How to Measure Up for Bench Seats for Kitchen Islands: A Simple Sizing Guide

A bench seat is a lovely alternative to individual stools at a kitchen island. It seats children easily, looks tidy when tucked away and creates a relaxed, sociable perch for breakfasts and conversation while someone cooks. Kitchen islands vary far more than dining tables, however, and a bench that is even a few centimetres too high, too low or too long quickly becomes uncomfortable. This step by step guide shows you exactly what to measure and how to turn those figures into the right bench. We start with worktop height and explain the difference between counter and bar height islands. We then show how to work out the ideal seat height, how much overhang is needed for knee room, how to measure the clear length beneath the worktop and how much floor space to leave behind the bench. We also cover bench depth, footrests, the choice between benches and stools and the most common measuring mistakes to avoid....