Kitchen design influences how comfortable and efficient your daily routine feels. Among the most important details to consider while renovating your kitchen is the bench height.
A well-planned bench height makes meal preparation easier and helps prevent back strain from awkward bending. Choosing the right measurement can also enhance the overall flow of your kitchen, and improve safety and functionality.
The concept of a standard bench height provides a helpful starting point when planning your space. By knowing the most common dimensions, you can assess whether they suit your household or if adjustments are needed. In this article, you learn all about the standard kitchen bench heights in Australia and find out if these dimensions are the right match for you. Stay tuned to learn more!
What is the Standard Kitchen Bench Height?
The standard kitchen bench height is 90cm. By a standard kitchen bench height, we mean the measure taken from the floor to the top of the countertop. But where does this 90cm rule come from?
To calculate a standard kitchen bench height in cm, designers consider the average person while preparing food or completing daily tasks in the kitchen.
By setting these standard numbers, we can reach a consistency that makes the planning and insulation of kitchen benches more efficient. In short, it’s a simple yet important measurement that ensures comfort in the heart of your home.
The Australian Context: Standard Kitchen Bench Height Australia
In Australia, the standard kitchen bench height is also set at 90cm. This figure is widely used across the country by cabinet makers and builders, even though it is not strictly enforced by residential building codes.
Its widespread adoption makes it the recognised industry standard that ensures kitchens across Australia are built with functionality in mind.
The Ergonomic Principle: Comfort Beyond the Standard
While the standard bench height of 90cm works for many, true comfort is best determined by ergonomics. A simple way to test the right height is to stand upright with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle. Ideally, your bench should align with that level. This ensures your arms and back are supported during food preparation.
The 90cm measurement represents a compromise that works well for the average height range, but it is not always perfect for everyone. Taller individuals may find themselves stooping, while shorter people may feel strain in their shoulders. In these cases, a customised height can make a big difference in daily comfort.
Silk Touch Joinery helps clients achieve this level of personalisation, and design benches that are built around their real lifestyle needs. By considering both standard dimensions and ergonomic comfort, you can create a kitchen that feels natural, efficient, and easy to use every day.
Considering a Different Bench Height or a Multi-Level Island
Many modern kitchens now feature islands with two levels. This design makes use of the standard 90cm height on one side for cooking and food preparation, while incorporating a raised section at around 106-110cm.
The higher area provides a natural spot for seating, often referred to in relation to standard bench seat height. It also helps conceal cooking mess while giving guests a place to gather.
If you are interested in this new, practical trend, you should know that at Silk Touch Joinery, multi-level kitchen design trends can be tailored to suit your space and lifestyle. So don’t hesitate to contact us and find the standard kitchen bench height for your home.
Matching Bench Height to Bar Stool Height
Pairing the correct stool with your bench is necessary for comfort and ease of use in your day-to-day life. For a standard kitchen bench height of 90cm, the recommended stool seat height is 60-65cm.
This provides the right balance of seating and legroom. For a raised breakfast bar at 106-110cm, stools with a seat height of 76-81cm are ideal. Leaving 25-30cm of clearance between the underside of the bench and the seat allows enough space for comfort.
Key Takeaways and Final Checklist
The standard bench height in Australia as well as other countries is considered 90cm to suit most households and provide the majority of homeowners with comfort.
Ergonomics play a major role in said comfort, which means that the standard height for kitchen bench can deviate from the industry standard mentioned above. In such cases, one way to find the best bench height for you and your home is to do the elbow-bend test, which we explained above.
As for the seating, you can pair benches with stools that provide 25-30cm of clearance for comfortable use. Multi-level islands can also add value by separating prep areas from social spaces.
No matter if you end up going with the global standard kitchen bench height of 90cm or if you need one of the customized options above, Silk Touch Joinery can always help you make your kitchen as beautiful and as comfortable as you possibly could. All that’s standing between you and a free consultation with our specialists is a call. So, don’t hesitate and contact us today!