At what height is the kitchen sink installed?

Discover details you need to know to have an ergonomic kitchen!

Close your eyes and think about how much time you spend in the kitchen. Now imagine how much of that time you spend lingering and bending over the sink. Despite the fact that, for one reason or another, we are accustomed to discomfort in the kitchen and accept it for unknown reasons, it is important to remember that working over a sink should be physically painless and efficient. Rather than forcing your back and arms to contort your body into increasingly creative positions, a kitchen sink should be installed at a level where your body feels naturally comfortable.

Sinks and basin depth

When it comes to overstraining the back, shoulders, and arms, the depth of the sink plays an essential role. It is important to start from the premise that you will be working at the bottom of the sink, not just using it as a support for accumulating dishes. Therefore, a sink should never be so deep that the user has to bend over to access something from the bottom. As you have probably already guessed, this will be based on the individual needs and physique of each user.

While there is no perfect formula to identify an ideal sink depth, sinks are usually installed approximately 90 centimeters from the floor and can have a depth ranging from 15 to 30 centimeters, with most modern sinks oscillating between 20 and 25 centimeters.

Sinks are installed according to each user's needs

More specific calculations can be made in correlation with each person's height. A shallow sink, 10 to 20 centimeters deep, will be the most comfortable option for those who are either short (1.70 m or shorter) or very tall (1.80 m or taller). This type of sink will allow both types of people to reach the bottom of the sink without having to bend or overstretch. People with a height between 1.70 and 1.80 m will find the greatest comfort in sinks with a depth of 20 to 25 centimeters.

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How do we install sinks for added ergonomics?

Achieving the perfect depth will derive both from the sink model itself and from the installation method. In the case of under-worktop sinks, the worktop will usually add between 2.5 and 5 centimeters to the final depth of the sink. Therefore, before installing the sink, it is essential to consider how you intend to integrate it into the kitchen design and what other materials you will use to complete its installation.

Ergonomic principles should be at the heart of every kitchen design, including the sink installation and appliance placement. Therefore, considering these elements, think long-term and also take into account the challenges that arise in the daily use of the sink. Through careful kitchen design, these inconveniences can be eliminated. And don't forget that needs will be different for each user, so you will need to adopt a suitable solution for all family members.