Bar counter in a white kitchen: 50+ real photo examples

What is it and why is it needed?

Just ten years ago, such a piece of furniture would not have fit into our kitchen due to the love of gatherings with the whole family at a large table. But times change and dictate their own conditions: now a bar counter is an excellent option for drinking coffee or having a snack before going to a cafe with friends.

In addition to the obvious functions, it performs several more:

additional work area;
zoning;
alternative to the dining table;
additional storage space.

The bar counter appeared in bars in North America. They were used to delimit the space between the hall and the cash register area - this way drinks and dishes remained intact. And under the tabletop, weapons were stored, with the help of which it was possible to calm down violent visitors or protect proceeds and goods from thieves.

In the photo you can see the zone lighting above the bar counter on the plasterboard ceiling

Transformable bar counter - photo

When choosing a bar counter for the kitchen and the material for its manufacture, first of all you need to think about what exact function this item will perform and how often it will be used.
You should also take into account the size of the kitchen, its design features and the organization of space. GKL - catalog with prices.

What are they made from?

To create a harmonious interior, it is better to choose the material from which the kitchen corner, set or countertop is made. It is important to consider the style and quality of the material. You should not try to save on furniture, since the wear resistance of cheap materials is low. And thus, a piece of furniture can quickly turn into a source of problems.

The most popular materials for making a bar counter are:

Chipboard, fibreboard, MDF — the advantage of these materials is a large selection of colors and appearance in general. This is especially true for laminated copies - covered with a thin plastic film on top. Such diversity allows you to fantasize about the interior - for example, make a stand to match the rest of the furniture or contrast it;
Bar counter in a small kitchen with a white glossy countertop
plastic - perfect if the kitchen is made in modern styles with minimalist features;
acrylic is a flexible and pliable material that allows you to create a tabletop of any shape with bulges, bends and even shaped elements. Suitable for modern and futuristic design;
wood is a popular material for the kitchen, natural and environmentally friendly. Wood is easy to process, so the stand can be decorated with carvings or decorated with tiles, mirrors or mosaics. A solid wooden bar counter will look luxurious even in a small kitchen, but not too heavy due to its strict forms. Wenge-colored countertops made from slabs of ash, oak, and pine are very popular; the base can be made of boards and bars with rattan. The combination of metal and wood, decorated in an antique style, looks beautiful;
stone - the most preferred option for a tabletop, since it can fit into almost any interior. In addition, it is visually attractive in itself, and is also very wear-resistant. Both natural (granite, marble) and artificial (acrylic) stone are suitable;
Corian is a very popular imitation of marble, which costs several times less than natural material. There is another significant plus - a rich color palette that will allow you to choose a stand for any interior;
glass - a bold option that will suit lovers of originality or owners of a small kitchen, as it creates the effect of lightness and airiness. Looks great in a modern kitchen;
Green kitchen with a rounded breakfast bar

Drywall is an economical solution that can be used to create a stand of any shape imaginable. Since the option is not the strongest, it is better to use this piece of furniture only as decoration. Do not forget that drywall does not like an abundance of moisture and temperature changes, so it can become deformed;
tiles - used only as decor on a plasterboard basis, considered an outdated option and impractical due to the seams;
concrete is one-piece specimens that will take a lot of time and money, but it is precisely such elements that take the interior to a new level;
metal - an original solution that will fit perfectly into the interior of a modern kitchen. If you add forged elements, you will get an excellent example in the Art Nouveau style. The base is most often made of stainless steel.
Black and white kitchen with an unusually shaped bar counter

Varieties

A corner kitchen with a bar counter is truly original and practical, which is why manufacturers and sellers often insist on just such a configuration. But we must not forget that the size and appearance still depend on the wishes of the owners. Let's look at the main types of racks and their features.

Classic

The standard narrow model is no higher than 120 centimeters. It is located either perpendicular or parallel to the headset. In most cases, it has only one support, thanks to which it makes the space lighter and airier, visually expanding it. Will fit perfectly into any interior style.

Bunk

An interesting model that is more suitable for modern styles such as hi-tech and modern. This stand has two tabletop levels, the second is located 15–20 centimeters above the first. This addition can be used as a snack area or purely decorative.

It creates a large technological space, so it can easily be equipped with a hob or sink.

The most common location is perpendicular to the kitchen unit.

A two-tier apartment is a convenient option if there are elderly people and children in the house. There are comfortable places for all family members.

Transformer

This solution will be appreciated by owners of small kitchens in a minimalist style. Most of the time, the transforming bar counter is hidden: at the right moment it is raised or pulled out from another tabletop. When the need for this surface passes, the rack is retracted.

Article on the topic: There is a solution! Folding transformable bar counter for the kitchen

Such technological solutions are increasingly gaining popularity among consumers. There are different options for transforming stands: folding, retractable, folding, mobile, rotating.

