How to organize space in the kitchen: standard ergonomics vs improved ergonomics

If it is necessary to furnish catering establishments, experts do not recommend using ordinary sofas, tables, and chairs. Despite their affordable price, the final costs will be significant, since such products are not intended for intensive use; accordingly, they will quickly become unusable, losing their presentable appearance. Another thing is specialized furniture for restaurants, cafes, bars, which is initially designed taking into account increased loads. Products are made from more durable materials using special technologies, as a result of which they receive important characteristics - high wear resistance, ease of maintenance, and the possibility of quick restoration. Thanks to the varied and original design, everyone will be able to choose a set that perfectly matches the interior of the room.

Primary requirements

Requirements for furniture for restaurants, cafes, bars are specified in the relevant GOSTs. There are several fundamental criteria:

1. Easy care. The flow of visitors can be intense, so it is important that tables, chairs, and sofas are easy to put in order and clean when new guests arrive.
2. Practicality. Such furniture should not break quickly. If it turns out to be fragile, it will constantly fail, purchasing a new one every time is economically unprofitable.
3. Possibility of restoration. If minor breakdowns do occur, it should be possible to quickly and easily repair the product. In this case, you will not have to spend additional money on purchasing a new set.
4. Wear resistance. Furniture for a restaurant and other catering establishments must be designed to be constantly used by customers - often up to 20 hours a day.

For soft chairs and sofas, it is advisable to provide removable covers. It’s easier to keep them clean by constantly putting them in the wash. It will not be possible to restore ordinary upholstery to its original form so quickly.

Easy care

Reliability of structures

Maintainability

Wear resistance

Equipped with removable covers

Dining area location

The dining area is an area where close people gather not only to eat, but also to tell each other about their joys and sorrows. It is advisable that the table be designed for possible guests. The dining area should be beautiful, cozy and comfortable for everyone.

A round table looks beautiful, but it is inconvenient to position, so it is not suitable for a small kitchen. In accordance with ergonomics, the dining area should be at a distance of 90 cm from the working surface, and if chairs are placed around the table, then at a distance of 110 cm. The distance from the dining area to the stove and table with drawers is at least one and a half meters, from the dining area to the sink - at least a meter.

Modern kitchen ergonomics allows you not only to significantly save energy and time on hassles, but also to maintain your health. Designers always follow the basic principles of ergonomics, because a beautiful kitchen must be comfortable.

Basic equipment

The basic set of catering premises should include equipment for the hall, terrace, and office furniture. The main hall requires tables, chairs, a bar counter, soft sofas, wardrobes, chests of drawers, and bar stools. The required number of elements is determined depending on the number of visitors for whom the establishment is designed. It is believed that 1.6 square meters are allocated for each client.

Required kit for the terrace:

• table for serving dishes;
• chairs;
• tables;
• sofas;
• clothes hangers.

Office furniture includes: computer desk, cabinets, armchairs, chairs.

It is important to know the features of the main elements and their varieties. Bar counters are contactless (without seats). They are produced for restaurants with separate seating areas and small cafes. There are also island-type stands, which are also not designed for planting. Used on terraces.

Contact ones are produced mainly for the bar. There is a whole culture of drinking alcohol behind the bar, which includes obligatory communication with the bartender. Its supporting element is the frame of the counter. Everything else is attached to it:

• bartender's work surface;
• guest tabletop;
• facade;
• upper tier;
• wall display module;
• folding counter;
• components, accessories.

Racks can be angular or straight. The choice depends on the area and design of the room. The trend of recent years is the maximum use of natural materials (oak, maple, larch), a combination of traditional and modern styles, and laconic design.

Shelves for the display of alcohol are installed in establishments so that the client can evaluate what drinks are in the assortment. This is a kind of menu analogue. It is beneficial for restaurateurs that the visitor wants to place an order without paying attention to the cost, but simply by seeing an attractive bottle. Such shelves are made of valuable wood. They should look rich and presentable, creating a feeling of success and prosperity in the client.

