Taking kitchen seating clearances into account when designing your new kitchen can mean the difference between loving your kitchen and being annoyed each time you’re in it!
You may have plenty of leg room while sitting at your new island, but will someone trying to get to the refrigerator have to edge behind you to reach it or can they walk up to it freely and normally? According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), a minimum of 36” of clearance is required just to allow a person to edge past someone who is seated. A minimum of 44” will allow that same person to walk past comfortably. If possible, allowing 60” will also provide room for a wheelchair to pass.
Edging past someone might not be a problem once in a while, but it could become very annoying if it’s a routine part of your day. Remember that the kitchen is often the most popular room in the house and tends to be the room where everyone congregates – especially when you are trying to cook. Allowing for room to work around seated family and friends during the design phase will ensure years of enjoyment in your new kitchen.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some recommended clearances for seating in your beautiful and functional new kitchen. Since people come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and some move more easily than others, allow as much room as possible for seating. That means that seating should be between 28 and 34 inches in height, at least 34 to 36 inches wide and a minimum of 19 inches deep. These measurements will ensure that a wide variety of people can be comfortably seated.
Contact us for professional help designing your new kitchen and have a comfortable, efficient kitchen you will enjoy sharing with family and friends for years to come!
