Investor · Cranford, NEW JERSEY (NJ) · Member since 2017 · 76 posts · 11 votes
Hi everyone. I'm putting a long bar in one of my flips. The bar will separate a living area from the kitchen and will be about 10 feet long.
If the bar is made to 36 inches tall, how deep should the bar top be so that it can facilitate seating in the kitchen?
I believe 36 inch tall is normal. Please let me know if I'm wrong.
Rental Property Investor · Hamel, MN · Member since 2015 · 54 posts · 48 votes
7y
That's about right. As a personal aside, i installed a 5-foot by 9-foot quartz countertop in my own personal dwelling to facilitate lunches with my wife and 4 kids, and it's too big. We call it the ping-pong table, as that's about the size. 5-feet is too far to reach when passing out food to those on the other side. It has cabinet space on both sides, which is nice, but unnecessary. We're on record for the largest single piece through our local home depot... they still refer to it as "the continent".
36 is nice with standard 24-inch depth single row of cabinets.
Architect · St. Charles, IL · Member since 2018 · 95 posts · 70 votes
7y
I'm assuming this is a counter that has bar seating on one side and cabinets on the other? If so, 36" will work fine and is probably the minimum depth. This gives you about 11-12" of knee space . 42" is more generous and comfortable if it's a bar intended for eating. Alternatively, in tight spaces. I've seen overhangs as short as 8" and it still functions. This would be more for a city condo where people are use to tighter spaces. A larger suburban home will want the 36"-42" depth.
If my assumption is wrong and this is just a simple bar top, then 12-18" is all you need to set a drink on.
Architect · St. Charles, IL · Member since 2018 · 95 posts · 70 votes
7y
Here is the old school graphics standards. They like the stand up bar depth at 18"-24". Framing is up to you and how you want it supported. Sorry to be vague with that.