Design Kitchen Islands With Seating in 4 Easy Steps 

 Kitchen islands with seating have become a common element in home décor due to their versatility and functionality.  In fact, they are becoming one of the most popular features added to home renovation projects. 

After all, while the additional countertop is a phenomenal use of the space in the room, by including chairs or stools, this installation becomes a multi-functional asset, as well. 

It can work as a bar while you’re entertaining, a desk on which to do homework, a place to rest a laptop for videos, recipes, or communication while preparing a meal, or it can even serve as a breakfast or dinner table. 

However, to get the most out of kitchen islands with seating, you need to know how to properly design them and work them within the room.  Use the following simple steps to create the  perfect piece.

Step 1:  Choose the right height

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that kitchen island designs with seating need to have a height feature that is not necessary for islands without seating.  To use chairs of a standard height, you will want to make sure that you are working with a counter height of between 28 and 30 inches from the floor.  If you’d prefer to use counter stools, also known as low stools, then the height of your countertop will need to be about 36 inches. 

If your preference is for real bar stools, then you will need kitchen islands with seating under a counter height of 42 to 48 inches.  As this will likely be too high as a countertop for cooking, you may find that a multi-level surface will let you benefit from both features while adding dimension to your décor.  The higher bar level can also provide a great way to tuck a stove or sink on the island away from sight.

Step 2: Find out how much seating room you’ll need for the length and width of kitchen islands with seating

When designing kitchen islands with seating, you must always remember to consider the number of people who will be able to sit there.  Every person will need about 24 inches of space, so the size of your room and the number of seats will decide the length of your island.  That said, you will also need an overhang of about 18 inches to provide enough knee and leg room for comfort.  This will help to dictate the width of your surface.

Step 3: Kitchen island designs with seating to fit the room

There should be a minimum of 42 inches of open space between the counter of kitchen islands with seating and any other countertop, wall, or fixed object, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association. That said, the recommended measurement should be considered only a starting point.  For optimal flow, you will likely want a few more inches than that.  Make sure that the size of the piece does not lead to frustration and traffic jams in your room or it will only do more harm than good.

Step 4: Have a look at the view

When you’re planning kitchen islands with seating, place yourself where you believe the chairs will be, and imagine your view.  Are you going to be staring at a sink full of dirty dishes or will you be able to watch as pancakes are flipped and bacon is crisped in the morning?  Is there a window in your sightline, or a blank wall?  Though this step may seem frivolous, it actually plays an important role in a person’s subconscious comfort and willingness to use kitchen islands with seating.

By creating the right design, kitchen islands with seating can add beauty, versatility, and functionality to your kitchen.  By paying attention to those critical four steps, you’ll make sure that the piece performs with practicality and that your family and guests will be happy to use it.

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