How big should counter area be?

SunnyO · 01-21-2005, 09:09 PM

We're trying to design our front counter area. From looking at the photo galleries, I can see that everyone's counters vary from 6 ft. long to 12 ft. long. However, how much area do you typically leave behind the counter? What is the depth of your counter area?

Neon Beach · 01-21-2005, 09:21 PM

I think that all depends on your needs. Do you want to use it for retail displays as well as client processing? Would your remaining retail space be decreased for the sake of a large "ornamental" counter. Do you have an office, or will you require storage for files etc. under the counter?

I think only you can decide. Based on your needs.

missmojorising · 01-21-2005, 09:31 PM

You need to be a little less vauge and specify things like square footage and what you are spending on that square foot. It might have been Neon who said this (I'm too lazy to do the research and find the thread at the moment) "Your Waiting Room needs only to be as big as your Waiting Line" .

Neon Beach · 01-21-2005, 09:35 PM

If you don't need a big waiting area and very little retail space, you could make the counter huge, with bar stools, and serve Sasparilla from a tapped keg.

missmojorising · 01-21-2005, 09:46 PM

Or Heyyyyy..How about setting up that Oxygen Bar..............

SunnyO · 01-22-2005, 07:48 PM

You guys are too funny. Thanks.

jo · 01-23-2005, 04:27 PM

You need counter space approximately 50% larger than you are going to build. I have a 7 foot counter at shop#1 and it's too small. Same for the one at shop#2 and it's 14 ft long although I have display and storage incorporated. I much prefer store #2 though. The depth of the counter workspace is 22" with a 2nd level for customers about 12-15 inches deep that overlaps the workspace. You don't want deeper than the 22" because you'll be too far from your clients to interact well. #1's workspace is at desk height and not great for service. We have to sit or hunch to use the computer. #2 is 3ft for workspace. Great for standing & talking to clients. The client level is at 45". The space behind the counter depends on whether you have shelving behind and how wide it is. And whether you intend to have seating for staff. I have seating and have 3'- 3 1/2'. We don't use the seating as much at #2 because of the level of the workspace but it's nice to be able to sit down during the times there's no one there and have computer work to do.

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01-21-2005, 09:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
SunnyO Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Posts: 112 Rep Power: 5	We're trying to design our front counter area. From looking at the photo galleries, I can see that everyone's counters vary from 6 ft. long to 12 ft. long. However, how much area do you typically leave behind the counter? What is the depth of your counter area?

01-21-2005, 09:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Neon Beach I'm Banned Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 45 Posts: 52,065 Rep Power: 0	I think that all depends on your needs. Do you want to use it for retail displays as well as client processing? Would your remaining retail space be decreased for the sake of a large "ornamental" counter. Do you have an office, or will you require storage for files etc. under the counter? I think only you can decide. Based on your needs.

01-21-2005, 09:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
missmojorising I Love Derf! Who Doesn't? Join Date: Nov 17 2004 Location: Suite B4 Posts: 1,830 Rep Power: 13	You need to be a little less vauge and specify things like square footage and what you are spending on that square foot. It might have been Neon who said this (I'm too lazy to do the research and find the thread at the moment) "Your Waiting Room needs only to be as big as your Waiting Line" .

01-21-2005, 09:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Neon Beach I'm Banned Join Date: Nov 30 2000 Location: Ontario Age: 45 Posts: 52,065 Rep Power: 0	If you don't need a big waiting area and very little retail space, you could make the counter huge, with bar stools, and serve Sasparilla from a tapped keg.

01-21-2005, 09:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
missmojorising I Love Derf! Who Doesn't? Join Date: Nov 17 2004 Location: Suite B4 Posts: 1,830 Rep Power: 13	Or Heyyyyy..How about setting up that Oxygen Bar..............

01-22-2005, 07:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
SunnyO Join Date: Nov 23 2004 Posts: 112 Rep Power: 5	You guys are too funny. Thanks.

01-23-2005, 04:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
jo Join Date: Jan 8 2004 Posts: 242 Rep Power: 5	You need counter space approximately 50% larger than you are going to build. I have a 7 foot counter at shop#1 and it's too small. Same for the one at shop#2 and it's 14 ft long although I have display and storage incorporated. I much prefer store #2 though. The depth of the counter workspace is 22" with a 2nd level for customers about 12-15 inches deep that overlaps the workspace. You don't want deeper than the 22" because you'll be too far from your clients to interact well. #1's workspace is at desk height and not great for service. We have to sit or hunch to use the computer. #2 is 3ft for workspace. Great for standing & talking to clients. The client level is at 45". The space behind the counter depends on whether you have shelving behind and how wide it is. And whether you intend to have seating for staff. I have seating and have 3'- 3 1/2'. We don't use the seating as much at #2 because of the level of the workspace but it's nice to be able to sit down during the times there's no one there and have computer work to do.

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