Sizes of aprons in the kitchen: features of selection and installation

An apron in the kitchen has not only a decorative purpose. It provides convenience during food processing and protects the walls from contamination. It has its own specific dimensions, because it must cover the entire space of the wall in the working area.

The standard sizes of this kitchen attribute have existed since Soviet times, when apartments and the kitchen had standard sizes, and furniture was also produced according to standards. Therefore, the standard parameters of the apron are determined by the size of standard furniture.

When determining the standard width, providing for average human height:

• standard height of floor stands, which is equal to 85cm;
• a distance from the bottom of the wall cabinets to the floor, usually 140 cm.

The width of the apron in the kitchen is the difference between these two indicators, to which 2 cm is added: 140-85 + 2 = 57 cm. Its lower edge should be at least 10 mm lower than the edge of the countertop and go as much as its upper border behind the hinged cupboard.

However, its width is affected by the arrangement of furniture. If the wall cabinets are located in one line and at the same level, then the apron is made in the form of the same strip. If there are gaps between the cabinets and they are located at different heights, then the apron has a curly shape.

The presence of an exhaust system also affects the size of the apron and depends on the type of design.

Currently, when there are a variety of kitchen layouts and sizes, these standards may vary. When determining the width, the following indicators are also taken into account:

• hob or hob height;
• the presence of household appliances (dishwasher and washing machine), their height is also taken into account;
• type of material used for the apron;
• growth of the hostess, as she usually cooks.

There are two solutions to the problem: either change the dimensions of the apron, or adjust the material to the apron.

Glass panels can have a standard width of 60 cm, but usually they are larger (200 to 360 cm). In this case, they must be made to order.

This also applies to MDF, chipboard, the standard width of which is 15-90 cm, so they need to be cut into the necessary fragments.

The most convenient material for an apron is ceramic tile. It usually has a square shape and dimensions of 10x10 cm, 20x20 cm or 30x30 cm. Tiled material is easy to choose for both standard and individual size kitchens.

In addition to the standard parameter of the width of the apron, there is also its optimal size. It depends on the dimensions of the elements of the headset for the kitchen, the height of the ceiling, the growth of the hostess and can be 47-117 cm.

The presence in the kitchen of dishwasher and washing equipment allows the maximum width of the apron. The height of the countertops increases and at the same time the level of the hinged shelves and cabinets rises. If there are high ceilings in the kitchen, the distance to the wall mezzanines can even reach 100 + 2 cm - this will be the width of the apron.

In a limited-area kitchen with a low ceiling, the width of the apron coating will be minimal and can be 50 cm. In this case, the furniture should have standard sizes.

An important component of the size of the apron is its height.

This height is influenced by such factors.

• Dimensions of floor stands and cabinets. The standard is the size of the furniture within 85-91 cm. The height of the kitchen furniture should be slightly lower than the person’s waist to ensure convenience during work. This is the main indicator of its size. Therefore, the lower level of the apron will also be located exactly at this height from the floor. If the growth of the owners is very high, then the height of the cabinet can increase to 95 cm.
• The height of the hob or stove. Sometimes the dimensions of the plate are slightly larger than the height of other furniture components. In a similar situation, the height of the apron is measured from the lowest floor cabinet or cabinet.
• If the height of both plates and furniture is the same size, then the minimum height will be 45 plus 2 cm, which are necessary for entering behind the countertop. The height from wall cabinets to the floor is usually 152 cm, of which 47 are the width of the apron. For convenience, it is customary to select furniture in accordance with the height of the plate.
• The presence of household appliances. In the same way, the built-in washing machine or dishwasher also affects the height of the apron. If you plan to place them under the countertop, then the optimal apron height is determined based on their size. Often it can exceed the standard.
• The growth of the hostess, which is of no small importance, since convenience in cooking is an indicator of the functionality of the desktop. During work, a person should maintain the correct position of the body: to stand upright, without bending, not hunching, hands should be in a comfortable position.
• The height of floor furniture is 85-91 cm It is most convenient for medium growth.It is important that the bottom surface of the wall elements is at the level of a person’s hand raised to shoulder level.

