WWA Info Exchange

Hi All,

Building a kitchen island for a client, got the first section completed which is essentially just base cabinets. Now for second part of the island they want it raised and butting up to the back of the base cabinets. They asked that I build it 48 inches in height so with bar top it would be 49 1/2 inches. That seems too high to me as I am beginning the build on it today. What is normal counter height for seating? I think 44 inches would be more desirable and pretty much have an open slate. What do you all think?

Thank you,

Jay

I'd explain the added height of the top to them and see if that's what they want. Kinda depends on how tall their stools are and will the underside of the top be tall enough to accomodate their legs comfortably. Keep in mind that some folks will cross their legs while seated.

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I bring to life, I bring to death:
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That does make sense Gene and I am willing to make whatever they desire, it just seems on the high side to me. They do not have stools yet.

Jay

Maybe this will help: http://www.barstools.com/ . You might want to suggest they go shopping for stools before you start, given the range of height of them. Some are adjustable, some not.

_________________
I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

I'd tell them to go and buy the stools first, then do a mock up and see what feels right to them.

They might end up with shorter stools.

_________________
Jeff

If man made it, I can fix it.
If God made it we can pray for it.

Lessons I have learned:
NEVER MAKE ANYTHING OUT OF TEAK
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My old workbenches were at 43" because I'm 6'3" tall and hate to bend way over to work on a piece. Slightly different focus there of course, but 4' tall seems really high to me as well. Mock up something out of MDF or pywood and see if that's really how tall they want them.

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Ned

Madison Woodsmith.
WWACNYAUX #1
2B1ASK1

40-42" is the standard.

Go to a home furnishing store and look at the tables which require those really tall chairs. Take your tape measure and verify how tall the tables are. That's your height.

I'd side with Jeff on this one. Get the stools, and make a mock up from cardboard.

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Frank
WWACOAUX#1
"I love the smell of Sawdust in the morning, it smells like, victory."
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I would definately go with a mock up first. If they still insist on the height get it in writting!. I have had clients request odd pieces and then complain that the heights were wrong.

Thank you all for your replies. Mostly I wanted to know standard height realizing that personal preference can always play a role. I told them that it would be a good idea to get their bar stools prior to my continuation to make certain that everything would be aesthetically pleasing to all.

Jay

The island in my kitchen is 341/2" with a 2" top, =ing 36 1/2" and stools under one side for people to sit. The stools are 28 1/2" tall. They may want taller stools, so you may need to talk with them about the height of the stools first to determine the height of the island.

Wayne

Hope this helps.

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Wow ... I just happened to have my tape lying beside me so I stretched out 49" then bent the tape over to represent the counter top. OK, given I'm not overly endowed in the height department, this seems awkwardly tall even for me. Bar stools are, to me, a response for a seating option at a serving height that is comfortable while standing. I'd really be curious as to why your clients request such a height.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

If a client ask me to build something 48" high, I build it 48" high. My thinking is that the client knows more of what they want than I do. If they like it. I just love it.

Have a great day.

I'm 6' 2" and my wife is 5' 9". When we redid our kitchen we set the island counter at 43" and are very happy with it. The seats for our stools are at about 31". Our "vertically challenged" 90-year old friend finds it hard to get into a stool that high.

You want 10 to 12 inches between the top of the bar stool to the bottom of the bar top.

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Alaskans for Global Warming

42" is industry standard to the top of the counter.

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Gail
www.whitewoodkitchen.com

One thing I like about standards: there are so many of them!

Just kidding, Gail.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

Your client's name isn't Shaquile by any chance is it? If not, 42 to 44 is perfect. As tall people, my wife and I like to add two inches to "standard" height counters to accomodate ourselves and our loved ones.

To put it in perspective for them, 48" is 6" below the bottom of standard upper cabinet height (54" from the floor). Put a ruler on the wall to show them. That's what I do when my wife gets glassy eyed when I start talking spatial dimensions.

"42" is the standard answer to everything around here.

Rog

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Thank you all!