Semicircular

One of the most convenient options for a bar counter is that it can easily replace a dining table for several people at once. But this also requires a large room. This counter looks very original and stylish, but it is not suitable for a small kitchen.

Mini

It’s easy to guess that this is a reduced-sized bar counter designed for small kitchens. Such models are very popular in European countries, since their apartments cannot boast of scale at all.

Externally, a mini-stand is a narrow appendage that is perpendicular to the work area, with or without a console for support. Such a table is easy to imagine in any kitchen.

Shapes and sizes

The next thing you need to decide on when choosing a bar counter is its shape. The following options are available:

corner - universal furniture that will allow you to use the room as efficiently as possible.
Zones the space, emphasizes the interior; Light green kitchen with a gray bar counter and a yellow apron

U-shaped - suitable for large and very large kitchens. Combines several work surfaces, making the cooking process as comfortable as possible. It will serve as the main accent of the room, setting the tone and style of the entire kitchen;
rectangular (square) - a classic version of the stand, without corners and turns. Thanks to the shape, it is easy to fit any equipment or shelves under the rack;

rounded (oval) - one of the previous options, but with cut corners;

incorrect - can be in the form of any geometric figure. It is rare because it is difficult to fit into the interior.
Read also: Patina on kitchen furniture and facades: how to do it yourself

It is worth saying a few words about size standards. The height of the rack directly depends on the tabletop. And the tabletops range in height from 82 to 110 centimeters - they are selected individually to suit the height of the hostess. For comparison, the height of a regular table is 75 centimeters.

We talked in great detail about how to choose the height of the bar counter, chairs and stools in this article.

The height of the bar counter is also selected individually: you need to take another 15–20 centimeters up from the tabletop. On average it reaches 110–130 centimeters. If we are talking about a combined version, then it is installed at the level of the working area - 86–90 cm from the floor.

The minimum width is 30 centimeters, but the optimal value is considered to be 60–80 centimeters - you can sit behind it on both sides. But the length depends on the size of the room and the number of users. Usually 60 centimeters is taken per person.

It is also important to consider the thickness of the tabletop: reliable options start from 25 mm.

Varieties in design and configuration

There are a huge variety of types and designs of bar counters on the market, and understanding them is not easy. Let's list the features of each of them to make it easier to make a choice.

Wall rack

As is clear from the name itself, such a piece of furniture is installed along the wall, regardless of the kitchen unit. This is an excellent option for a non-standard kitchen if you need to adapt to disproportionate rooms.

Usually the end is fixed to the wall, and the extension rack itself becomes a dining area. This is the most popular option and is suitable for most interiors.

But there are also more original types of planning. One of them is instead of a window sill: that is, the long side of the tabletop is adjacent to the wall and window. Below, under the decorative grille, the battery is hidden, if necessary.

Slopes can be turned into niches for a bar: install rails or hang shelves for storing kitchen utensils or bar accessories.

Every meal will be accompanied by a beautiful view from the window.

If you want to attach a balcony to the kitchen, it is better to leave part of the wall that served as the base for the window - it can be easily converted into a bar counter. You just need to put the tabletop on top, and the base is already there. You will get a spacious kitchen combined with a loggia.

Combined (built-in) rack

This counter is a continuation of the kitchen countertop. Manufacturers offer headset options with a built-in stand, but if you wish, you can order it yourself, guided by your tastes and needs.

The combined bar counter is not so high, but this can be considered a plus if the kitchen is small. You won’t have to think about its decoration, since the bar counter completely duplicates the work area countertop.

The most common and best option for installing a stand is at an angle to the headset, that is, perpendicular. In long rooms this way you can balance the shape of the room.

Island

This option is found only in large kitchens or studios where there is a lot of free space. This is a very multifunctional furniture option, since you can fit a stove, mini-refrigerator, oven, sink, and organize storage space using shelves, drawers and rails.

White kitchen-living room with a bar counter in the form of an island.

You can also make a lighter version using consoles. In any case, the counter can be used both as a work area and as a dining area. The entire kitchen interior is built around the island, but the style and appearance must match the set - this creates an effect of integrity. According to their shape they are divided into semicircular, angular and U-shaped.

Two-level

The classic two-level option is suitable even for a large family: the stand has two levels - low and high.

Children and older people will find it much more comfortable to dine on a low tabletop. And on high - for everyone else.

It is a narrow platform that is installed on the opposite side of the workplace without taking up extra space.

The two-tier option for the kitchen-living room is especially popular. In this case, a higher countertop is left on the living room side in order to zone the space as much as possible and leave a low level for the work area in the kitchen.

Partition

A popular option for open-plan studio apartments. Such a room always requires zoning, and the bar counter easily performs this function and at the same time serves as a convenient place for eating. It is located parallel to the main furniture and is often a continuation of the wall.

