unload these appliances over a year - it adds up!

Smart storage for small appliances

How you store your small appliances can make a big difference in your kitchen's functionality. Many of us leave infrequently used gadgets, like bread makers, on the worktop while frequently used appliances, such as stand mixers, get tucked away in inconvenient spots.

A simple ergonomic tip is to store small appliances based on their usage frequency. Keep the most-used items easily accessible and store heavier appliances, like food processors or stand mixers, on middle or lower shelves to avoid lifting them from high or low positions.

Optimising small details

The smaller details in your kitchen - plug socket placement, lighting, and shelving - often go overlooked during the design process but have a huge impact on ergonomics.

For instance, poorly placed sockets can turn simple tasks into safety hazards. Imagine boiling a kettle on one side of the kitchen and having to carry the heavy, hot water across the room to fill a pan on the hob. Properly positioned plug sockets can eliminate this hassle.

Good lighting is equally critical. Relying solely on overhead lighting can create shadows on your workspace, making tasks like chopping vegetables unnecessarily difficult. Incorporate task lighting, such as under-cabinet lights, to ensure well-lit preparation areas.

Creating activity zones

As you design the kitchen it is important to note what you use most, how they combine together and how best to layout your space.  For example if you have the hob in the centre of your kitchen - it makes sense to have the pans close by, so you do not have to walk to the other side of the kitchen to get a saucepan.  Or if you use a certain area of the kitchen for the prep work (chopping, dicing, etc) it makes sense to have the bin close so that you can put the rubbish in the bin straight away. 

Creating an ergonomic kitchen doesn’t have to break the bank. By incorporating smart design choices like raising appliances, optimising storage, and focusing on functional details, you can significantly enhance the comfort and efficiency of your kitchen.

If you're ready to design your dream kitchen, reach out to your local home designer here for expert advice and support.