We’re designing a breakfast nook, how much space do we need?
Conventionally, you need at least three feet to walk past somebody — but you might want to add a little space in a kitchen, where you might be carrying a hot tray.
Or as the National Kitchen and Bath Association planning guidelines put it: “36 inches to edge past somebody, and 44 inches to walk past.”
For a tabletop that is 30 inches high, you’ll also want to allow an 18-inch deep space for each eater’s knees. You can get away with a little less knee space for high bar stools.
The best way, I think, is to take cardboard or kraft paper and make shapes representing your table and chairs and play with it on the floor.
If you want the full NKBA guidelines, they are here , courtesy of kitchens.com