Hey CA friends ?—ever stood at your kitchen counter, elbows dangling while chopping veggies till your arms ached? Or hunched over kneading dough until your back felt like jelly? ? We all say “countertop height matters,” but what’s actually the right height? Stop guessing—this golden formula, tested by CA moms, calculates your perfect counter height in 3 steps: Formula: (Your Height ÷ 2) + 5cm (Example: A 165cm-tall gal? Countertop height = 82.5 + 5 = 87.5cm) Why add 5cm? ’Cause we’re always reaching up for spices or bending down to stir pots—this number balances “standing straight” and “natural bending” comfort zones. CA kitchens love open-concept + islands. Use this formula, and you’ll chop without shrugging, knead without hunching—even check oven temps mid-cake-bake more smoothly. After all, cooking in CA sunshine? Comfort is queen.

Inspiration for a timeless powder room remodel in Dallas

Large Lagoon pool with fire pit in the middle.
Example of an island style custom-shaped pool design in Los Angeles

photography by Joe Dodd
Mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver patio photo in San Francisco with a fire pit

Roger Wade Studio
Mountain style u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops and gray backsplash

Inspiration for a scandinavian home design remodel in Orange County

Example of a small classic wine cellar design in Charlotte with storage racks

Master Bed/Bath Remodel
Example of a small trendy master ceramic tile and blue tile terrazzo floor and white floor freestanding bathtub design in Austin with a hinged shower door, beige walls and a niche

Jim Fuhrmann, Beinfield Architecture PC
Mid-sized farmhouse light wood floor bedroom photo in New York with white walls

Michael Hunter Photography
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Dallas

Stacy Zurin Goldberg
Small eclectic porcelain tile and black and white tile mosaic tile floor claw-foot bathtub photo in DC Metro with a wall-mount sink and gray walls

Charles Davis Smith, AIA
Trendy balcony photo in Dallas

Roger Wade Studio
Example of a mountain style wine cellar design with beige walls and storage racks

Tricia Shay Photography
Example of a beach style carpeted bedroom design in Milwaukee with white walls

Inspiration for a transitional white tile medium tone wood floor and brown floor alcove shower remodel in Charleston with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Michael Hunter Photography
Large arts and crafts master brown tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile double shower photo in Dallas

Photo: Carolyn Reyes © 2015 Houzz Writer’s Room, main house Design team: Robert Frank Design
Mid-sized elegant home office photo in Los Angeles

Marion Brenner
Trendy concrete patio photo in San Francisco with a gazebo

Our clients wanted to update the bathroom on the main floor to reflect the style of the rest of their home. The clean white lines, gold fixtures and floating vanity give this space a very elegant and modern look.