Rules for selecting furniture for a hairdressing salon, requirements for products

Reception desks are located at the entrance. This is often the first thing a visitor sees. Therefore, it is important that the reception desk looks respectable, immediately creating the appropriate impression of a restaurant or cafe. This furniture is usually made from natural wood.

Chairs and tables also play an important role in shaping the interior. The choice depends on the type of establishment:

1. For inexpensive cafes and fast food establishments, simple plastic chairs and tables are suitable. You can attract customers with bright colors and original shapes. Products should be light, so that they can be easily moved when cleaning, and put in order using a variety of detergents. For inexpensive eateries, these factors become decisive. The main disadvantage is rapid wear resistance.
2. For establishments in the Provence style, you will need metal chairs with forged openwork backs and small round tables made of the same metal.
3. A classic interior involves purchasing Viennese chairs, this will give the room elitism and sophistication.
4. If the cafe and restaurant are decorated in vintage style, the furniture should be aged.
5. Chairs and tables made of rattan are relevant for terraces and establishments in ethnic style.
6. Natural wood furniture is suitable for a country cafe. Knots and rough processing are allowed. This will add even more charm to the room.
7. Modern-style restaurants and cafes are equipped with soft poufs and sofas. If the owners of the establishment prefer chairs, they must be of an original ornate design.

The main criterion for choosing a bar stool is comfort and convenience. If the client needs to spend a lot of time at the counter, the furniture should have a back and armrests. An alternative is backless chairs with a rotating mechanism and a soft seat. The need for a backrest and armrests disappears if you lean your elbows on the counter. The soft seat will be provided by foam rubber.

A bar stool should be easy to move, so you should avoid heavy models.

Armchairs and sofas in catering establishments must correspond to the general style, be safe, comfortable, easy to clean and withstand intensive use. Appearance depends on the format:

• for loft-style rooms, upholstered furniture of restrained colors with laconic, strict lines is recommended;
• square armchairs in dark shades look good in a classic interior;
• in themed rooms, furniture should support the overall mood.

Safety and durability of furniture should be a priority - the visitor should not worry about whether the sofa or chair will support his weight.

Serving tables for staff should be convenient for work and create a sense of presentability for customers. In fashionable restaurants there is additional furniture. For example, mono-temperature and multi-temperature wine cabinets, it is customary to store expensive wines in them, which require special conditions for this.

Bright plastic furniture in a budget cafe

Combination of wooden and forged elements in a Provencal restaurant

Classic interior

Vintage cafe

Rattan furniture in a beach bar

Wooden tables and chairs in country style

Original forms in a modern concept restaurant

Sink and trash can: a practical upgrade ↑

We recommend choosing a sink with a large bowl so that the largest saucepan in the house can easily fit there.

The size of the sink bowl should allow you to wash the largest dishes in your home

The side “wing” and the second, small bowl are very convenient. If there is enough space for them.

The side wing will serve as an additional cutting surface. An additional bowl is an optional but convenient accessory

If you have a water filtration system, you should make sure that the sink allows you to install a second faucet for purified water, if you do not want to purchase an expensive faucet with a switch. It is inconvenient to wash large dishes under a faucet with a low spout, and splashes fly out from a high faucet when washing small dishes. The best, but not cheap, option is a faucet with a pull-out spout.

A pull-out spout on a kitchen faucet will not only make washing dishes more comfortable, but also reduce water consumption

We recommend purchasing a sink with a bottom valve that allows you to close the drain by turning the handle. The valve is more convenient than a plug, and due to the rise in prices for housing and communal services, it is more economical to wash dishes by pre-soaking them. Yes, and faster.

It is customary to keep the trash can under the sink. They opened the bottom cabinet door, took out a bucket, threw out the trash, and closed it. It will be easier if you hang the bucket on the door - there will be less movement.

