Posted by Kitchen Design

Is your existing benchtop height in your kitchen to low? What height should it really be? This is a summary of preferred dimensions which are standard for most kitchens built in Australia today.

Kickboard height - The preferred kickboard height is 150mm. The height range can be between 100mm to 200mm.

Benchtop or working height - This is the distance between the floor and the top of the benchtop. The recommended height is 900 +/- 20mm. The working height can be within the range of 850mm to 1050mm. N.B You must be mindful when working with benchtop heights around the 1050mm range. Appliances such as dishwashers will end up having a large gap between itself and the benchtop. You could consider raising the height of the dishwasher by putting a drawer underneath it or by putting a drawer above it.

Floor Units - The preferred height for floor units is 720 +1/-4mm (not including kickboard). Floor unit depth ideally should not exceed 600mm (handles excluded). The preferred floor unit depth is 580mm inclusive of door thickness.

Wall Units - The preferred height for wall units is 720 +1/-4mm. Wall unit depth ideally should not exceed 350mm (handles excluded). There should be 280mm minimum clear space from back of cupboard. I personally prefer a 300mm minimum clear space so you can store large diameter plates with ease.

Tall Units - There is no preferred height for tall units. Having said that, you can easily determine the ideal height by adding up the floor unit height, benchtop thickness, splashback and wall unit heights (720mm + 33mm + 450mm + 720mm = 1923 +1/-4mm). I personally prefer a tall unit depth of 600 to 610mm inclusive of door thickness.

Overall Kitchen Height - is determined by adding up the kickboard height, floor unit height, benchtop thickness, splashback height and wall unit height (150mm + 720mm + 33mm + 450mm + 720mm = 2073 +1/-4mm).

Splashback height (under wall unit) - The minimum splashback height is 450mm. If you have a wall unit over a sink then there should be a minimum of 600mm splashback height between the top of the sink and the bottom of the wall unit.

Splashback height (electric cooktop) - The minimum height of the rangehood above an electric cooktop (coil, ceramic, Ceran glass and magnetic induction) is 600mm.

Splashback height (gas cooktop) - The minimum height of the rangehood above a gas hob is 650mm. Most manufacturers recommend a minimum height of 700-750mm.

Go to Standards Australia for more information on Australian kitchen standards.

Tags: benchtop, floor units, kickboard, Kitchen Standards, wall units