What are the dimensions of a standard kitchen bar?

Question

Seth Holmen · Answer

Here is the old school graphics standards. They like the stand up bar depth at 18"-24". Framing is up to you and how you want it supported. Sorry to be vague with that.

John M. · Answer

@Seth Holmen, @Steven Eitreim

John M. · Answer

Thank you both.

There are no cabinets under this bar - there is ample storage in the kitchen.   It will just be used for dining on one side, standing on the other.

Do you recommend an overhang on the 'standing' side?

How deep does the island framing need to be in order to support a 12 inch overhang?

Seth Holmen · Answer

I'm assuming this is a counter that has bar seating on one side and cabinets on the other? If so, 36" will work fine and is probably the minimum depth. This gives you about 11-12" of knee space . 42" is more generous and comfortable if it's a bar intended for eating. Alternatively, in tight spaces. I've seen overhangs as short as 8" and it still functions. This would be more for a city condo where people are use to tighter spaces. A larger suburban home will want the 36"-42" depth.

If my assumption is wrong and this is just a simple bar top, then 12-18" is all you need to set a drink on.

Steven Eitreim · Answer

That's about right.  As a personal aside, i installed a 5-foot by 9-foot quartz countertop in my own personal dwelling to facilitate lunches with my wife and 4 kids, and it's too big.  We call it the ping-pong table, as that's about the size.  5-feet is too far to reach when passing out food to those on the other side.  It has cabinet space on both sides, which is nice, but unnecessary.  We're on record for the largest single piece through our local home depot... they still refer to it as "the continent".

36 is nice with standard 24-inch depth single row of cabinets.