Yellow kitchen in a studio with a bar counter

With a niche

A very functional solution, especially for a small niche kitchen. They can be designed in a very original way. For example, place accessories and decorative items like beautiful bottles of wine, and put away kitchen utensils in a closed space.

Modular

In fact, this is an ordinary high table, but if you arrange glass storage next to it on the wall or ceiling using a holder, it will look like a real bar counter. You can add shelves under the tabletop to this modular table to store bottles of wine.

Interesting read: Modular kitchen made from separate blocks. What is it and how to collect it?

Transformer

If the kitchen is very small, then you can add a transforming stand to the interior, which will unfold during lunch or dinner and accommodate the whole family. There are several mechanisms by which transformers are classified:

retractable (roll-out) - Suitable for a very small kitchen. Most of the time, the countertop is “hidden” in the kitchen unit, and is pulled out for lunch or dinner;
rotary (rotating) - in this option, the bar tabletop is again hidden under the work area, but in this case it does not extend, but rotates, thanks to which the floors will be more intact, but the counter itself is not so strong;
folding (folding) — the stand-table is attached to the wall, there is a support on which the tabletop will lie. The layout is exactly the same as that of the famous Soviet table, which every family has and is moved once a year for the New Year.

Similar transformers exist in different sizes, so you can easily find an option for your kitchen.

Mobile

Some will call a mobile bar counter a serving table, but they will be wrong - the difference is in height. The table can be up to 80 centimeters high, the stand will be 20 centimeters higher or even more.

Roll-out bar counter with cabinets

A distinctive feature of mobile stands is wheels. It is thanks to them that furniture can roll from the kitchen to the living room and back. The wheels have a lock, thanks to which the stand will not move during the meal.

It is important to consider where the bar stools will be found when the furniture is not in use. It may make sense to purchase folding options.

Options for bar counters in the kitchen

Kitchens of this type are included in projects for furnishing apartments, cottages, country houses, summer cottages, office canteens, and restaurant kitchens. This arrangement is suitable for almost any interior style. For corner formations, you can select any shades, colors, lines, textures and materials. And the bar counter can simultaneously serve as a dining table and a place for temporary storage of kitchen utensils. A properly selected bar counter helps to properly organize the space.

Corner kitchen furniture set with an adjacent light high stand Source avatars.mds.yandex.net

Mini

Miniature dimensions of a high surface are equipped on a leg or 2 metal supports. The tabletop is not massive - it is almost half as thick as the worktop. There are no sides or large decorations. Such models do not take up much space and look weightless. It is enough to attach a cup holder or other life hack to a metal support pipe.

Small kitchen with a small high bar counter Source kaspiysk.kuhni-na-zakaz.pro

With base

The base of the stand is similar to a cabinet table. The design has great functionality, because inside it you can store various utensils or dishes (if the stand is not stationary). Such models are often made in the form of a full-fledged continuation of the headset. They have the same table top and body.

A massive bar counter with a base looks bulky against the background of the headset Source mykaleidoscope.ru

Bunk

The surface of the rack is divided into two tiers. The first level is floor, the second serves as a shelf hanging over the lower tabletop. The element is mounted on supports made of chrome-plated steel or decorative plastic pipes. Less commonly, sides and supports made of laminated chipboard are used for this. This option is perfect for families where short or frail family members live - children, elderly people, disabled people.

Corner kitchen in a classic style with an attached two-tier bar counter Source stemcellglobal.info

Mobile

The mobile bar counter provides additional comfort during its use. Such options are made on special supports to which rollers are attached. There must be locks on the rollers so that the structure maintains its stability when stationary.

Small corner kitchen with a small mobile bar counter Source smartyofficiel.com

Semicircular

This type of counter is great for corner kitchens in large or medium-sized spaces. Installation along the edge of the working part of the kitchen unit is carried out at a lower level - 10-12 cm. The stand consists of one tabletop, which goes around the table-cabinet along the edge, and a pair of supports made of a metal pipe. More people can be seated behind such a counter.

A semicircular two-color bar counter creates the illusion of a two-tier model Source dom-kuhni.com

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of bar counters in corner kitchens:

Ergonomics. Doesn't take up much space. Solves the issue of saving space for arranging a dining area.
Multifunctionality. At the same time it serves as a furniture accessory, a beautiful interior element, a delimiter, an additional work surface and a dining table.
Compactness. The space under the countertop can be easily equipped with modern storage systems where you can store small kitchen utensils.
Convenience. The small surface area is ideal for a quick snack. In the morning you can comfortably drink a cup of coffee or have a snack between lunch and dinner.
Layout. With an elongated design, it is easy to divide the space into different zones - work, dining, and a relaxation area where the sofa will be placed. It is ideal for studio apartments.
Style and presentability. The original shape, lines, shades, materials and decor are a modern and stylish addition to the kitchen set.

