How to Make More Leg Room in a Kitchen Peninsula

Measure the overhang on your peninsula. The minimum overhang for shorter people is 12 inches. For taller people, the overhang ranges from 15 to 18 inches. Deduct your existing overhang from the amount you want. Check your measurement at the wall if your peninsula dies into a wall on one side. Ensure that no obstacles are in your extended depth.

Cut butcher block or glass to your peninsula length by 14 inches. Cut the butcher block using a table saw. Order your three-eights inch glass cut to size with the ends finished.

Glue spacers to the underside of the glass. Use a 1-inch high spacer. Space the spacers in pairs with one 2 inches from the edge of the existing overhang area of the countertop and the second one 1 inch from the edge of the glass. Use a set of spacers every 2 to 3 feet of counter length. This should allow your glass to overhang the existing cabinet by 12 to 18 inches.

Attach screws through spacers to the underside of the butcher block. Test fit the spacers first using the same pairing and measurements used for glass. Once the locations for the spacers are chosen, look at the butcher block or glass top from underneath to ensure the spacers locations are accessible from the underside. Some should be in the overhang area of the existing counter top, some should be over the cabinet area counter top. Open the cabinet to check that you can reach the location of the spacer with a drill.

Turn the glass or spacer marked butcher block upside down. Place a sheet of large paper over the counter and mark the exact locations of the spacer center holes. Poke a hole through each mark. Position your paper mark side down on the counter and mark through the holes for the exact location of your spacer's positions.

Place painter's tape over the drill location and transfer your mark to the tape. The tape will prevent chipping of the counter surface. Drill through the counter top using the appropriate type of drill bit for your counter top material. Screw up through the underside of the counter using bolts and washers for screwing into the glass spacer. Use wood screws to screw through the hollow spacer and into the butcher block.