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One level islands--countertop height or bar height

15 years ago

I think my island might be too short--I am only 5'3 and I am thinking it is too short. My last island definitely was taller but I didn't notice it as being taller than my counters. Maybe it's because my granite's not on yet, but it seems short. How tall is your island without the countertop (so I can measure what I have now)???

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Comments (5)

sushipup1
15 years ago
Standard height finished is 36". Bar height is useless for a work surface. Hope this helps.
janeincolorado
15 years ago
What about raising the island about 1-2" so it's a little higher but not bar height. It might help your back not hurt. Jane
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I think it is a great idea. There have been many people with multi level islands. When designing our kitchen, I had saved a bunch of pix after doing a google search, but I recently deleted them when our island was completed. Our island is 2 levels, but it sounds like you want 2 one level runs to connect. It can be done nicely. Just surf until you see something that grabs you.... Many people do 2 levels from counter height to table level. You can do like that with both heights just being higher. You can use those others to see how to transition.
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Thanks for all the great feedback! I hadn't thought about using the island as a serving buffet for parties, but I can see how that would be very useful. Also, the point about the comfort of the counter height stools vs. higher ones. My husband is tall, but I'm 5'5" and our son is only 14 months old. So probably lower seating would be more comfortable for us (and the grandparents). Right now we're not entertaining much, since we are busy chasing after the toddler, but pre-baby we entertained a lot and I'm hoping to again, once he gets a little older. I'm trying to plan for that. And I assume that down the road, he'll be doing homework in the kitchen and having friends over after school, etc. We do have a huge table in the diningroom, but that space doubles as our home office, so it's always covered with clutter (2 laptops, mail, paperwork, printing supplies, etc.). It would be nice to have an open expanse of space in the kitchen for actual kitchen projects, but I guess I'm afraid that we'll just fill that space up with clutter, too. ;) For those with the single-level island, how do you light your workspace? We were thinking of installing task lighting under the overhang from the bar to light the counter. Now we'll have to rely solely on pendant lighting, I guess. Is that sufficient? Also, do you have power outlets on the island? If we don't have a vertical surface behind the counter, it seems to limit us in terms of where we can plug in appliances.
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I have a peninsula and went with a single level flat counter - it's a 90 inch counter run and wanted to be able to have a large surface are for baking, buffets and overall counter space for siting, gathering in the kitchen. I also have three young kids, and felt that the bar height stools would just be too high off the ground for us to sit safely & comfortably. Either way, the angle wasn't going to hide my sink dishes but the new kitchen has motivated me to put dishes right in the dishwasher anyway, so that want really a factor in my decision. Also, I have lo;wer ceiling (New England Cape) and I wanted to maximize sight lines for the feeling of more open space - and the bar height would have broken that up too. Four years later, and no regrets on the counter height.
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rhome410
15 years ago
I'm 5'4" and prefer my work surfaces, especially the island, 2 to 3 inches lower than standard counter ht. Bar height would be impossible. I'm betting it's just giving you a deceptive perception because of the counter not being on yet.
gailrolfe
15 years ago
southern, I am 5'3" too and 36" is definitely the right (actually maximum) height for me to work at...it's actually rather high when I want to roll dough (I put the cutting board on the 30" high table for that). My GC tried to convince me to go higher as he said that as "most people" are taller now they are preferring higher countertops....he did finally concede that 36" is better if you're shorter and that that is a "good minimum"....I think you'll be fine once the countertop is on.
cotehele
15 years ago
Gailrolfe, Unless your contractor is going to become your personal chef, what he wants doesn't matter ;p

I am 5'3'', too. The 32'' island in my plan will definitely be too short for resale, but it fits my needs, so I don't care. However, I am SURE 32'' is the perfect height because I have used a 32'' work surface for many years for all my baking and food prep. You should experiment with the right height for different tasks. The article linked below has a section on the right countertop height that may be of help.

Judy

Here is a link that might be useful: scroll down to The Right Countertop Height

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