The bar countertop is an additional work surface in the kitchen Source inrosstroy.ru

Inside the bar counter there are shelves behind the facade for storing dishes Source zov-v-ekaterinburge.ru

The bar counter divides the room into two rooms - the kitchen and the living room Source vestnikao.ru

Performance styles

The bar counter appeared relatively recently and is considered a modern type of furniture. But this does not mean that it is useful only for modern styles.

In a classic interior, a properly selected stand will look stylish, appropriate and luxurious. The convenient thing is that most often they are already included with the kitchen set, so you don’t have to choose anything yourself.

Classic style

The classic style does not have many requirements for furniture, and they are quite easy to fulfill:

use only natural materials - it is best to use wood with carvings, patterns, but laconic packaging;
choose a standard rectangular shape;
the ideal model is an island one.

The disadvantage of the island model is that it requires a lot of free space, but the classic interior also needs it, so there is no dissonance here.

Modern style

The main thing in a modern kitchen is functionality, so the bar counter should take into account all the features of the kitchen, becoming its logical continuation.

The decor is kept to a minimum: figured details are inappropriate. The decor should be the metal itself, its matte or gloss, shape or color scheme.

White bar top on island

Provence

Provence is somewhat similar to classic design, but carries a completely different image - simple, light and natural. The bar counter is again made of wood. But in this case it is better to paint it white or any other pastel color.

The furniture is selected antique or simply aged with patina.

Minimalism

Minimalism is one of the simplest styles to implement, since it has a minimum number of requirements. Colors, shapes, lines should be laconic, and decorative elements should be absent.

Geometry plays a big role in the interior, so the bar counter will most likely look like a rectangular piece of wood or plastic, which will open up in harmony with the rest of the furniture.

Kitchen-living room without upper cabinets with a bar counter. It is probably made of plasterboard and lined with artificial stone, acting as a partition

Loft

In such an interior, the bar counter looks most appropriate and organic. Loft loves to combine urban and industrial details, the symbiosis of which surprisingly makes the room more comfortable.

Concrete and wooden surfaces would look appropriate. The slightly raw look looks especially chic.

Orange kitchen with a pull-out black bar counter

Advantages of a bar counter in the interior

The bar counter has long ceased to be purely restaurant and bar furniture. Thanks to some features, it has taken its place in many kitchens. With its help you can add a touch of lightness and ease. However, the classic model may not always fit into a standard kitchen. Therefore, a rational solution would be to use a transforming kitchen counter. Let's look at the advantages of this type of furniture.

An additional work surface that can be easily hidden when not needed.
Suitable for almost any interior and kitchen size.
Often used for zoning space.
It can serve as an alternative to a regular dining table, which makes it very relevant in small kitchens.

It has a functional load, representing a convenient additional work surface, a place for breakfast or a snack, or friendly gatherings over a cup of coffee.

Bar counter colors

Color, like style, depends on the overall design of the kitchen. There are two tactics you can follow when choosing a color scheme for your counter:

a similar color palette or even the same shade (for example, the stand is already included);
contrast solution, for example, black and white.

to match the set or work area (tabletop) in two cases:

if a massive bar island is selected;
if the counter is a continuation of the tabletop.

Such a tone-on-tone solution will help create a feeling of a single space in the kitchen, and will also bring harmony to the interior.

If it is important to highlight the bar table by placing emphasis on it, you can choose contrasting furniture. It is important to monitor the combination of colors. Of course, black and white are considered one of the most popular and effective combinations; their symbiosis can be seen in the photo.

Kitchen design with a bar counter

Some of the kitchen design photos with a breakfast bar also show a mini dining area, as most of the homes we see these days have them next to each other without division.

This white and blue ensemble in the photo above shows a clean and pleasant atmosphere in the kitchen. Bar counters are flexible in nature - there are so many design possibilities that they can fit into almost any decor, regardless of size, shape or layout.

The beauty of this kitchen design with a breakfast bar is that the designer mixed cream-colored cabinets with granite countertops. It looks modern and at the same time cozy.

Simple kitchen is an understatement for the name of this orange beauty. The combination of walls, orange kitchen units and pendant lamps looks amazingly stunning.

This modern kitchen design with breakfast bar , featuring black and white cabinetry and black floor tiles with white countertops, makes this space look chic. Make your countertops work for you by extending them beyond the cabinet, creating a small overhang that should be large enough to accommodate two bar stools.

Your bar will likely become the busy center of your daily kitchen life, so you want a material that is both durable and attractive without requiring much maintenance. Consider contrasting textures and colors to really make it stand out from the rest of your kitchen units, and play with levels to separate it from the countertops.

In this design as in the photo above, we can see that wood and granite are a common thing that we can see in many kitchens. It goes together great!

