Searching for the perfect marble or granite table and surfaced top but just failing to find one that suits your home? We’ve all faced the same problem – either the design wasn’t what you’re looking for, or the dimensions just weren’t quite right. So why search for tables when you can customise one to perfectly suit your needs?
Contrary to popular belief, customising your very own surface tops for the perfect furniture piece is not as expensive as it seems. If you’re looking for a touch of marble or granite to add a classic yet modern feel to your living spaces, you’ve come to the right place.
Let us walk you through how to plan your own customised surface tops – with suggested heights, lengths and a few tips along the way!
The optimal heights for your customised surface tops
Kitchen Countertops
If you are looking for a countertop to prepare your meals, a good working height for most people falls between 85 to 95cm. The best ergonomic height that is widely accepted for countertops is 36 inches (~90 cm).
Of course, this is keeping in mind that such ergonomic standards are set at an average height of individuals who are between 160cm to 172 cm – if you are much taller or shorter, you may wish to adjust the countertop height to best suit your needs. A rough guideline would be an approximate gap of 15 cm between your elbow height and countertop.
Island Tops
Why are island tops usually accompanied by high chairs? Here’s a fun fact: Kitchen islands are supposed to be the same height as your countertop.
Your island tops may serve the purpose of storage, cooking, washing and even dining! For avid bakers or aspiring chefs, the island helps to add extra space for preparation of your culinary delights. For families that dislike clutter, it can serve as an additional space to store items using inbuilt drawers and cupboards. It can also offer a respite from the common dining table, and provide a place where your family can spend time together preparing a meal, having tea or even a few drinks. Determining the purpose of your kitchen island beforehand will help you better plan your needs for inbuilt sinks, cookers and also allows for better utilisation of space.
If you have children or elderly members at home, a counter-height island should work perfectly. Alternatively, if you find the kitchen counter height too low, you may opt for a kitchen bar height. The standard kitchen bar height stands at 42 inches (~105 cm). Having a bar-height counter would allow for a definition of space between the kitchen and the rest of your home. Also, a raised bar can help to hide the clutter in your kitchen, especially that of your sink – soap, sponges and dishes.
Can’t decide between a counter or a bar top height? Not to worry, as you can have the best of both worlds! Simply split your kitchen island into two – the lower portion can be used for your inbuilt sink or induction cookers, while the higher side can be used as your dining area or bar.
There are pros and cons to the options you have when choosing your ideal island counter heights which require thought on how you want your kitchen space to look and function. Share with us your preferences, and we’ll help devise a customised solution to build your dream kitchen.
Dining Tables
Dining tables come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but one thing in common would be a height of approximately 30 inches (~75 cm) and a typical dining chair works out to be 18 inches (~45 cm) from the ground. For a comfortable dining experience, it is important to allow approximately 12 inches (~30 cm) of allowance from the top of your dining chair to the bottom of your dining table.
With our wide array of stone materials – from bright colours to black, white and even neutral tones, you are bound to find one that complements your dining room interior.
Dressing Tables
Planning to include a stand-up vanity in your bathroom? The standard bath vanity height is between 30-34 inches (~75-85 cm).
However, bathroom vanities are less common in Singapore due to space constraints. If you are planning to include a sit-down vanity in your room, 26-29 inches (~65-75 cm) would be a common height. Opting for a lower height is advised if you are one who prefers leaning forward towards the mirror when applying your make-up.
Coffee Tables
The ideal height of your coffee table depends on your couch – it should be no lower than 1-2 inches (~2.5-5 cm) from the seat, as going too low would mean losing the functionality of your coffee table. Leaning over too much to pick up and place items on your coffee table could end up becoming a chore – especially if you plan to keep your furniture for the long-term. Typically, the height of the coffee table falls between 16-18 inches (~40-45 cm).
If you own a higher sofa, you may require a taller coffee table of 20-21 inches (~50-55 cm) in height. This would allow you and your guests to be able to set down glasses, plates or items with ease.
Or, can you have a coffee table higher than your sofa? That is entirely up to your preference. Designers, however, advise that a coffee table too tall will look out of place, especially if it obstructs the sight-lines and view of your living room.
