If you are planning to build a bar or a counter in any of your spaces like a basement or a kitchen, something that is always important to know is the standard height.
If you know the standard height, this is what you can base the rest of your project around as it will ensure that you are making everything fit properly.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that you can adapt and change the standard height quite easily, however, the more you change it, the more noticeable and awkward the difference might be.
If this is the first time you are working on a woodworking project, then it is important to remember that knowing standard height will make your work significantly easier and will ensure that you will not run into any easy hurdles.
Make sure that before you start any project with woodworking that you know the standard height you should be working with!
Standard Bar Height
The standard height when you are making a bar will be 42 inches, this is to match most bar stools that are usually 30 inches tall, however, these are now quite often adjustable.
You will also want to ensure that when you are building a bar that the height will be the combination of the height of the frame with the thickness of the bar top on top of this.
So, if you make the frame 42 inches, your whole bar will likely end up a little too tall and this can be very awkward to fix.
Bar Height Stools
As we mentioned in the previous section, the standard height of a bar stool is around 30 inches, but these are usually adjustable.
It is worth pointing out that while the standard height of a bar stool is usually 30 inches, they are usually found to be anywhere between 28 and 33 inches.
If you are not sticking to the standard height for the bar, you will want to ensure that the bar stools stick to a similarly changed height so they fit well.
You want the bar stool to fit under the bar with someone sitting on it so they can lean on the bar and be comfortable when they are getting up.
Bar Top
As we mentioned in the section on the standard height of the bar, the bar top will be contributing to the height of your standard height for the bar, so make sure to take it into account.
Generally speaking, the frame of the bar will be about 40 inches of the standard height and the last 2 inches will be the bar top.
Of course, this will vary depending on the material you are using for your bar top, so keep this in mind when you are planning the project.
If you do not keep the thickness of your bar top in mind when you are constructing the bar frame, your bar will likely end up too tall to be comfortable to use.
The width of a standard bar top will be somewhere between 16 and 20 inches, however, while you can choose either end of this spectrum, we recommend sticking closer to 20 inches, this will ensure that you have enough space for snacks and drinks to rest on.
If you make your space too small, while it might be a little easier to rest on and might work better in smaller spaces, you are still quite likely to regret the lack of space!
Standard Counter Height
The standard height for a counter is close to 36 inches, and this is to fit a counter stool that will usually be 27 inches. As you can see, this means that a counter will usually be around half a foot shorter than a bar and this is the main factor that differentiates them.
For our definition, we think that this is because counters are more used for working at, while bars are used for sitting at, and the taller height is what makes sitting at a bar easier, and the counter being lower is what makes working at it easier.
Counter Height Stools
As we mentioned in the previous section, the standard height for a counter stool will be around 27 inches, but depending on the height of the counter, they can get as low as 24 inches.
Since usually fewer people sit at a counter, we recommend buying or making a counter stool at the height that will be most comfortable for the people that are using it the most often!
Bar Height And Pub Height Tables
Generally speaking a pub height table will be a similar size to a table that is at a bar height being around 42 inches tall, and then the stool will be close to 30 inches.
This is also a similar height for a bar dining table as well. If you are building a bar and you have ended up with extra wood leftover, making a pub table is a great simple project to try to get through the leftovers.
Bar Height And Pub Height Stools
Similarly to the previous point, the standard height for a pub stool will also be 30 inches just like a bar stool, however, it is slightly less common to find a pub stool that is adjustable like a bar one is.
Standard Table Height
Generally speaking a standard table in a kitchen will be around 30 inches tall, and the chairs meant to fit this will be 18 inches high to fit it.
There are other tables that might have slightly different heights like coffee tables that will be between 14 and 20 inches off the ground!
Summary
Hopefully this guide has given you all the information you need to get started on your woodworking projects like making a bar or a counter.
These projects are not as difficult as they seem, however they do need effort and patience if you are a beginner so ensure that you are following a guide which you trust!
Hi, I’m John Whitford, and I work as a tradesman. Having specialized in plumbing for over 15 years, I’ve worked in a number of environments, but my biggest business is for those who need help with day to day plumbing tasks in their homes.
I started AMDorm.com to provide handy information, advice and how-to guides to help others turn their homes into the house of their dreams!