The best options for a small kitchen

Not everyone has a kitchen that is as spacious as they would like. Housewives in Khrushchev-era apartment buildings especially suffer, because it is difficult to create an interesting and comfortable design in a small space.

You should immediately abandon the overall rack options, since large objects make the room visually smaller. It is advisable to keep within 90 centimeters.

You need to understand that if in a large kitchen a counter is an indicator of luxury and style, then in a small kitchen it is often a forced multifunctional necessity, since it takes up much less space than a dining table.

In addition, you can arrange storage space in the rack - sliding, folding, retractable, travel and other drawers.

Bar counter in a wooden house

An island bar model is only possible if the kitchen is combined with the living room. In such an interior, the counter will act as a partition and look very organic. It is important to ensure that there is enough space between the island and the unit for two people to pass through.

Most often, in small kitchens, a bar counter is placed on the windowsill. If this is not possible, you should take a closer look at mini-racks.

If we talk about style, it is better to abandon a large amount of decor, since this can also visually narrow the space.

If the family is large and there is little space, you can take a closer look at folding transformers: thanks to a simple mechanism, a small tabletop turns into an excellent dining area.

Placement options and errors

You can give free rein to your imagination and experiment for a long time with the placement of the bar table. You may find the perfect placement soon (or not so soon). You can go the other way - choose from time-tested and other people-tested options and save time.

Continuation of the kitchen set. Such options are especially popular in the Scandinavian style, in particular in the IKEA store. And in our country this is becoming one of the most common and most often observed options. It is always at the same height as the main tabletop, or literally five centimeters higher. Access should be from two sides, which makes the space as functional as possible. In this case, the bar counter is one of the sides of the letter L in the corner layout.
Freestanding. Often this option is also called a kitchen island, since the counter is not connected to the corner kitchen unit, but “floats” separately. Of course, such an island cannot be placed in a kitchen of 6 square meters. m - more spacious options are required, since at least a meter must be maintained from the stand to the headset. In fact, the bar counter in this version is as close as possible to the table, because it doesn’t even have to be narrow. Another advantage is that you can store kitchen utensils inside.
Wall-mounted. Another classic version of a bar table - the fastening does not go to the set, but at one end to the wall. The other end is usually picked up with a support or pole - in the second case, it is possible to install additional tiers.
Windowsill. A young and trendy version of the bar counter. The point is not only to replace the window sill, but to run the bar top along the entire wall, including the window. This option will look especially beautiful in apartments with large windows - you can drink coffee, go about your business and admire the view. A wall or window sill stand is not suitable for a large space. This is a good solution for a small kitchen, where it can serve as a table.

Still, in an L-shaped kitchen, designers advise sticking to the first option - placing the bar counter perpendicular to the countertop. But here there are two options:

the kitchen set itself is L-shaped, and the counter creates the letter “P”, thus separating the work area from the rest of the space - this layout will look great in studios or kitchen-living rooms;
the bar counter is the head of the letter “G” - this layout is suitable even for very small kitchens, for example, in a Khrushchev-era building.

Possible mistakes

It is extremely important to think through the layout of the kitchen, especially if it will have a bar counter. The fact is that the table has an unusual shape - elongated, so it can greatly interfere with the cooking process. Here are the two most common mistakes with this piece of furniture:

installing a refrigerator behind the counter;
division of the working area of the headset by perpendicular installation of the stand.

Both options imply that you will often have to go around the counter itself to take the necessary product, utensils or any other item. The main rule of planning is violated - furniture should not interfere with movement or embarrass the owners of the apartment.

Checking yourself for this mistake is as easy as shelling pears - the work triangle should not be divided by a bar counter, that is, the refrigerator, sink and stove should be on one side of this piece of furniture.

Bar counter for kitchen-living room

Such rooms are large in size, so you can “shelter” a bar counter without any problems.

Of course, you can install the stand as an extension of the work area. But it is much more logical to organize some kind of recreation area behind it, where guests and owners can have a snack and have a spiritual conversation.

If there is really a lot of free space, for example, in a country house, then a real minibar will become the highlight of the design. But even in this case, you should not build the entire interior around the counter - it should not become the main element. It is better to install it next to the dining table or TV.

In the kitchen-living room there are practically no restrictions on the size of furniture - the area allows everything. But if you have low ceilings, you should abandon the multi-level rack in order to prevent them from lowering them even more.

Advantages of folding bar counters

This unique invention has a lot of undeniable advantages. First of all, a folding bar is a significant saving of space, which is so lacking in small square meters. The desire to make a bar counter will lead to a complete combination of necessary areas, such as a working, dining and even living room, which is so lacking in a small kitchen.

An additional folding stand will greatly help in increasing the working surfaces if they are sorely lacking. This applies to those housewives who are accustomed to cooking a lot and involving the younger generation in this process. The folding version will help several people to be in the room at the same time, performing different food preparation processes.

