Every time you decide to make even a small change to your kitchen, you come up against one of the most important aspects of the design: space. Quite often, you have to make use of every last millimetre to ensure everything fits together neatly. What you might not realise is that, when it comes to appliances, design is actually on your side, and you’ll find a much wider range of oven sizes than you may have expected. For now, we’ll focus on oven dimensions available on the market, and fair warning, there are quite a few. Bear in mind that oven size is no longer so much about functionality as it is about your own needs.
Oven dimensions: width and height
Width
Width is perhaps the least variable measurement, although it can still make a difference. Most ovens on the market measure between 60 and 70 cm wide. It is a fairly standard size, with slight variations depending on the manufacturer. In most cases, the spaces in worktops and kitchen units are already designed with this standard in mind.
Another option is that you may need a wider oven, either because of your available space or because you require greater capacity. There are 90 cm wide models with a lower height, which can be rather handy in certain situations, for instance, when installing the oven in a column unit.
If space is still an issue, you could opt for a countertop oven. These tend to be between 52 and 59 cm wide. Their features are somewhat more limited compared to larger ovens, but they are intuitive, easy to use, and can be placed almost anywhere. The installation couldn’t be simpler, really. It’s worth considering this option if your kitchen is particularly small, as many current models offer a surprisingly wide range of functions, including self-cleaning.
You might also consider a microwave-oven combination, a compact two-in-one appliance that lets you enjoy many traditional oven functions alongside the speed and convenience of a microwave. It’s a practical way to save space by combining two appliances into one.
Height
This is where you’ll find the most variety. Height, along with depth, is one of the key dimensions to consider if you want to save space when planning your kitchen. Countertop ovens are usually the smallest in this regard, with a height of around 33 cm. They can be a good choice, especially when they manage to include most of the features of a conventional oven. However, over time, they may prove a bit limited and not fully meet the needs of an average household.
The most common oven height is around 60 cm. This size offers great versatility and allows you to cook all sorts of dishes—meat, fish, cakes, pies—and typically includes advanced functions, from steam cooking to AirFry. In other words, a proper multifunction oven. You can also make better use of different rack levels and cook several dishes at once, which is rather convenient. There’s also the option of saving a bit of space with a 45 cm oven. These compact appliances are a solid solution for smaller kitchens and still perform very well as multifunction ovens.
Other oven dimensions to consider
Depth
The average oven depth usually ranges between 50 and 60 cm, depending on the brand and model. As with other measurements, it’s important to distinguish between external and internal dimensions. Compact oven sizes are, naturally, a bit smaller. The smallest models start at around 44 cm in depth and go up to roughly 47 cm. Beyond that, they would no longer be considered compact.
Capacity
Closely linked to oven sizes is capacity, which is typically measured in litres and depends mainly on variations in height and depth. An oven with around 50 litres of capacity is more than sufficient for everyday meals and works well for households of five or six people. However, for those occasions that call for something a bit more ambitious, you might want to consider a larger oven, over 70 litres, something on the XXL side. In that case, do keep in mind that the overall dimensions will be larger, so you’ll need a bit of extra space in your kitchen.
Designing a kitchen to your taste is a balancing act between functionality and aesthetics. Don’t neglect either. Your kitchen should be a pleasant, visually appealing space, but it should also make everyday cooking straightforward and enjoyable.