Need help with too-tall kitchen countertops = 48"

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

Just moved to new home that has step down into tv/entertainment room. Room is about 17' x 15'. Kitchen counter is 48" high due to drop down. At this height, barstools would be too high to be functional. Thought about building platform/base to connect steps on each side and bolting down correct-sized stools/chairs. Not keen about this as children and adults would require different distances from counter and this seems too permanent. Also thought of building up floor 6" to make the entire floor of the room even with the step to make the counter a more sensible 42" high. Could put buffet/storage under lip of counter but don't want to lose the counter entertainment space. Couch is temporary until we solve this dilemma. Please help!!!

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PRO

User

12 years ago

i would put in the lower eating bar as suggested, however you may want to loose the carpet in that room if people will be trying to pull out bar stools over carpet, and also any thing that spills onto the floor...beige carpet nightmare lol.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
12 years ago
Right now the way the furniture is arranged you could not put stools here, but I would be inclined to go with the idea of raising the floor there and attaching stools to floor these stools work for all people just think 50's diner .If you just want to raise floor with regular stools you would have to build that floor out at least 3-4 ft. to avoid stools falling of the edge. I would make the floor mounted ones like diner stools, no back and swivel to be unobtrusive as possible.
choices thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
mmilos
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Without seeing the rest of your room, I think it would be best to raise the whole floor height of your tv/entertainment room and continue the hardwood flooring from the kitchen...make it one continuous space. That's definitely not a cheap, quick fix though.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
12 years ago
A 6" floor raise will involve many things so I would not do the whole floor.
User
12 years ago
I would investigate the possibility of cutting the countertop at the edge of the counter and placing a lower countertop on the living room side of the counter that was the best height for the current floor level.
erinsean
12 years ago
Either put a lower counter shelf on the dining side of your living area that Collettec mentioned or get custom made stools of the height you need. Stools come in two heights...maybe you could find ones you like and have extenders (by a carpenter or if metal, by a welder) put on the legs. Only as a last resort would I raise the floor.
John and Rebecca Surprenant
12 years ago
They do make stools for 48" counters. They are sometimes called "Spectator" height and are 33"-36".