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Countertops 1-2 inch lower than range?

13 years ago

We are considering a L-shaped island with range (about 8' on range side of L, and 6' on other) but would like to make the countertop only 34 or 35" high. Thus the range would stick up more than normal.

We want to have communal seating around the island and one of the household members is elderly and uses a walker and could not get easily onto a 24-26" chair. 22-23" would be better. (we currently eat on 18" chairs at a 30" table, a little low, but we've done this for years, so a 12" difference is a known usable difference for us: 22" chairs at a 34" eating surface). We don't really want to put her at a different table height than everyone else and don't have room for a separate table with seating for everyone.

Is this do-able? Would it be best to have a small 2-3" sloped connector in countertop material or trim to bring it up to 36"? Countertop material choice is open at this point.

Unless someone knows of an electric height adjustable chair that can be controlled by the chair user (barber type chairs wouldn't work, since they use foot controls) -- that would also solve our problem.

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Comments (4)

Fori
13 years ago
I don't think a range sticking up an extra inch or two would look bad at all. (They do adjust in height somewhat and you might be able to get it pretty close.)

Have you considered a dual height island, with the seating part of the L lower at normal table height? It would also be a good place for kids to work as well as sit. I know I prefer to keep my feet on the ground when I sit!
zartemis
Original Author
13 years ago
I'll post my layout ideas soon -- it's a hard space with complex requirements, but I've tried both dual and triple height island ideas. No kids in this case, 3 people for most meals but several times a week there are one to two friends over and once a month 5-10 for group cooking.

We're looking at some chair options (like the 'hip high recovery chairs') that would give the older person a solid foot rest while in the chair. You're absolutely right about it being much more comfortable to have feet on the ground.
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earthpal
13 years ago
Zartemis,

saw your other posting and oh my you do have a challenge ahead of you with your layout!

I respectfully disagree with fori regarding the height difference between countertop and range. We had that setup in our old kitchen. Our range was the type that had a trim plate on both sides that was an 1" higher than the countertops. The gap between the cabinet and range seemed to be a magnet for gunk. Several of my friends told me it made them wonder why they did it that way...

Is it possible for you to create your own range by installing a rangetop and an oven underneath it instead??

Good Luck!!
davidro1
13 years ago
It seems you are keeping a range you have.
"...Thus the range would stick up more than normal. ..."
Look at whether or not you can unscrew the feet under it, and remove them completely.

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