Inexpensive but convenient trash can mounted on the cabinet door. Open the door and the lid of the bucket rises; close it and it lowers. No smell

The best option for placing a “trash bin” is built-in, under the work surface. A hole is made in the tabletop, and a container for garbage is placed under it. The hole and container are closed with a flat lid. You can purchase a sink with a built-in trash can, which is even more convenient. The presence of a grinder on the sewer drain will significantly reduce the volume of waste and almost eliminate the “aroma” of waste. Unfortunately, advanced waste collection and removal systems are not cheap.

The most convenient “trash bin” is one built into the countertop. It comes out easily - up.

Size standards

The dimensions of the furniture depend on the format of the establishment. The following table sizes are recommended in restaurants:

• for two guests - square (75 cm2);
• for 4 people - square (1 m2);
• for 6 - rectangular (180 x 75 cm2);
• for 8 - rectangular (240 x 80 cm2) or round (150 cm2);
• for 10 - round (180 cm2);
• for 12 - round (240 cm2).

How much furniture will be needed depends on the arrangement of furniture in the cafe. It is better to place round and square tables in a restaurant in a checkerboard pattern. Rectangular ones should be located in straight lines, parallel to the wall and to each other. The width of the passages is at least 2 meters (there should be 10–20 cm of free space from the wall). The part of the hall at the entrance door should remain free. With properly arranged furniture, visitors will feel comfortable.

Criteria for choosing industrial furniture, overview of varieties

The bar counter must meet the following parameters: width - 70–80 cm, tabletop thickness - at least 5 cm, height - up to 150 cm. The height of professional models is 114 cm. Organization of work inside the counter guarantees high productivity. Equipment, cabinets, and shelves for storing alcohol must be placed so that they can be reached while remaining in one place.

Corner counters are designed for small cafes. Direct ones are intended for restaurants and sports bars.

The dimensions of sofas and armchairs depend on the area of ​​the room. They shouldn't take up too much space. At the same time, furniture should not be allowed to “get lost” in the room. Restaurants often install high-back sofas to create “intimate” areas.

Optimal sizes of kitchen furniture.

The height and depth of work cabinets and tables correspond to the dimensions of gas and electric stoves. The depth of cabinets and tables in small kitchens can be reduced to 500 mm. However, in this case, the slabs will protrude above the common front of the cabinets and tables.

The height of the working cabinets and tables (850 mm) was taken based on the convenience of working in the kitchen for a housewife of average height (158-160 cm). This size is adjusted taking into account the individual height of the owner and is determined empirically. However, in this case, it is necessary to take into account the height of the slabs.

The depth of wall cabinets and shelves is 300 mm. Cabinets and shelves can be made smaller, but taking into account the size of the dishes and equipment they are intended to store.

Nuances of choice depending on purpose

The choice of furniture sets for cafes and restaurants should be based on their purpose. There are different requirements for indoor and outdoor varieties. However, in any case, the first thing people pay attention to is functionality and quality. At the time of purchase, you should independently check the furniture for comfort, as well as the compliance of chairs and armchairs with tables. The chair may be too high, the chair too soft, or the hawker unstable, making the visitor uncomfortable.

Even if the furniture for restaurants is designer, made in a non-standard form, it should be convenient to use, without the need for specific care.

As for outdoor furniture for cafes and restaurants, it can be standard or exclusive. It is made from wood, plastic, metal and rattan. When choosing, you should consider:

• functionality - the outdoor table must be stable;
• materials - durability and strength of structures are important;
• ergonomics - the comfort of visitors, which is influenced by the height of the armrests, comfortable seating for large clients;
• aesthetics - compliance of furniture for street cafes with the general concept of the interior.

You also need to take into account the hygiene of the products - the possibility of efficient and quick cleaning

Requirements for furniture for catering establishments

When thinking about what furniture to purchase for bars and cafes, it is important to evaluate not only the attractive, stylish appearance of the items, but also the technical parameters on which the comfort of visitors directly depends. Key features to look for:

1. Convenience, functionality.
2. Compliance with anthropometric requirements.
3. Strength, ability to withstand significant loads.