The look of your coffee table should complement the couch, and we can help you create the perfect fit to beautify your living space.
How long should my surface tops be?
The width of your kitchen countertops, vanity tables and coffee tables largely depend on the design and interior of your home, including the ideal size proportions you can allocate to the furniture without impeding the usability of your space.
Kitchen Countertops
The most common width of kitchen countertops would be 25 inches (63.5 cm), as they are meant to fit over a standard 24-inch-deep base cabinet. On the other hand, there are no standard dimensions for the length of a kitchen countertop. This is dependent on your kitchen size and how much of a space you want to cover – different homeowners have different needs. Tell us about your idea, and we will advise you on how you can transform your kitchen with a brand new countertop!
Dressing Tables
Considering that the majority of rooms in Singapore are not huge, the size of your room plays a large role in deciding how big of a vanity you should have. How much space are you willing to allocate for your vanity? Here, you have to consider the trade-offs between extra space for your makeup preparation and functionality.
Typically in today’s stores, there are three sizes of vanity tables available: A small dressing table would measure about 70-80 cm wide, a medium-sized one about 100-120 cm wide and a dressing table on the larger side would measure over 120 cm in width. When you have decided on the available space for your vanity table, then you can narrow down to whichever size is suitable for you.
Keep in mind that there are dressing tables that have lesser storage space and more legroom and also vanity tables that are built on top of a full-size drawer with a hollow leg space in the middle – indubitably, the more make-up you have, the more storage space you need!
Coffee Tables
Your living room size matters. Not only is a small coffee table in a large room disproportionate looking, but it will also have you constantly stretch your back in order to place and retrieve items on the coffee table. Alternatively, a table too large would look out of place and may steal the limelight from your living space instead of complementing it. Ideally, your coffee table’s surface should take up no more than two-thirds the width of your couch.
Island Tops
One thing to note would be that if your kitchen is not at least 8 by 12 feet, including an island would be more cumbersome than it is worth. For every seat that you are planning to add for your island’s breakfast bar, remember to set aside minimally 24 inches of space (70 cm). This is to prevent your family and friends from accidentally elbowing one another when they eat.
As for a double-tiered island, ensure that the surface for dining measures between 1 to 2 feet (~30-60 cm), and consider the remaining island space based on the purpose of use. For instance, if you are installing a sink, that means a larger surface is required. Alternatively, if you are planning to just have an area to place your ingredients when cooking, a smaller surface area would suffice. Be sure to factor in enough space around the island such that guests and family members are able to move about freely with ease.
Dining Tables
For your dining table, it is important to ensure that everyone in the family can enjoy meals together with ample space. Here are some questions to keep in consideration:
- How much space do you have in your dining room?
- How many members are there in your family?
- Do you want all family members to be able to utilise your dining table at the same time?
- Do you have frequent visitors over for meals, thus requiring a larger dining space?
- What size of a surface top would you need to cater to different seating capacities?
Start with the measurement of your dining room – you should observe enough space such that everyone is able to comfortably navigate and push their chair back even when the dining table is in use.
To allow enough space for food placement and dining, make sure your table is at least 36 inches in width (~90 cm). Here is a rough size guide that may help you better understand what table sizes are necessary for the respective capacities:
| Size (Diameter) | Seating (Oval/ Rectangular) | Seating (Round/ Square) |
| 4 feet (48 inches) | 4 people | 4 people |
| 5 feet (60 inches) | 6 people | 6 people |
| 6 feet (72 inches) | 6 people | 6 people |
| 8 feet (96 inches) | 8 people | Not a typical size |
| 10 feet (120 inches) | 8 people | Not a typical size |
Lastly, remember to factor in at least 24 inches (70 cm) of eating space for each person – this is to ensure that everyone has ample space to stretch their elbow and dine comfortably. If you have a long and narrow dining area, consider using oval and rectangular tables. Round and square tables are most suited for square dining spaces.
Feeling better equipped with information to plan your customised surface top? We’re happy to be of help. Otherwise, feel free to contact us or drop us a message on our social media platforms if you have any further queries. Let us know your preferences and we will help turn your ideas into reality.