Small retractable or folding surfaces will be a godsend for miniature kitchens

The folding mechanism will provide a small kitchen with a dining area, as it can take on the function of a kitchen table, and the transforming bar counter will significantly increase its size, which will allow not only the family, but also guests to gather for dinner.

How to decorate and arrange?

All fittings can be divided according to their purpose and type of fastening. Usually accessories are made of metal, sometimes tempered glass is added. Thanks to this, you can choose the most suitable option in tone:

copper;
bronze;
gold;
chromium.

The coating can be glossy or matte.

According to their purpose, shelves are divided into those in which you can:

store kitchen utensils;
hang ladles, cups, cutting boards;
store glasses and bottles.

There are also three types of bar shelves according to the type of fastening :

central ones - for example, a fruit bowl, holders for glasses, niches for cutlery;
rotating - mounted on a rail that extends to the side, can rotate around its axis. Indispensable for a small kitchen, since the rotating mechanism can always be moved to the side;
suspended - fastening occurs to the ceiling, and not to the rack. Thanks to this solution, the kitchen looks very stylish and modern.

Hanging baskets with their ends adjacent to the wall look original. Most often they are multi-tiered, fastening occurs like railing hooks on an apron.

Technique

Equipment is rarely built into a bar counter - the dimensions do not allow it. Sometimes a sink is included - if it is combined with the work area.

The island stand provides plenty of room for experimentation. Here you can add a hob and even a hood on top, a washing machine, an oven, a dishwasher and a sink. But the placement of the latter remains a controversial decision, since there is a risk that there will be drops on the floor around, which is dangerous.

A mini-refrigerator for drinks and several rails for storing glasses can be built into such an island.

Bar chairs

Without chairs, the bar counter can only be used as a zoning element or a work area. Bar stools are always quite high, this is due to the height of the tabletop itself - about 110–125 cm.

There are several points to consider when choosing:

If the kitchen is spacious, you can afford any chair. If it is small, for example, in a Khrushchev building, then it is better to choose models with one leg.
In a very small kitchen, folding chairs will take root; they can be put away outside the meal - they will not take up precious space.
A footrest is required , and everything else is optional - backrests or armrests. If the seat is too hard, you can add a special pillow.
Before buying, you need to do a test drive - climb on and off the chair, and sit for a while. If it is difficult to climb onto it, then you can look for models with adjustable seat height.

Backlight

Counter lighting is especially important if it will be used as a dining or work area.

Lighting can be organized in several ways:

build into the ceiling along the perimeter of the rack;
run under the table top, along its end or on the outside of the base;
choose pendants with a long cord.

Lighting will also serve as a zoning function.

Bar pipe

Usually it comes as a component to the rack, but if desired, it can be purchased separately. This is a very stylish and multifunctional piece of furniture. It can be of a certain height with a console at the end or rest against the floor.

Most often, the pole is equipped with shelves, baskets or simply holders for glasses or other dishes and kitchen utensils. If the ceilings are low, then it is better to choose a pylon with a console at the end, since otherwise there is a risk of emphasizing the height of the walls and reducing it.

The most common material for making pipes is metal. It can be nickel, brass or stainless steel. For a classic interior, a bar pipe is also made of wood, decorating it with carvings.

Consoles

If you choose a massive closed-type stand, then it is possible to decorate the consoles. Of course, it is more convenient to make drawers and shelves on the kitchen side, while the opposite side gives real scope for imagination. How it can be sheathed:

stone cladding - looks luxurious and stylish, suitable for a classic interior;

MDF sheets to match the furniture facades - will create harmony and a feeling of a single space in the kitchen;
brick imitation - will look good in a loft or country style kitchen, but requires careful care;
impact resistant glass - an original version, but for a better effect it is worth illuminating it. If you don’t want the contents of the shelves to be visible through it, then you should give preference to frosted glass;

skinali - another glass option, but this time decorated with a drawing or photo print. If you choose a three-dimensional pattern, you can visually enlarge the kitchen and give it style;
aquarium - yes, this happens. Such a solution will immediately become the center of the room, an art object and a real interior decoration. It is not necessary to choose an aquarium with fish; you can also prefer dry options with sand, shells, corals and beautiful stones. You can even create a mini-jungle - just what you need for a city apartment;
mosaic is a stylish and bright kitchen decor that opens up space for imagination. You can depict a specific drawing or create an abstract composition. But it is worth considering that mosaic is a heavy material that will require a strong base and good glue;
painting is another way to create a work of art in the kitchen. It is important to ensure that the colors of the design and the kitchen should be combined and not discordant.

Additionally

The bar counter is still associated with cocktails and various drinks, creating an atmosphere of lightness and ease. A smart move would be to equip it with accessories to match the theme:

glass holders;
shaker;
bottle holder;
blender;
fruit bowl:
juicer;
ice bucket.

