KD...30 years??? And he still hasn't learned? Is he an independent kitchen designer or does he just sell cabinets (and as many as he can)? Is he NKBA certified? [No, NKBA certified is no guarantee of a top designer, but at least they have to have had basic design classes/education.]
I don't mean to cast doubt on his credentials, but when someone starts telling me "...I've been doing this for XX years and I always do it this way..." or "...I've been doing this for XX years and I've never seen/done..." red flags start waving. I ran into this w/my contractor & a little bit w/my KD and every time that statement was made I knew I was in for a struggle. The struggle is usually against one of two things: resistance to new ideas/change or they don't want to do it b/c it's too difficult (even when it's not!)
Seating: Well..........if you have counter-height seating the NKBA guidelines recommend a 15" overhang. That's what we put in and it works for us. (My 6'5" DH wonders if we should have done 18", but we didn't have 3 more inches to spare w/o robbing us of cabinet space!)
The National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends the following:
Kitchen seating areas should incorporate at least the following clearances:
30" high tables/counters: Allow a 24" wide x 18" deep knee space for each seated diner and at least 18" of clear knee space
36" high counters: Allow a 24" wide x 15" deep knee space for each seated diner and at least 15" of clear knee space.
42" high counters: Allow a 24" wide x 12" deep knee space for each seated diner and 12" of clear knee space.
For Universal Access:
Kitchen seating areas should be 28" Â 34" high x 30" Â 36" wide x 19" deep to better accommodate people of various sizes or those using a mobility aid.
Recommended minimum size for a knee space at a table or counter is 36" wide x 27" high x 19" deep.
Now, people will jump in telling you you don't need 15", that 12" is more than fine and that 10" or even as shallow as 9" will still be OK. First, that's not true, not if you want to sit at it comfortably. Second, when queried further, many of these same people admit (1) sit sideways...so now you need more like 40" per person width wise & you're craning your neck to visit, (2) they don't sit for very long, (3) they only use it for parties, or (4) only their small children sit at the counter (but what happens when they grow up?).
If you really cannot do 15", do as much as you can. But, know that you are compromising design function...and no griping later! :-)
Here is a link that might be useful: NKBA: Seating Clearance
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Green glass tile and window treatment.
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