To avoid mistakes when purchasing custom-made bar furniture, you should consider the dimensions.

Requirements for tables

The key requirement for dining tables is stability and sufficient size of the tabletop, which can be square, rectangular, or round. Most often they are made on metal frames and have four supports - legs. In summer cafes and canteens there are often other options - one support with a cross at the base or two supports (the outline resembles the letter T). Plastic is often used for cladding.

Tables for restaurants are a piece of furniture that has an increased size of the table top; this is necessary for full serving, since visitors are offered a wider range of dishes than in other types of enterprises. Polyester films are used for coating, which protect the surface from moisture and temperature, scratches and other mechanical damage, and also reduce the noise level that inevitably accompanies any meal.

Metal is often used to construct the frame of these custom restaurant furniture pieces.

Table shapes:

• square;
• rectangular;
• round;
• hexagonal.

When ordering furniture for a restaurant in Moscow or another city, you should not ignore banquet and buffet tables. The first ones are intended for catering, are taller than regular dining ones, and are thicker. Additional stability is provided by shields on support legs. Buffet options are even higher; their main purpose is to be used at receptions where guests eat while standing.

To avoid mistakes when choosing furniture for cafes and restaurants, you should know its dimensions. The information is presented in table form:

Requirements for armchairs and chairs

The key requirement for them is compliance with the anthropometric characteristics of a person, that is, the height, width and depth of the seat must be selected in such a way that it is comfortable and safe for guests to sit on them.

Recommended parameters are presented in the table:

When choosing tables in a cafe, you should take into account that this piece of furniture must have chairs of a suitable height; for the comfort of guests, the tabletop must be located at least 30 cm from the seat.

Other requirements:

1. The presence of armrests will create additional convenience.
2. The back of the chair is no higher than 900-1000 mm from the floor.
3. The base can be either metal or wood.
4. Covering - leather, synthetic materials such as polystyrene foam, leatherette, bouclé.

Chairs are the most important pieces of furniture for a restaurant, so purchasing them should be taken seriously.

Requirements for choosing a bar counter

They represent the most important element of the interior design of a pub or bar. This is where regulars like to settle down to enjoy a glass of beer while enjoying a pleasant conversation.

Mandatory requirements:

1. The presence of a footrest.
2. Table height – 1550 mm.
3. Tabletop width – 350 mm.
4. Working surface depth – 870 mm.

Solid wood, veneer, natural stone, and ceramics can be used for decorative finishing. Additional decorations often include carvings, mosaics, enamel, metal or enameled elements. Wood, metal, marble, and pressed marble chips are used to make countertops.

Requirements for bar stools and stools

The counter and stools should be an ideal pair, harmoniously combined in size.

The main parameters are presented in the table:

The optimal model is a stool with a swivel seat; for the best comfort, you can purchase options with armrests or a backrest.

Requirements for sofas and couches

Upholstered furniture for restaurants, cafes, bars will help create genuine comfort and homeliness in the room. Armchairs or sofas for the dining room should be chosen in such a way that the height allows the guest to easily reach the table, and the depth allows them to lean back. In the hall you can place a low soft sofa with great depth.

When choosing, focus on practical upholstery, so that if the furniture becomes dirty, it can be easily cleaned on site, rather than having to be taken to the dry cleaner. Leather goods, tapestry, flock are perfect here.

Manufacturing materials

Most often, furniture for public catering establishments is made of wood and metal. Plastic, glass, rattan, stone, textiles and leather are also used. It is important that the material is durable and of high quality: after all, the more expensive the interior, the more solid the establishment looks and, accordingly, attracts more visitors. Natural materials are especially popular: wood, stone, textiles. Restaurateurs combine them with live plants when they prefer family formats.

Bar counters are made of wood and plastic, but the most durable is considered to be artificial stone, which looks very presentable.

