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how much room should be between an island and the surrounding counters

13 years ago

kitchen counter is u-shaped with 96" between to counters, leaving only 27" on either side of a 30" wide island. is this too little space between the counters and sink? The sink, 48" thermador range and dishwasher are all on the perimeter counter. The island will be just for cutting, etc - no sink or stove.

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Comments (3)

PRO
Ironwood Builders
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Yep! Just copied a post from eagledzigns....from a post just above this one!

eagledzines
National Kitchen and Bath Guidelines say, " Walkways (passages between vertical objects greater than 24" deep in the direction of travel where not more than one is a work counter or appliance) should be at least 36' wide."

Besides being recommended by the NKBA..the IRC, or International Residential Code, adopted in all 50 states in some form or another, says that any passageway must be no narrower than 36" in the direction of travel. Doesn't matter what it is used for...no narrower.
PRO
Ironwood Builders
13 years ago
BTW...we allow 42" at a minimum for the passageways around kitchen islands.
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PRO
Dytecture
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
agreed, 42" would provide optimal distance for circulation.

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