There are NKBA guidelines for this, which folks have liberally adapted where necessary. The critical dimension is not the 8ft length, but the height of the counter surface -- at a regular table, 30" high, the recommended kneespace is 18", I think. For a counter height overhang of 36" high, the recommendation is 15". And for a bar height (42", i think) the overhang is less, 12".

I have a counter height overhang of 15" and it's fine, but neither of us are giants.

Since it's entirely up to your preferences and space limitations, you can try mocking up your proposed setup on one of your existing cabinets, if you have a seat of the right height (24" high for a counter height stool, 30" high for a bar-height stool). That way you can see if it's sufficient. HTH.

I am kind of bummed, our KD said that 10" was sufficient for a counterheight overhang. That was before we found this site and it didn't occur to me to question her. Now we are pretty well locked into this since our cabinets are ordered and there is no room to increase. Hopefully this will be enough space. We did a mockup as well and are hoping it will be ok.

It seems like 15" would certainly be ok.

EvilBunnie is correct, the NKBA Guidelines recommend the following:

• Table-height (30" high): 18" overhang (knee/leg room)

• Counter-height (36" high): 15" overhang

• Bar-height (42" high): 12" overhang

  My recommendation: If bi-level, consider increasing the overhang to 15" so the 15" + 3" or so that extends over the lower level = 18" to be sure you have enough usable counterspace...12" is pretty tight if you plan to use it for anything other than setting a drink down

• If you have a main/cleanup sink or range/cooktop/rangetop in the island or peninsula, consider increasing the overhang to protect bystanders (or sitters!). Again, these are my recommendations, but I think you should have:

  • At least 18" distance b/w the faucet & overhang edge if there's a main/cleanup sink

  • For a Prep Sink, I think 15" is fine.

  • At least 24" from the back of the cooking surface to the edge of the overhang if there's a range/cooktop/rangetop

No, I'm not a professional KD, but since I started my remodel journey in early-2007, I've not only researched online, but I've also checked out every house I've been in for the various configurations to see what works/doesn't work and my above recommendations come from the results of those observations!

Haileysuper, your KD ought to be ashamed of herself! Is she NKBA certified? If so, she should have known better! I suspect she isn't certified and doesn't really know any better OR she just wanted to sell more cabinets OR she was convinced you wanted an island w/seating no matter what.

If the last case, she should have at least checked with you!

Do you have anything behind the seats besides a wall? If it's a walkway only (i.e., no cabinets or appliances), maybe you could squeeze a 2 or 3 inches out of the aisle...

We have 36" high counter with 13" "knee room" but b/c it's over a half wall and overhanging lower level on other side we have 18.5" of counter space for the middle 2 seats. Plenty for a place setting. We have more (42" at widest) at the end 2 seat b/c we have end cabinets facing the other way and countertop is sort of "U" shaped. Walkway on seating side is 54" and we have plenty of room except when adults are sitting at the bar with huge Windsor barstools pushed back and a very large adult tries to walk by. Can also get a little tight trying to stand there and open 32" pantry door or 36" basement door) if barstools are pulled out with front legs (backs slant backwards even more) pulled out more than the 13" overhang. But these are really huge chairs. HTH

Buehl- we did want seating- in fact we went from an island to a peninsula to make the seating happen. There is a walkway behind the seating area to our deck and beyond that is our kitchen table. The walkway between is just sufficient at 10" when you figure in someone seated in all chairs. Before the cabinets were ordered we could have shrunk things down a bit, but now it's too late. We can maybe add an inch. I am glad I found this website when I did. It has saved me from further mistakes and helped me to add features I never would have thought of.

As far as that KD goes, we are no longer taking her advice and have been doing our own thing for all our other selections.

Thanks everyone!!! Great information..... as usual on here : )