To this list you can add more specific details like a rimmer, geyser, stayr, muddler - devices that make it easier to prepare a cocktail. Such accessories will add originality and special flavor to the kitchen - you can invite friends to a real cocktail party.

Deciding on the style of the headset

The appearance of the bar counter - shape, size, color and even material - will depend on the style of the headset. Ideally, all furniture will be sold as a set or made to order as a set. If this is not possible, then it is worth taking a closer look at the most externally similar specimens.

Let's look at the most popular styles for kitchen decoration and their features.

Classic

Symmetry and elegance are two words that come to mind when talking about classic interior style. Classic is a balance between decor and utilitarianism; there is no riot of colors or contrasts, and the furniture is made in calm, muted colors.

A classic interior should show all the luxury and high cost by its appearance alone, so exclusively natural materials are used:

the corner set itself is made of solid light wood and has smooth lines;
The tabletop, both the set and the bar counter, can be made of stone or wood.

A distinctive feature of the furniture can be called luxurious decor:

gilding;
stucco;
bronze

The color scheme should also be noble: milky, brown, beige. If you want to make the interior more interesting, you can add red textiles. But it is important not to overdo it, since the kitchen should look conservative and strict - this also applies to the bar counter.

Country

Country style (this is the second name for country) is rarely seen in city apartments - after all, it looks much more appropriate in country houses. His motto can be called: naturalness and beauty without unnecessary pretentiousness.

The most important task of such an interior is to create a relaxing atmosphere of simplicity. Here again natural materials are used, most often wood. Plastic is completely excluded.

Popular colors:

warm brown;
green;
beige;
light blue/blue;
ginger.

High tech

This is a modern style with a touch of futurism, so it is especially important here to choose a bar counter that matches the set, otherwise it will look like an ordinary clumsy and inappropriate spot.

The materials often used are glossy plastic (acrylic is best), glass, metal - it is important to get maximum shine from the furniture. Particular attention is paid to technology: it must be as modern and multifunctional as possible.

The following two combinations can be called distinctive features of high-tech:

metallic shades with bright and cool tones;
straight lines and minimalism.

The color scheme is quite varied: metallic, white, black, gray, indigo, red, orange.

Modern

In modern style there simply must be a bar counter. The characteristics of this style are both simple and complex: combine the incongruous. Suitable even for medium or small kitchens.

It is best to choose a bar counter from one of the following materials:

metal;
strained glass;
plastic with imitation stone or natural wood.

It is important to make the bar counter the highlight of the entire kitchen. Here, one of its main functions is decorative; it should look luxurious, so modernism is suitable only for people with good taste.

Minimalism

The whole essence of minimalism lies in its name: here you should avoid not only an excess of decor, but even technology - they specifically select the most modern built-in options that can be hidden behind the facades.

The corner set is chosen to be laconic and simple, and is made in a single color scheme. Open shelves are not allowed: equipment and utensils are hidden behind the facades.

The tabletop is chosen from chromed metal, glossy plastic, glass or stone. It is advisable to convey a slightly cold atmosphere.

Provence

The bar counter will also look great in a kitchen in the style of a French village. Initially, all materials in such an interior should be natural, but you can get by with a good imitation. For example, the tabletop of the counter is made of plastic “dark wood”.

Loft

It seems that the bar counter was literally created for the loft style.

In such an interior it is necessary to create deliberate negligence:

textured painting with brush marks;
untreated wood;
brickwork on the wall;
the most unexpected combinations of materials in decoration and furniture.

The main requirements for the furniture and bar counter are light colors. The material fades into the background and is of little importance.

Design errors

It should also be said about the mistakes that can be made when designing a bar counter, which will help create a lot of inconvenience.

Poorly thought out location. It is worth making sure that there is free access to the furniture, and at the same time it does not block the passage. It is best to avoid layouts near the entrance, sink or refrigerator.
Inconvenient to use. Decor is good, but it is important not to forget about convenience. If you heavily decorate or curtain the base with rails and shelves, there is a risk that there will be no room left for your feet. There will be a feeling of clutter in the kitchen, which is not at all welcome, especially in a small room.
Wrong shape. It is necessary to take into account that the shape of the stand should be duplicated in the interior. If the set has strict lines, then the tabletop should be rectangular. If you want to make it oval or semicircular, you should think about where these lines can be repeated. This could be a suspended ceiling, a pattern on tiles or curtains.

What is the price?

Thanks to the growing popularity of such a piece of furniture, prices for bar counters have decreased, but their spread is still quite wide.

An excellent option for an economy class counter is to assemble the furniture yourself.

For example, the counter itself - a metal support - costs from one thousand rubles, a bar tabletop - from three thousand rubles. As a result, it turns out that for 4 thousand you can buy a simple replacement for the dining table.

