[Dansker]

I'm tall (5'11") and in reading around on kitchen planning sites, I see that more and more, kitchens are being designed with countertops higher than the standard 36". There are also mentions of multiple heights in the same kitchen based on task areas.

Has anyone tried this?

I have a galley kitchen that would lend itself to this really well. The cooking wall would be a standard height, based on advice that you need to look down into the pots (makes sense).

The sink wall has the largest expanse of countertop, and is where I do my baking, food prep, etc. This would be raised by 3-4" based on my height.

I have seen multiple countertop heights in a one wall run, and it looks fine when planned correctly. I'm just wondering if it will seem weird to have parallel cabinet walls where one side is taller than the other.

I used to be a computer ergonomics consultant, so I know that it makes total ergonomic sense, and that ergonomics is becoming more and more of a factor in kitchen and bathroom planning. Luxury homes in the San Francisco Bay Area often feature 42" high bathroom countertops as a high end option.

I should state that I am in my late 50's, and this is the house I'm going to leave feet first!! LOL This kitchen is being built for my comfort and to my taste, not for resale.

Any opinions? I am attaching my kitchen plans for your review. (The dishwasher is portrayed as an 18" cabinet to the right of the sink to help me visualize the matching panel look.) All help and critique is welcome.

	LOL definition LOL means Laugh(ing) Out Loud

[Zenoforum]

I can't answer your questions, but found this at Nolte:

Nolte Küchen: Ergonomics

[Dansker]

Based on that site's calculations, at 180cm (5'11") my ideal counter heights are:

cooking side - 91cm or 36"

wash and work table side - 97cm or 38"

This is exactly what I had in mind. Thank you! Now, to ensure that it doesn't look weird...

[GardenOfDarwin]

Hi! Though I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum (I'm only 4'11"), I do have different counter elevations. I don't think it looks weird, but then I'm used to it.

We turned our breakfast room into an addendum to the main kitchen, adding a dishwasher, second sink, baking island and cabinets in the process. Because of a pre-existing step down into the breakfast room, there's a section of countertop that's only 32". Perfect!

We have 2 kids, 6 and 7 years old, and they use the space for helping with dinner, making sandwiches, artwork, etc. I sometimes use it for my laptop - pull up the stool and it's the perfect spot for one.

Re: Has anyone done multiple countertop heights in their kitchen? Check my plans, please. 

Above you can see the section of counter that is lower - just to the left of that Perfekt cabinet with 2 drawers is the step down - that's where the distance from the floor increases back to the typical 36".

Re: Has anyone done multiple countertop heights in their kitchen? Check my plans, please. 

If you look closely above, you can sort of see where the soapstone counter abuts the existing ugly countertop in the main kitchen (not yet redone).

Don't know if that will help at all since your configuration is different, but I thought I'd put it out there for anyone else who may be looking for info on varying counter heights.

Susan

[Dyan]

I did one counter top 4" lower than the rest for chopping near the stove. I have been happy with it - I switch back and forth chopping different things for the same meal and feel like it helps my back to change it up. It doesn't look weird, it looks functional!

[Dansker]

Thank you everyone, I am feeling very positive about this now. The higher side will also allow me to put in some very useful toekick drawers that will be pretty deep.