Standard table, counter, bar and chair heights for comfortable seating

Being familiar with standard chair heights, table heights, bar counter and kitchen counter heights is a crucial element of good design. Understanding standard furniture heights is also so important when it comes to choosing or buying new furniture for your own home. You may have a dining table for which you need new chairs and in some cases you can take a chair away on apro to test but if you are buying furniture online it’s so important to get the dimensions right. Alternatively you may have existing chairs that need reupholstering and it’s important to know what the standard height should be, next to your dining table, so that you can instruct your upholsterer correctly on the finished seat cushion height required.

There is nothing worse than sitting down at a table in a restaurant where the designer has not worked correctly with the standard chair heights in relation to the tables and you feel like you are sitting too low. It makes not only for an uncomfortable eating position but also has a negative psychological impact of minimizing confidence when you sit too low.

Together with a very helpful guide from Parotas Wood Furniture (which formed part of our research), and our own variations and opinions you should find this standard furniture height reference guide extremely useful. If you need help we will be very happy to come and measure and give you recommendations on the best heights to choose for your space.

So what is the standard chair height rule for sitting comfortably?

Most chair heights (if you measure from the floor to the top of the seat are between 43 – 48 cms whilst stool heights start a little lower and range between 40 – 58 cms. These will comfortably sit under a table height of 71 – 76 cms but if your table has an apron around it, remember to factor that in.

The Golden rule for comfortable seating

The golden rule for comfortable seating is to allow at least 23 – 33 cms (max) between your table or bar counter and the top of your seat. Anything over 30 cms is a lot but these measurements will allow people to comfortably cross their legs under the table

These standard chair heights, table heights, bar counter and kitchen counter heights should form a welcoming resource for those designing and making furniture but also as a reference for Interior Designers or for individuals buying furniture for their own homes.

Standard table heights

Standard dining table height and kitchen table height 71 – 76 cms

Standard table heights vary according to their use and because table styles vary in design you will find that they normally fall within the ranges above

Standard counter height 86-99 cms

Kitchen counters and islands are usually between 86-99cms but the standard is 91.5cms

Standard bar table height 102-109 cms

Bar tables can also be much higher. We’ve seen bar counters up to 119 cms but then usually you will need custom-made bar stools that are strong and sturdy to include a supportive foot rest which may be used to climb up onto the stool.

Standard coffee table height 45 – 51 cms

Coffee tables work best when they are either a little lower than your sofa seats by 2-5cms or the same level as your sofa seat. Always allow at least 30 cms between sofa and table and ideally make sure your coffee table is about two-thirds the length of your sofa.

Standard side table height 56 – 76 cms

Side tables should be positioned just below the armrest of your sofa. Side table heights can vary between 56 – 76cms so it is very important to get this right. An armrest is usually about 63cms high so adjust your side table accordingly. Remember that it won’t be comfortable whilst seated to have the glare of a table lamp bulb in view so ensure that the lamp shade base is below eye level, when seated

Standard console table heights 61 – 106 cms

A hallway console would normally be about 84 cms high but if it butts up to a sofa, it must definitely sit below the top of the back of the sofa. For TV consoles you need the console height to be about 107 cms from the floor to the CENTRE OF THE TV. The general eye level of an adult in a relaxed seating position is 61 cms above the seat of the sofa. The sofa seat is usually about 45 cms from the floor.

Standard nightstand (pedestal) height 61 – 71 cms

It is difficult to provide a standard nightstand height because mattress thickness varies so much these days however common practice is that the night table top is slightly higher than the top of your mattress, purely for comfort’s sake. Standard bed heights are about 63cms so in this case, your night table should be 5-15cms higher. This would make your nightstand 68 – 78cms high. Remember that both nightstands don’t need to be the same height or style. For visual balance they should ideally be within 5cms difference from each other unless you have something completely different on each side. You may have an antique nightstand on one side and wall-mounted irregular shelving on the other. Get creative!

Standard office desk heights 71 – 76 cms

Because we spend so many hours at our computers these days, this one is really important to get right and needs to be adjusted to the users own height. If the desk is for someone of 173 – 178 cms a desk height of between 71-76 cms is best with a standard desk chair height of 40-53cms. Adjustable desks are a good option that can range from 56-84cms. Arms (same applies for standing desks), legs and feet should be at 90 degree angles, and the top of the seat should sit just below your knee cap.

Standard bathroom counter heights 86 -89 cms

For bathroom counter heights be sure to take into consideration whether your basin is set into the counter or whether it sits on top. Don’t make the classic mistake of installing your bathroom counter at 89 cms and then placing your counter top basin on top of that. This will make it very uncomfortable for washing your hands and face.

Summary of standard table heights