Standard sizes of an apron for the kitchen

The kitchen is the center of attraction for all family members. Small or spacious, separate or combined with the living room, the kitchen should be not only functional, but also beautiful. Not always ready-made kitchen models can harmoniously fit into the existing interior. And even when creating a project for a future kitchen "from scratch" it is sometimes quite difficult to combine all the elements of furniture into a single composition. An apron for the kitchen is designed to help in this difficult issue, as well as to create a unique inimitable mood in the room.

The main task of the kitchen backsplash is to protect the wall adjacent to the headset from heat and splashes during cooking. In this regard, the cloth from which the aprons are made must have a number of practical qualities: it is easy to wash, be tolerant of various types of cleaning agents and high temperatures, and have excellent moisture resistance. Paint, plaster, oilcloth, washable wallpaper in the kitchen are a thing of the past. They are not able to withstand steam and abrasives, they can absorb harmful grease, creating a favorable environment for the development of bacteria. They were replaced by modern materials.

If the owners have already decided on the design of the future kitchen, it's time to take care of the choice of an apron (variety, colors, sizes). There is a GOST, according to which the manufacturer makes aprons for the kitchen with a height of 45-60 cm.However, it is difficult to say that everyone needs to adhere to standard sizes. Often, the height of the apron is selected taking into account the individual characteristics of the owners of the future kitchen and the structural nuances of the room. Let's consider these points in more detail.

The kitchen should be not only aesthetic, but also practical. Manufacturers of ready-made kitchen furniture offer sets with a height of floor sections of 80 cm. However, undersized owners or people with disabilities will find such a height of the work surface uncomfortable. The same can be said about tall people who will be forced to work while standing, bending over the work surface, thereby creating unnecessary stress on the back and joints. The ability to adjust the legs can not always save the situation.

Everyday work in the kitchen should bring pleasure to a modern person. Therefore, if it is possible to manufacture custom-made kitchen furniture, first of all, the individual characteristics of a person are taken into account. Hanging cabinets should be located at eye level (standard - 1.5 meters from the floor). The shelves are mounted no higher than an arm's length so that the future hostess (or owner) does not have to reach for dishes and other kitchen utensils. Thus, the required height of the kitchen apron is determined - from 45 to 70 cm.

Models of washing machines and stoves can be conditionally divided into built-in and free-standing. When it comes to built-in appliances, it is quite simple to determine the height of the apron for the kitchen - measurements are taken along one conditional line (countertop), the plane of which is strictly horizontal and adjoins the wall at right angles. A washing machine and a dishwasher can be hidden under the countertop, and the hob is mounted directly into it.

When it comes to stand-alone equipment, it is worth considering its dimensions, while observing safety requirements. So, there must be a distance of at least 5 cm between the wall and the gas or electric stove for proper ventilation and air exchange. The washing machine must also be positioned at a certain distance from the wall so that it can be easily connected to the drainage system. It is also necessary to leave at least 2 cm gaps on the sides in cases where the washing machine or dishwasher is located between kitchen cabinets. This is due to the peculiarities of vibration during the operation of such equipment.

When using a free-standing technique, the height of the apron increases by several centimeters for allowances that will be lowered so that the walls are not visible through the gaps formed. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that the equipment located in the center of the headset can partially or completely cover the apron. Therefore, it is worth paying attention in advance to the pattern and length of the canvas, because it is inappropriate to "hide" the apron behind the refrigerator or oven.

Do not forget about small household appliances for the kitchen: electric kettles, coffee makers, microwave ovens, blenders, etc. It is necessary to think in advance about the number, location and height of sockets in order to avoid cluttering of appliances in the kitchen and unsafe laying of power cords. As you know, there are many sources of high humidity in the kitchen, so it should be remembered that under no circumstances should the sockets be located in the immediate vicinity of the sink and stove.

The height of the kitchen backsplash can be uniform along the entire length of the canvas, but in some cases, the height should be changed to suit the design features of the kitchen. Difficulties arise with corner headset models, as well as in those places where the hood is located or there are open shelves.