Many factors influence how much the final product will cost:

brand;
country of origin;
size;
base and tabletop material;
amount of decor - for example, wood carvings;
functionality - the ability to integrate equipment or simply have storage space.

For example, the cost of this bar table is over 40 thousand rubles.

There is an option that is somewhat simpler, but also four times cheaper - 9,200 rubles.

On average, a stand will cost 20–40 thousand rubles. But there are also much more expensive options. For example, the next copy will cost almost 100,000 rubles. Designer models of bar counters will cost even more.

IKEA offers a lot of ideas for inspiration - every second kitchen in their interiors has a bar counter, either free-standing or combined with a work area. The minimum cost of a bar table is 9,500 rubles, but the company itself has offered options for making a homemade stand from a leg and a table top - it turns out to be much more budget-friendly.

Dimensions of transforming bar counters

As is the case with determining the type of bar counter, there are no clear standards regarding their geometric parameters. In most cases, they are determined by the available space, overall design, type, personal preference and the purposes for which they will be preferably used.

The size of bar counters is individual and everyone chooses them for themselves.

Most often, the height of a stationary bar countertop ranges from 110 to 120 cm, but such models also require special chairs with a seat height of 60 to 65 cm. Therefore, transformable models are usually made with a height of about 90 cm or equal to the height of the remaining modules of the kitchen unit.

The size of a regular bar counter differs from the transformer model.

The width of the tabletop depends on the design of other furniture modules and is usually 30–35 cm. If you plan to use the stand as a replacement for a dining table, the width can be increased to 80 cm.

The length can vary widely. The only recommendation is to distribute free space at the rate of 60 cm per seated person.

Important! It is necessary to ensure that a distance of 25 cm is maintained from a support, wall or feet of seated people.

Bar counters are often part of a modern kitchen.

Unusual solutions

Since the bar counter often becomes the central piece of the kitchen, housewives try to attract even more attention to it and make it original.

The loft style allows you to add the most exclusivity to the interior. Here you can often find racks made of foam blocks, lids, plywood, logs and other available materials.

Creative options are also found in other interiors. People are instinctively drawn to water, so stands with an aquarium and even in the shape of a ship are not uncommon. Such models will look great in Mediterranean design.

In more classic interiors, you can focus on functionality and, for example, combine a counter with a fireplace. If desired, you can decorate it in an antique style and make the chairs leather.

At the bar construction site, the countertops were finished with natural stone.

In modern styles, you can afford a complete riot of unusual design ideas. The trend for 2021 and 2021 is the interactive bar counter. Glass is placed on the tabletop, to which LED light bulbs are connected. Contact models can respond to touch. The process can be seen in the following video.

Interactive bar counter I-Bar

A few more options for unusual bar counters in a modern style in kitchens combined with a living room.

Use a bar pipe

Have you ever noticed that strange-looking metal pipes are often installed on bar counters in cafes? This is the so-called bar pipe.

The stand with a pipe looks very attractive

Initially, it was installed to hang brackets on it, onto which various types of barware were secured or even bottles of wine were installed. Over time, it often began to serve simply a decorative function - many believe that this is an invariable attribute of any bar.

We recommend turning to its original functionality - it is not only beautiful, but also convenient.

True, there is one important nuance - in a small kitchen with low ceilings, such a design will further reduce the space.

Self-installation

The complexity of installing a bar counter depends on its design. It is easiest to build free-standing models, for example, wall or island.

If we are talking about racks standing by the window or continuing the headset, a specialist is usually invited to carry out the installation. This is due to the fact that the installation must be very precise and level.

Another important factor is the foundation. If the stand stands on one support leg, then even a beginner without experience can handle the installation: the whole task is to attach it to the floor. If cabinets and drawers are hidden there, and soon household appliances will appear in general, it is better, again, to entrust the matter to a professional.

Some craftsmen even make the entire stand with their own hands. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this process, since the furniture consists of only two parts - the base and the tabletop. But the degree of beauty of the resulting object greatly depends on the level of skill of the specialist.

How to install a bar counter

Assembly and installation of any style of bar counter in the kitchen, as a rule, does not require specific skills, although there are still several recommendations.

Do not install it in a way that disrupts the kitchen triangle (sink, refrigerator, stove).
Consider the type and location of lighting at the design selection stage.
Take care of strength and stability. The tabletop must be securely fastened.
Do not overload the bar counter with unnecessary elements, even if they seem like practical organizers.

If possible, think through the entire kitchen design at once. This will help you choose the right furniture, including the bar counter.

If desired, you can equip this type of rack with various railings, holders for glasses, glasses, mugs, and metal mesh shelves.

When choosing this piece of furniture, do not forget that, first of all, it should be functional, and only then a design element. Consider all the features of your kitchen and our advice. And may your choice please you.

A transforming bar counter will be a pleasant functional bonus to any kitchen interior, combining elegance and simplicity of design.