This size of the height of the apron depends on the location of the wall mounted mezzanines, shelves and other furniture elements. As a rule, they are placed in accordance with the growth of a person. Therefore, the height of the apron from the countertop can be different and range from 47 to 117 cm. But usually the mezzanines are mounted at a height of 1.35 to 1.5 m from the floor. With this arrangement, the gap between them and the countertop will be approximately 45-60 cm, and the width of the apron coating will be 65 cm. This height of the apron from the countertop will make it easy to reach the lower shelf in the cabinet by hand.

The easiest option is when the hood is built into the wall cabinets. The height from the countertop will be the same as to the wall mezzanines.

If the hood is built in separately (as in the case of flat, inclined or domed models), then the space formed up to the wall shelves is covered with the same material as the apron, that is, its height will be much greater.

An apron with such a height can be decorated in three ways: to the lower level of the hood surface, to the hinged shelves and mezzanines, to the ceiling. If the mezzanines reach the ceiling, then the height of the apron will also be to the ceiling.

The selection of this kitchen attribute is a purely individual matter, in which you need to consider all of the above points. Besides, in the process of its selection and installation, the following features should also be taken into account:

• the dimensions of the apron are determined by the dimensions of the floor and hanging furniture, and are not an abstract calculation;
• its dimensions are not a constant value, they do not have strictly limited parameters, since even in one kitchen an apron can be of different heights and widths;
• its lower boundary is determined by the height of the floor furniture, and the upper one by the location of the hinged elements.

The apron should have a clear straight line: this emphasizes the aesthetics of the furniture. But sometimes the floor in the kitchen has a slight slope and therefore it is necessary that the apron is 2 cm below the level of the countertop.

Choosing an apron, it is necessary first of all to think over the arrangement of furniture, measure the height of the floor and the level of wall furniture or choose a ready-made kitchen set.

The easiest way is to choose the right apron size if the kitchen uses ready-made headsets that have standard dimensions. Then the apron will be close to the standard.

Sometimes the upper part of kitchen sets includes oversized cabinets and has additional open shelves that do not cover the wall. In this case, the feature of installing the apron is that it will have a different level: its upper border should reach the bottom surface of each element of furniture.

When choosing a facing material for an apron, you need to take into account the features of its installation. Ceramic tiles are used very often for cladding an apron, as it is easier to adjust to the required dimensions. If some discrepancies occur, in order not to cut the tile, adjusting it to the desired size, it is easier to make the gap under the cabinet or tabletop a little more.

Therefore, to mezzanines hung evenly, you will need to install a special rail, to which they are attached.In addition, tile laying is quite complicated and requires the participation of a professional craftsman.

The convenience of plastic panels lies in the simplicity of their installation: special profiles are used on the upper and lower levels, into which the panels are easily inserted. MDF panels are also easy to install, but they need to be selected in accordance with and together with a countertop or headset.

Glass aprons come in 2 types:

• monolithic panel, it is attached to the wall with bolts or anchors;
• glass tiles of different sizes: they are laid like ceramic tiles.

The glass panel can not always be sized. Then you need to make it to order or change the arrangement of furniture.

To strengthen monolithic structures and panels, screws, hinged fasteners, liquid nails, glue are used. Another necessary point is the installation of outlets. In panels that are easy to trim (MDF, plastic), holes for sockets in the apron are made before installation, and on the ceramic coating, the sockets are installed after installation.

The design of the apron is also influenced by interior design. The closest sizes to the standard standards are the apron in the classic kitchen, which uses traditional wall cabinets with two doors. Making an apron of smaller sizes (up to 47-57 cm) in such a kitchen is not recommended, since a feeling of a heap of furniture will be visually created.

The apron in the loft style kitchen, in which there are no wall mezzanines, but only open shelves and an open hood, will be slightly different. In such a kitchen, the height of the apron will be arbitrary, and only aesthetic appeal is taken into account.

When choosing an apron, such nuances are also important.

• It is undesirable that it be of a very bright color: eyes get tired of this. It is better to choose moderate shades.
• The glossy finish makes the color more saturated, and matte gives pallor.
• In kitchens with a small area, an apron with a large pattern looks very voluminous, but in very large rooms, on the contrary, it looks unattractive.
• An apron with horizontal lines visually expands the space. The same effect creates a mirror and glass coating. But they have a significant drawback - any pollution is very noticeable on them.
• Aprons for a ready-made kitchen set should be harmoniously combined with its color.

In the next video, you will learn all about the ideal sizes and materials of the kitchen apron.