As a rule, to protect the walls in the interval from the working surface of the countertop to the bottom of the wall cabinets, a 2 cm allowance is added to the width of the apron. With a hood, things are a little more complicated. According to the current GOST, the distance from the surface of the electric stove to the hood must be at least 65 cm (from the gas stove - at least 75 cm). The gap between the upper edge of the apron and the lower edge of the hood will not look aesthetically pleasing, so this point should be taken into account in advance, regardless of which hood model is subsequently chosen.

The advantage of kitchens with high ceilings is the ability to experiment with variations of the headset, creating a variety of models with different heights of cabinets or shelves. However, designers advise against installing open shelves higher than 2.1 meters from the floor. An apron can also be used to resolve the issue with the resulting space above the kitchen cabinets. There are several visual techniques, thanks to which you can harmoniously divide the space.

When creating a model of a future kitchen, conditionally divide the wall horizontally into four pairwise equal parts. For example, let's take a ceiling height of 3.0 meters:

• the first line at a height of 85 cm limits the height of the floor elements of kitchen furniture, at this level the work surface (countertop) is located;
• the second line runs 65 cm higher than the first, conventionally limits the height of the kitchen apron;
• the third line is another 85 cm higher than the previous one, denotes the maximum height of wall cabinets and other elements of the kitchen set;
• after another 65 cm, the line of the ceiling itself passes.

Thus, by conventionally dividing the wall into four proportionally equal parts, you can visually combine the space and make it one. In this case, the kitchen apron duplicates the free space from the upper border of the cabinets to the ceiling, creating the impression of spaciousness and cleanliness. It is recommended to use plain colors and calm patterns for the apron design.

Open shelves above the work surface will help to "push back" the ceiling as much as possible. In some cases, it is advisable to install tall wall cabinets that extend to the ceiling. When using facing tiles, the apron can rise in places, gradually dissolving in the wall space.

There are many criteria for choosing a material for decorating a kitchen apron. The main ones are price, durability, complexity of installation and decorative properties. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of the most popular materials.

• PVC panels with print - the most budgetary option for decorating a kitchen apron, the main advantages of which are a wide range of colors, a large selection of patterns, ease of installation. But there is a significant drawback - fragility. The material cannot be treated with abrasive detergents and is not resistant to high temperatures.

• MDF panels - the option is slightly more expensive than the previous one. The advantages are ease of installation and long service life. The disadvantages include low decorative properties.
• Ceramic tile - the traditional design of the apron. It is the leader in durability and ease of maintenance. The tiles are completely safe to use, and the price can range from budget options to elegant luxury. The variety of sizes allows you to find a model for an apron of any width. The downside of the material is the complexity of the installation, so it is better to entrust this matter to professionals.

• Skinali - a modern solution for young designers, provide an opportunity to bring zest to the kitchen interior, create a unique style, a special mood. Increasingly, skins are chosen due to their endless variety, bright juicy colors and relatively long service life. However, this material also has disadvantages - high price and complexity of installation.
• Glass or acrylic mosaic - a material that is rarely found in modern kitchens. This exclusive solution costs a lot. Installation is carried out only by specialists, however, in terms of decorativeness, this material confidently occupies a leading position.

To calculate the length and width of a kitchen apron, you first need to decide on the material. It is enough to simply calculate the required dimensions if a solid sheet of MDF or PVC panels is used. To do this, using a tape measure, the distance from the beginning to the end of the headset is measured, from the tabletop line to the lower edge of the wall cabinets.

When using tiles, it is customary to arrange the side parts to a line equal to the width of the table top. Tile manufacturers offer a wide range of sizes, but it will not be difficult for you to choose the exact size that will be a multiple of the width of the kitchen section module. For example, the width of the cabinet under the sink is 80 cm. In this case, tiles with an edge width of 20 cm, both square and rectangular, will look laconic. When laying tiles on the first layer, the use of a level is required. The tile is laid in such a way that its lower edge is at least 10 cm below the table top line. A special kitchen skirting board will help to hide the first seam.

It is more difficult to calculate the number and required dimensions of glass or acrylic mosaics. It is better to entrust this question to professionals. Some types of abstract mosaics are made on special plates of the same size, due to which, when laid, the pattern is repeated at regular intervals. In this case, you can calculate the required dimensions yourself. If a specific picture or drawing is laid out with a mosaic, then you should rely on the master.

For information on how to measure an apron for the kitchen, see the next video.