Ergonomics is one of the buzzwords of our time. More frequently, it is also mentioned in connection with contemporary kitchen design. The ambition of ergonomic design is to optimize the working conditions, the work process, the arrangement of the objects to be graspedand and the to-use devices with regard to space and time in a way that results get at their best and parties tire as little as possible. Kitchen manufacturer focus increasingly on ergonomic kitchen design.

An individual and thereby formfitting kitchen design is the answer to high cabinets which are difficult to reach, to not fully extendable pull-outs and to poorly planned working areas. Short distances, the ideal use of the available space, good light and also an optimal working height ensure a more efficient working and a healthy back posture. The working height can now easily be determined with the so-called ergonoMeter©, offered by “Arbeitsgemeinschaft Die Moderne Küche e.V.” (AMK). It is the world’s first measure that uses the elbow height of the kitchen user as reference to determine the optimum working height. “The ideal working height is 10 to 15 cm below the level of your elbow,” says Kirk Mangels, CEO of the AMK. The ergonoMeter is already offered by qualified kitchen retailers and furniture stores with kitchen departments. Discerning clients have the possibility to customize their modern kitchen to the body size by electrically height adjustable base systems. The optimum space utilization of a kitchen can be achieved by a sensible division of the room in work zones and functional areas. By this, unnecessary work paths can be avoided.

Moreover, ergonomically designed kitchens include a variety of details. These include drawers and pull-out drawers with damping which are designed clearly and slip freely inside, or at eye level built-in ovens and steamers. Instead, the higher built-in dishwasher is an essential new feature that will be greeted with considerable enthusiasm.

Example of a modern kitchen with integrated and electrically height adjustable countertop. (Image: AMK)

The ergonoMeter© for the measurement of the optimum work height. (Images: AMK)