Following fashion, do not forget about the concept of the establishment:

1. Plastic and wooden chairs without armrests are appropriate in a bistro. Mobility is important to them.
2. The optimal furniture for a sushi bar will be countertops of geometrically correct shape, ordinary wooden chairs, sofas and armchairs upholstered in wear-resistant material.
3. In coffee shops they prefer to use chairs and armchairs with upholstery.
4. The restaurant interior includes massive tables upholstered in leather, tapestry or jacquard.
5. On the summer terrace it is recommended to use furniture that is resistant to weather changes; rattan and plastic are popular.

In premium-class establishments, preference is given to natural materials - wood, leather, artificial stone. In catering premises of the middle segment there is a lot of furniture made of MDF and chipboard. Economy class cafes use mostly plastic products.

Options for arranging furniture in the office for employees and managers

Cushioned furniture

Tree

Plastic

Metal

Rattan

Convenient and safe placement of equipment ↑

We talked about the arrangement of the main elements of equipment on the floor plan. Some tips for choosing and placing kitchen appliances:

• If the kitchen front has an L-shaped configuration, it is more rational to place household appliances located on the countertop (microwave, electric kettle, coffee maker) in the inner corner, which is problematic to use for cooking.
• A very convenient solution is to place the oven in a high column cabinet at a height of 65-80 cm from the floor. It is much more convenient to observe the cooking process, load and unload baking sheets without bending. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find a place for a “column” in a small room.

Using an oven installed in a high cabinet at a height of 65-80 cm is much more convenient than under the countertop in the standard version

• A traditional fireplace hood does a good job of removing kitchen fumes, but it protrudes dangerously forward. You can get a bump trying to look into the pan. Exhaust devices built into furniture also suffer from the same drawback. But the inclined hood is absolutely safe; it does not stick out above the stove at head level. By the way, the minimum height for hanging a hood above an electric stove is 65 cm, above a gas stove - 75 cm.

An ergonomic inclined hood removes kitchen fumes no worse than traditional hoods, but hardly protrudes above the stove

• It is easier to control the process of cooking or heating food in a microwave oven when its transparent door is installed slightly (about 20 cm) below eye level. The optimal places for a microwave are in the “column” above the oven or on the bottom shelf of the upper cabinet. And owners of cramped Khrushchev apartments can find a place for a stove on the windowsill.

It is advisable to place the microwave so that, while standing, you can see the cooking process through the glass window.

Design and style

The design of the establishment must be consistent in style and concept. When choosing furniture for a sports bar, you should be guided by its convenience and functionality. You can install vandal-proof tables and chairs designed for strong men. Thematic design is welcome: posters with famous football players, club scarves, images of balls. The main thing in the design of a sushi bar is simple and strict lines, laconic furniture, a large number of natural materials, and a minimalist interior. There is Japanese calligraphy and painting on the walls.

The interior of a coffee shop should be memorable. Small tables and unusual installations look good. The main thing for an ethno-restaurant is to correspond to the chosen theme; this can be achieved through the use of authentic furniture and interior details.

The design of a classic style restaurant should include:

• discreet wall shades;
• soft tones;
• stairs and floors made of wood and marble;
• crystal chandeliers;
• paintings;
• large windows and mirrors;
• flowers in huge flowerpots;
• massive candlesticks.

A win-win solution is to opt for Italian leather furniture for restaurants.

In glamor-style establishments, the furniture can be plain. But then it needs to be diversified with unobtrusive images of colors and patterns of the most varied shapes. The Art Nouveau style in catering premises is considered universal. There should be a lot of free space, smooth lines and soft curves replace right angles, a natural color scheme close to nature is used. Materials: stone, wood, ceramics, gypsum. Anti-cafes are often equipped in this style. In this case, you can get by with a minimum of furniture, placing clients on large sofas and bean bags. Loft-style bars are characterized by an open plan, a combination of trendy elements with archaic, ultra-modern and vintage decor and furniture items.

