I do not have an extended countertop on my kitchen island. Can I still use stools at the island comfortably?

Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 9:14 pm

I am thinking of getting 2 stools to sit at my kitchen island countertop. Only question i have is that since my countertop is not extended can we comfortably use small stools?

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3 Comments

bbr_lucky4 says:

July 31, 2009 at 9:14 pm

i think its all a matter of personal comfort

i wouldnt be comfortable, i like having that extension to make sure that my knees wont be hitting the sides of it.
jg_kitchens says:

July 31, 2009 at 9:14 pm

You and your guests will be banging your knees without an overhang. If your island is standard kitchen height, an overhang should be 15 inches deep, according to NKBA guidelines.

You might consider replacing your island countertop with one that has such an overhang. (Plan the overhang and counter stools for a location that doesn’t interfere with your work triangle.)

An island top doesn’t need to be the same color or material as the surrounding tops. It just needs to coordinate with them — and with your cabinets and flooring.

In most cases, an overhang this deep needs to be supported. There are a number of ways to do that. Discuss this need with the firm that’s going to install your new top, if you go that route.

BTW, quartz is one of my favorite countertop materials. If you type "quartz" into the search box on my blog, Gold Notes, at http://jgkitchens.blogspot.com, you’ll find several entries on the topic.
love2DIY says:

July 31, 2009 at 9:14 pm

I wouldn’t be comfortable either, but it depends on if you really need seating in there. if you always have someone looking for a seat, then maybe use the stools on the short ends of the island – they can sit sideways.

so, it’s really up to you. it’s do-able, but not the best of comfort.

A Word About Choosing Bar Stools

Finding and choosing the right kind of Bar Stools or counter stools for your bar, home or your kitchen is an important part choice, as many different sizes, materials, finishes and colors.
First of all, decide if you are choosing Counter Stools or Bar Stools, as they are somewhat different. Bar stools are usually a little taller, by around 4 inches. A good measurement to consider is to make sure that the stool's cushion or seat is about 10 to 12 inches from the underside of the bar or counter. That way, you know that you and your guests will be seated comfortably and have suitable leg room while seated.
Sometimes you may want to go with backless stools, if you don't have a lot of space or room. They have no backs or arms and so they are easier to move around.
Another important consideration is choosing the right height of the foot rests of your bar stools. If you don't get the right foot rest heights ahead of time, you may not be getting the right stools and people will not be very comfortable or have proper leg room while sitting at your home bar.
Of course, seating comfortably will be different for everyone, but if you sit and see the foot rest height is good for you, it will probably do for most. Unless you are getting custom bar stools made for you, you have to get them with the foot rests as they are.
Take your measurements with you when you go shopping and know the heights of the counter or bar surface and underside and ask for help from the salesperson if you are not sure of what sizes to get.
If you purchase adjustable barstools, where you can raise or lower the height of the stool itself, then it's easier to allow the user to adjust to find the right height for the most comfort while sitting. This is ideal if you want to use the stools for different places in your home, from the kitchen counter to the home bar or a kitchen island, for example. Most brands and makers of kitchen and bar stools that are adjustable allow about 10 to 15 inches, which can accommodate almost anyone.

Old World Bar Stools

I do not have an extended countertop on my kitchen island. Can I still use stools at the island comfortably?

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