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Level Up Your Kitchen Island

white kitchen with islandItโ€™s no secret that kitchen islands are a must-have, but that doesnโ€™t mean you canโ€™t explore a variety of options that are outside your run-of-the-mill shapes and sizes. Take this case for example, a two-seated elevated breakfast bar paired with a lowered prep station (sink included). Pretty dashing right?

Creating a two-tiered kitchen island welcomes an array of benefits, and for this on-the-tall-side family, height and comfort were the two main components. โ€œEach family member was over six feet tall, which meant the taller the countertop height, the better,โ€ says Normandy Designer Laura Barber.โ€œSince the home already featured a dining area, we thought weโ€™d include a more casual eating spot for breakfast or late-night meals where any member could comfortably pop into a seat and enjoy a snack or two.โ€

When creating a mixed height kitchen island station, there are a few variables to consider. โ€œThe elevated walnut countertop is bar height, which is 42 inches and is paired with bar height swivel chairs,” Laura notes. “Iโ€™ve been in scenarios where homeowners have opted for higher than the standard 42 inch countertop height ย but when paired with a standard height bar stool, it’s a mismatch. If you opt for a specialty height, youโ€™ll need to either invest in an adjustable option or consider some custom seating to make things feel a bit more comfortable.โ€

Kitchen with light and dark stained cabinets and adjoining painted cabinets

Countertop depth is another variable to be aware of, especially in an elevated section designed for seating. โ€œWeโ€™d recommend staying at a minimum of 18 inches deep because if the countertop space is too shallow, you ย may unwittingly knock off your plate or glass,โ€ Laura adds.

Now that weโ€™ve got the height situation sorted, letโ€™s move onto elbow room. โ€œThe standard is to allow 24โ€ of width for each person,โ€ Laura states. โ€œThis is so that people can come and go freely, without disrupting the people on the other side of their chair. If things are a bit tight, opt for a bar stool that has a slim width so that the chair itself doesnโ€™t contribute to tighter clearances.โ€

 

If youโ€™ve got some questions when it comes to your kitchenโ€™s remodel and need some expert assistance, set up a time with Laura to discuss your homeโ€™s possibilities.ย For design inspiration and other tips and tricks, you can also follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook and Instagram.

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