When we talk about cooking, the first practical question always concerns the numbers: the wall units must be mounted 50 cm from the work surface and, if the ceiling allows it, the overall height of the wall units settles around 220 cm. This unwritten rule but tested by carpenters and furnishing experts is the one that guarantees balance between comfort and safety.
Think about it for a moment: how many times do you happen to not be able to grab a cup because the wall unit is too high, or unlike the head because the door opens up to the face? The right measure therefore becomes a sort of “golden rule” to make the cuisine livable without strange or compromised precautions.
A curious anecdote: in a house with low ceilings, he tried to mount the wall units just 40 cm from the floor. The result? A feeling of suffocating closure and branches that hit with small appliances. After a few weeks, everything had to be redone. Hence the confirmation that the ideal distance is precisely the classic distance.
The hidden rule that makes everything easier
The height of the wall units is not only a question of centimeters, but of visual and functional harmony. A bit like the frame for a picture: if it is wrong, it disturbs the eye. The same happens in the kitchen. When the wall units are aligned with about 220 cm from the ground, a natural balance is created with columns, fridge and aspiring hood. Another important aspect is the daily practicality. On average, the height useful for an average stature person varies between 150 and 170 cm. This means that with a standard assembly you can comfortably reach two effortless shelves, while the highest ones remain for the less used objects. A logical distribution that avoids waste of space.
After all, who has never thought: “I use that shelf only for the trays that I shoot out twice a year”? Here, the practical rule also takes into account this detail.
Necessary to mount the wall units without errors
Before screwing the first screw, it is better to have everything you need at hand. A drill and a meter are not enough, but there are tools that facilitate and make the job safe. Preparing the material is like setting the table: if a place is missing, you can see immediately.
- Percussion drill with wall tips
- Rigid meter or laser for precise measurements
- Bubble level (or digital)
- Tasselli and screws suitable for the type of wall
- Squad or slim of drilling
- Shipyard pencil to score points
With these tools, the work lines smooth and the unexpected ones are reduced.
Quick steps to fix the wall units
Mount the wall units is not complicated if you follow some logical steps. More than a technical work, it looks like a small choreography where each gesture follows the previous one.
- Measure the height of the work surface and mark 50 cm above.
- Trace a horizontal line with the level.
- Mark the fixing points based on the brackets.
- Drill and insert the pieces.
- Fasten the brackets and hang the wall units.
- Check the final alignment and tighten the screws.
With this sequence the margin of error is reduced to a minimum.
Errors to avoid absolutely
Although you look like a linear job, there are many traps in which many fall. Some may seem trivial, but in the long run they become annoying like a narrow shoe.
- Fit the wall units without checking the level.
- Use unsuitable pieces to the type of wall.
- Fix without considering the presence of pipes or cables.
- Leave irregular spaces between one wall unit and another.
- Do not predict the position of the hood.
These errors have wasting more time to remedy than doing well immediately.
When and where it is better to adapt the measures
The 50 cm rule is not an absolute dogma. In some situations it is better to make small adjustments. A kitchen with very high ceiling, for example, risks seeming disproportionate with too low wall units. In these cases you can go up to 55 or 60 cm to visually lengthen the wall.
On the contrary, in houses with low stature inhabitants you can go down to 45 cm. The important thing is not to overdo it, because each deviation affects the overall ergonomics and harmony. It is a bit like adjusting the seat of a bicycle: if too high or too low, the pedaling becomes tiring.
Curiosity and practical advice of experts
Many carpenters say that the best kitchens are “customized as a customized dress”. It is not enough to follow the standard scheme, but you need to look at those who really use space. In a family with small children, for example, less deep wall units are preferred to avoid accidental impacts.
Another advice concerns the use of integrated lighting under the wall units. In addition to improving visibility on the work surface, light creates a visual effect that lightens the structure. It’s like adding an invisible window over the hob.
Finally, it should not be forgotten that the materials also affect: glass wall units or with light doors seem lighter and allow you to dare a few more centimeters in height, without creating a sense of oppression.
In summary, the real practical rule is not only that of centimeters, but the ability to adapt the measures to the context and to people.
A well -thought out kitchen is not measured only in meters, but in daily comfort.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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