When we had our house built I wanted a place large enough to lay out fabric and cut. Part of my counter space has no back splash and looks into the family room and it's about 41 inches wide and 72 inches long. I can spread out the fabric and cut pieces. It's also the right height and does bother my 70+ year old back. If my fabric is a heavy piece, I can put a chair up to the end of the counter and lay the fabric on the chair. My sewing room is not large enough for sewing machines, fabric and cutting area.