In order to determine how many stools will fit at your kitchen island, home experts recommend you allow 28 to 30 inches for each seating space, which means you can divide the length of your island's counter by 30 to to figure out how many stools will comfortably fit.
General barstool spacing recommendations: Small Diameter (8-12 inches): Leave about 12 inches of space between the stools. Medium Diameter (13 – 16 inches): Leave 8-10 inches of space between the stools. Large Diameter (17+ inches): Leave at least 6 inches between the stools.
For a 36 inch counter, a bar stool should have a height of around 24-26 inches.
Start by measuring the width of your counter or breakfast nook and leave roughly 15cm between each stool, or 20 - 25cm if you're going for stools with added arm rests or swivel technique. This will ensure that each person has easy access to and from the stool, as well as enough space to sit comfortably.
Recommended Island Overhang Lengths
For standard barstools with a seat height of 30 inches, a 12 to 15-inch overhang is recommended. For counter-height barstools with a seat height of 24 inches, a 15 to 18-inch overhang is ideal.
Typically, you're going to want to allow 10-12″ from the top of the stool seat to the understide of your countertop. Standard countertop height is 36-39″ high, so you'll want a seat that is 24-26″ from the floor, leaving that room for leg clearance under the countertop.
Bar height stools generally have seat heights that are around 28 inches high (28 to 32 inches as a rule) in order to fit under table tops with a height of 40 to 42 inches. Counter stools have a seat height of 24 to 27 inches high for table surfaces that are 36 inches high.
Kitchen Counter Height Stools
If you are looking for a stool to fit under a standard kitchen counter height, we would advise you to purchase a stool that is between 610-670mm (24 to 26 Inches) high, in order to fit under the 890-910mm (35 to 36 Inches) counter table.
If you have a 10ft counter top you can fit 5 average size bar stool. If you have a 10ft Kitchen island you can fit 10 average sized bar stools.
Space per seat at an island: Ideally, every person should have about 22 to 24 inches of seating space to avoid bumping knees and elbows.
Consider Back and Arm Support: Backrests and armrests improve comfort. Bar stools without a back work well for quick seating but might not be suitable for longer periods. Whereas high or mid-back designs offer more support for dining or relaxing.
A good rule of thumb is to keep a kitchen island no more than 10 percent of your kitchen's total square footage. For example, if your kitchen is 150 square feet, the island should not exceed 15 square feet.
So, what's replacing the kitchen island? One popular trend is the rise of multifunctional dining tables. These tables can serve as both a dining area and additional prep space. Imagine a beautifully crafted table that can accommodate family dinners or function as a workspace for meal prepping.
To calculate how many bar stools you can fit in your space, begin by measuring the length of your bar or counter in inches. Next, divide this figure by the desired spacing. For instance, if you have a 72-inch (or 6-foot) counter and you've opted for a 30-inch spacing, the equation would be 72 ÷ 30 = 2.4.
For a raised bar with stools, the standard overhang is typically 12 inches to accommodate the bar stools, while the raised bar should be between 42 to 48 inches tall. If space is tight and you expect users to be mostly standing at the bar, you could reduce the overhang to eight inches.
In order to determine how many stools will fit at your kitchen island, home experts recommend you allow 28 to 30 inches for each seating space, which means you can divide the length of your island's counter by 30 to to figure out how many stools will comfortably fit.
Tip: allow at least 12”-18” inches of knee space between the stool's edge and the bar or counter. Since most people need at least 2 feet of personal space from other people when eating, 24” inches of space per bar stool should be allocated to ensure a comfortable dining setting.
For a traditional look, choose oak or other wood and stain or seal it to suit your tastes. Sleek lines in painted wood or metal will complement a contemporary kitchen. Or you can create an eclectic look by choosing bar stools in a contrasting style or color to the rest of your kitchen's decor.
For starters, make sure you design your island with enough space underneath the counter for your knees. Generally speaking, a countertop overhang of 12-18” is a good place to start. It's worth noting that 12” likely won't allow your bar stools to tuck in all the way.
As an easy rule of thumb, pick bar stools that are the opposite shades or style of the island but connect with other pieces in the kitchen. In the example above, the metal-and-leather bar stools juxtapose the brightly colored island but match the finish of the pendant lights above.
If space is very limited in your kitchen, an 8-inch overhang might be the best you can do. However, if possible, aim for at least a 10-inch overhang to provide a more comfortable seating area.
Counter height stools are around 24 to 27 inches from the floor to the seat. This height is ideal for kitchen islands or counters that are around 36 inches in height. Counter height stools have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the rise in counter height kitchen islands and the seating they bring.
For two stools, the counter should be wide enough to fit each stool comfortably. Experts suggest 24–30 inches for each stool. So, add 48–60 inches for two stools. Remember, the stools' size and style, like armrests, might change this.