Office Kitchenette
Everything about designing an office kitchenette layout
An office Kitchenette can be designed in various sizes and shapes, depending on the space size and personnel capacity. It is often characterized by heavy-duty use, so durable finishes are key. Aim to offer an inviting kitchenette layout to foster employee gatherings!
Dimensions 📏
Rules Of Thumb 👍
Layout Examples ✏️
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- Kitchen Casework Modules
- Refrigerator Dimensions
- Kitchen Sink Dimensions
- Kitchen Appliances Dimensions
- Snack & Beverage Vending Machine Dimensions
- Dining Table Dimensions
Kitchens are dynamic and come in many styles, shapes, and sizes, depending on the space layout and the user’s personal preferences. The casework of a kitchen is either made by a dedicated kitchen company or custom-made by a carpenter.
The average size of one casework module is 60X60 cm, while 30x60 cm to 80x60 cm units are often incorporated in a kitchen as well to allow various use cases.
Refrigerator sizes, shapes, and finishes vary according to the supplier. A general benchmark for refrigerator dimensions is 60x65 cm - 70x120 cm, while mini bar sizes are approximately 40x45 cm.
Refrigerators can be roughly divided into two types: free-standing or integral. For free-standing refrigerators, make sure to allow ~7 cm from each side to open its door without clashing with the carpentry unit next to it. Integral refrigerators are embedded in the kitchen casework itself.
Kitchen sinks come in various sizes. A benchmark range is approximately 40x45 cm for a small sink to 55x80 cm for a large one.
When planning a kitchen in detail, notice there are many types of sinks, such as drop-in sinks, under-mounted sinks, double bowl sinks, and more. Carefully coordinate the sink with the tap and kitchen countertop according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure the result is seamless.
It's recommended to pre-plan the locations of the various electrical appliances that will be used. For example, a microwave can be implemented in many ways: on the countertop, in the casework units, or even as a double feature of an oven-microwave appliance combined. Planning ahead and getting into the details will make for a seamless kitchen.
Above are some appliance dimensions benchmarks - make sure to look into the manufacturer sheet of the chosen appliance you will be implementing to get its exact dimensions.
Placing a vending machine in an office kitchenette is a great way to ensure employees can satisfy their hunger or thirst anytime by providing round-the-clock access to snacks and beverages for people to grab on a busy day!
A vending machine's average range of dimensions is between 79x73 cm to 79x130 cm.
The dining tables of an office kitchenette provide functional and versatile spaces for dining and socializing during breaks or lunchtime. They come in various sizes and shapes (such as rectangular, round, and picnic tables with benches).
- Rectangular dining table dimensions range from approx. 90x90 cm to 240x90 cm.
- Round dining table dimensions range from a radius of approx. 110 cm to 150 cm.
- Picnic tables with benches dimensions range from approx. 150x160 cm to 210x180 cm.
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- Kitchen Clearance & Circulation
- Seating Clearance & Circulation
- Bench Table Size Calculation
- Kitchen Appliance Spacing
- Dishwasher Placement
Circulation in the kitchen is essential as it is a central office area where many people come together and bypass throughout the day.
- The minimal to spacious work zone in front of the kitchen counter is between 90 cm - 120 cm.
- The minimal circulation area to add to the kitchen usage zone is 75 cm.
- When integrating an island with chairs, allow for 75 cm behind it for comfortable seating.
Circulation around tables should be sufficient to allow people to walk comfortably without disturbing others. To this end, ensuring a minimum passage width of 75-90 cm between tables is recommended. Spacing between chairs should be as follows:
- Compact arrangement: 65 cm from the center of a chair to the chair near it and 38 cm from the wall to the chair. 40-45 cm clearance behind the chair for seating.
- Spacious arrangement: 75 cm from the center of a chair to the chair near it and 40 cm from the wall to the chair. 70-75 cm clearance behind the chair for seating.
Bench tables can be commercially manufactured or custom-made, depending on the need and budget. To calculate the size of a custom-made bench table, note that:
- The minimal dining space area per person is 40x60cm.
- The spacing between plate settings is 20~ cm.
- The distance from the side of the table to the seat should be approx 40~ cm.
For ergonomic use and functionality, it is important to allow correct spacing between objects in a kitchen.
- The minimal counter width from the side of a sink to a wall should be 30 cm when designing a compact kitchen. For an average size kitchen and larger, it should be at least 60 cm.
- The gap between a refrigerator, microwave, or other electrical appliance to a wall should be ~0.7 cm rather than flushed to open its door smoothly (depending on the appliance type).
A dishwasher promotes a clean and hygienic environment in an office kitchenette. Placing the dishwasher near the sink ensures a smooth workflow when rinsing, loading, and unloading dishes.
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- Single-Row Kitchenette
- Tow-Row Hybrid Seating Kitchenette
- L-Shaped Kitchenette
- L-Shaped Hybrid Seating Kitchenette
- U-Shaped Kitchenette
- U-Shaped Hybrid Seating Kitchenette
Single-row kitchens are particularly suitable for small places where optimizing space is crucial. They make efficient use of a single wall, leaving more open floor space, and can be customized to suit an office's requirements.
While a single-row kitchen is compact, it can still be functional by incorporating different configurations and storage solutions available to maximize space and functionality.
The parallel arrangement of a two-row kitchenette facilitates a streamlined workflow for cases where many employees are in the kitchen at once during a lunch break, providing ample countertop space.
To create a multifunctional, hybrid layout, mix an island bar with stools for a casual coffee, traditional tables for a proper lunch, and a lounge area for a laid-back eating break.
An L-shaped kitchenette utilizes two walls, leaving the center of the kitchen open for circulation and dining tables.
This design fosters a collaborative and welcoming atmosphere, suitable for quick breaks or discussions among colleagues.
The L-shaped office kitchenette efficiently arranges its workspace along two walls, keeping the central area open for easy circulation and dining setups.
To create a dynamic layout, an L-shaped kitchenette can be part of an open space kitchen that incorporates a lounge area, allowing employees to enjoy a variety of seating options.
The U-shaped kitchenette layout provides ample countertop space along three sides of a room. This arrangement encourages efficient multitasking during lunch breaks and facilitates collaboration or independent food and snack preparation.
The U-shaped kitchenette utilizes three walls to maximize space efficiency, with countertops along each side.
Incorporating a central island into this layout adds versatility, serving as a hub for quick bites or casual conversations. Mixing various seating options throughout the kitchenette caters to different individual preferences, creating a dynamic environment.
'The only thing you can count on in the office is lunch break' 🥪
Last modified 1mo ago