When creating an interior, you should adhere to the fundamental rules. You need to start from the kitchen first, and arrange the furniture so that the client is comfortable. Also, do not forget that with the help of lighting you can create separate zones, atmosphere and mood.

Sports bar

Sushi bar

coffee house

Classic

Modern

Glamor

Anticafe

What can't designers be trusted with?

If you completely trust the designers to develop the design of your cafe, then with a high probability you will get one of the following:

1. Design based on the availability of materials. In a private conversation, one designer told us that in his agency, management ordered designers to use as much natural wood as possible in their design. This is presented to customers as a natural and living material. But in reality, the manager has his own woodworking shop, which fulfills orders according to the developed design. Like this!
2. A design you'll love. The designer will strive to please your taste, while it is necessary to please the future visitors of the cafe. A qualified designer understands this and can easily solve such a problem. However, experience tells him that you may not like it (taste is a very common phenomenon in design) and he will be left without a fee. It's easier for him to please you than to explain the basics of marketing to you.
3. The design that a designer needs for his creative implementation. This will be a very high-quality work in terms of aesthetics and harmony. But it will solve the problems of the designer, not your business. Often in this situation you will end up with a design that scares people with its perfection. They will be afraid to go inside, thinking that they cannot afford such luxury.

You will be surprised, but 80% of all design orders are carried out according to these scenarios. And in all of the above cases, you will not get what you need. The only “cure” for these ailments is a clear technical specification for the development of a design project.

What is a home bar?

You can create a cozy minibar at home. This is an excellent opportunity to keep alcoholic drinks in order, developing a culture of their consumption, which is especially important if guests often come. When it comes to home bar furniture, it can be completely different from a traditional bar counter.

There are many options for classic designs:

1. Open - everything that is on the shelves and racks is clearly visible.
2. Closed - bottles and glasses are covered with doors or a screen (a must if there are children at home).
3. Portable - equipped with wheels, thanks to which they can be moved to another room.

The most popular materials for making a home bar are chipboard and natural wood. Dimensions depend on personal taste and the size of the room.

Bar furniture for home comes in a variety of options: bar counter, cabinet bar or ordinary compartments in the closet. There are also such unusual solutions as a barrel, a cabinet and even a globe. This home bar for drinks is inexpensive, compact and original. Its height is no more than 0.5 m, inside there is space with niches and shelves for bottles and glasses. You can make such a design yourself

Open

Closed

Portable

Closet

Bar counter

Bottle storage compartments

Furniture selection, storage organization

9) Having selected practical and spacious storage systems , it is quite possible to reduce the top row of sets and fill the kitchen with light and air as much as possible. The following options will help:

• drawers with push up opening system, deep and spacious, with several compartments

• organizers for cutlery and household items

• furniture modules with open shelves adapted for baskets and containers.

9) If you use upper modules , let them be compact, with folding or beautifully glazed facades.

10) In addition, for cramped kitchens . For example, these:

• work module with a folding tabletop (as an alternative to a stationary table)

• soft corner with storage space

• stand-rack (aka table, wine stand, storage shelf and strip that separates the dining room and kitchen areas).

11) And one more life hack : let each item be constantly stored where it is used.

• Cutting board, work bowls, colander - above the countertop near the sink or above the sink.

• It is also better to place cereals and spices above the countertop, closer to the stove, in the upper modules or on special hanging stands. By the way, special magnetic jars have been developed for spices that can be attached to the wall.

• Blender, meat grinder, coffee maker - stationary on the countertop or under it.

• Sponges, towels, detergents and also vegetables that are not stored in the refrigerator - in special compartments under the sink.

• Kitchen utensils are on rails above the countertop, at arm's length from the stove.

• A napkin holder, fruit bowl, aperitif drinks and glasses are in the bar counter.

And finally, here are some of the most unexpected examples of kitchen furnishings: those options when the “working triangle” and dining area take on a very cozy look, and routine work becomes enjoyable.