Kitchen Planning Guide

5 Essential Dimensions for the Indian Kitchen

Important kitchen measurements to make your modular kitchen more practical, comfortable and easy to use.

Atlas Kitchen • Updated September 7, 2020

Most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen. The following measurements can help make an Indian kitchen more comfortable and practical. In many Indian homes, kitchens are semi-modular and the counters are often laid by builders, so checking dimensions early is important.

1. Kitchen Counter Height

The optimal kitchen counter height for many Indian kitchens is around 34 inches, or slightly lower depending on the height of the person using it.

Preparation Surface

This surface can be slightly more than 34 inches, around 3 to 4 inches below the elbow. It is mainly used for cutting vegetables and preparation work.

Cooking Surface

This is the surface where cooking happens. It can be around 2 inches lower than the preparation surface and about 5 inches below the elbow, close to 34 inches.

Low-Level Surface

This surface is around 8 inches below the elbow and is useful for intensive tasks such as kneading dough or butchering meat.

2. Counter Depth

The standard kitchen counter depth is usually 24 inches, or 2 feet. For smaller kitchens or shorter users, the depth can be adjusted for better access and movement.

3. Wall Cabinet Height

The distance between the counter and wall cabinets should be at least 20 inches. In many Indian homes, the backsplash is around 24 inches and cabinets are fixed above it.

4. Kitchen Triangle

The kitchen triangle is formed by the sink, stove and refrigerator. For comfortable use, the total perimeter should not be too large. The old guide recommends keeping it below 275 inches.

5. Other Counter Space

Having around 12 inches of counter space on one side of the stove can help with preparation work and make cooking more comfortable.

Why Kitchen Dimensions Matter

Correct dimensions make daily kitchen work easier. The right counter height reduces strain, the right counter depth improves access and the right wall cabinet height makes storage more convenient.

Before finalising a modular kitchen, it is best to take proper site measurements and plan the layout around the people who will use the kitchen most often.