How Much Counter Overhang for Bar Stools?

Counter overhang is the measurement most kitchen plans leave until last, and the one that decides whether people actually sit at your island. Aim for 25cm to 30cm of surface projecting beyond the cabinet front: around 20cm allows perching, while below 15cm the counter becomes something you stand beside. This guide shows how to measure an existing overhang correctly, why worktop thickness eats into the knee clearance beneath, and how islands, peninsulas and narrow raised breakfast bars each present different limits. We explain how stool depth and base shape change the projection you need, why splayed legs stop a stool tucking in, and how to choose seating around the depth you already have. There is also practical advice on extending a shallow overhang and planning the wider seating zone around it....