Built in benches

[drillman88]

A nice young couple from my church group has asked me to build a rustic kitchen set for them. It will be similar to the one in the picture. It will have a bench similar to the table top on one side. The other side will have a built in bench with storage that wraps around one end of the table. My biggest concern is how wide (distance away from the wall) to build the built in for it to be comfortable but not awkward. I am thinking between 12 and 14", but I would like someone else opinion before I lay everything out.

[RAFlorida]

That's a great piece

of rustic living. You've got a job cut out to do. I would think you'd need at least24 inches between the bench and the wall for comfort sake. Others with more knowledge will give you more help in that line. Be sure to post JPGs when building.

[chopnhack]

As you have already found the difficulty with built ins and a kitchen table is a matter of individual preference. If the table will not be anchored to the unit, it will be much easier to move to suit the diner. I had a kitchen table that had essentially a L-shaped sectional seating and I was forever as a kid readjusting the table distance to suit my height..

[drillman88]

It will be detached from the table but the space is small so I have to balance that as well. I can move the leg back from the table edge a few inches to help when the table is not in use. They are not hard to please so I have flexibility, but I want to make it as functional as possible. I was hoping someone had done this before and had some mistakes or success for me to learn from.

[chopnhack]

Drillman, since you have some design latitude, would you consider building the table with a center support, something like a pedestal? That would give you more foot freedom and with the table being free to move the spacing would be less critical. Perhaps ask your clients to look at their favorite sitting chairs in the house and take some measurements? Good luck and post pics as you go along!

[jdon]

Have you (or your friends) considered going to a restaurant with booths, with a tape measure? Might give you some idea of acceptable dimensions.

[drillman88]

Thanks for the ideas. Measuring chairs and booths and comparing it to the space is where the 12-14" came from. I would actually like to go around 16" but am afraid it will take up to much room. I think I will get some cardboard or 1/4" luan and mock up some benches to see what works. The woman sent me the picture of the table and said she wanted it to be as similar as possible. So I know the center support wouldn't suit her taste.