Bar counter appeared in the saloons of America - it was a high table separating the bartender from customers. Behind him sat on stools of increased height, drank, had a snack. Today, so-called various options for countertops, they can be of different heights and located in different places of the kitchen.
The functionality of the interior of a small kitchen with a breakfast bar
As a rule, in small kitchens it is quite difficult to allocate a special place for a dining group, and there is a need to quickly have breakfast or lunch in a hurry. This is where the bar counter comes in handy. She does not take up much space, sitting comfortably behind her. In addition, it is also an additional surface for cooking.
A standard rack - a table-top on a support. If space permits, a wide countertop can be laid on a pedestal so that the knees of people sitting next to it are placed. The photo shows a bar counter with a work surface and a sink built into it. This allows you to use the entire width of the rack when working, and organize a mini-dining area for two to three people.
In the interior of a small kitchen with a breakfast bar, the latter often serves as a space separator, which is important for studio apartments, when the kitchen and the living room are located in the same room.
Design of a small kitchen with a breakfast bar: accommodation options
The place for installing the rack is determined based on the size and shape of the room reserved for the kitchen.
- Perpendicularly. The bar table is attached to the main working area perpendicularly, forming in the plan a G- or U-shaped kitchen set. In small corner kitchens, the bar counter is sometimes the only option for conveniently combining a work and dining table. It can have a rounded or rectangular shape and separate the cooking place from the rest of the space.
- Parallel. In this embodiment, the bar island is located parallel to the kitchen.
- Windowsill. If the kitchen window offers a beautiful view, it makes sense to arrange a mini-dining area near the windowsill. It practically does not take a separate place and has multifunctionality. Depending on the shape of the room and the location of the window in a small kitchen, the bar counter is either perpendicular to the window opening, or along it, while usually the tabletop and window sill form a single unit.
- Along the wall. This option is used when they want to extend the working surface and at the same time get a place where you can drink coffee and, if necessary, have lunch, but there is no place for a perpendicular arrangement.
- Isle. In this case, the bar is located separately in the center of the room. The island can have any shape and separate the place of cooking from the rest of the space, in the case of combining the kitchen and the living room.
The interior of a small kitchen with a breakfast bar: examples
- Working surface. If there is not enough space for cooking, the most logical option is to use the rack as an additional work area.You can install it at an angle to the main, parallel to the working area or, if the room is elongated in length, make it a continuation.
- Plus a table. The bar counter can be combined with a regular table, if there is a place for such a design. Countertops in this case are at different heights.
- Plus a storage system. The bar counter is combined with a pedestal, which increases storage capabilities in a limited area. The curbstone can consist of open niches, closed drawer sections or drawers. Equipped with wheels, it can move freely around the kitchen.
Tip: A small kitchen with a breakfast bar, located in the same room as the living room or sitting area, will look isolated, remaining in total and not visually reducing the space.
Design a small kitchen with a breakfast bar: set accents
In a small room, it is inappropriate to use elaborate, complex forms, so that the kitchen does not look too simple, it is worth using decorative elements that emphasize the functional purpose.
For example, even in the smallest kitchen with a breakfast bar, you can place additional shelves or racks for glasses, beautiful tea utensils - they will serve as a kind of decoration.
Another way to emphasize a winning element of the situation and enhance its decorativeness is additional lighting. So, you can place decorative suspensions over the rack, or strengthen a number of directional lamps on the ceiling.
The interior of a small kitchen with a breakfast bar looks expensive and elegant, if its base is made of natural materials, for example, lay out a support bar made of brick, or made of wood, decorated with carvings - it all depends on the chosen style of kitchen design.
Since the bar itself is not so often found in kitchens, especially small ones, it is already its decoration. Additionally, you can enhance the effect by applying contrasting tones in its decoration.
Small kitchen with a breakfast bar: structural elements
In some cases, the placement of a stationary rack is difficult, it usually happens if the kitchen is uncomfortable or too small. But this is not a reason to abandon it at all. For such cases, special designs are provided that allow, without taking up much space, to take advantage of all the advantages of this piece of furniture.
- Foldable. Even a small free space near the wall can be used to place a bar there. In this case, it is mounted directly on the wall with hinges, and the base is foldable. This design is easy to assemble, and just as easily disassembled when it is not needed. It can also be attached to the windowsill.
- Retractable. This option is suitable for lovers of multifunctional furniture. It is more expensive, but also more effective. This photo of a small kitchen with a breakfast bar presents one of the options for such a retractable design. The base is equipped with a wheel, and when the tabletop is extended, it leaves the intended niche, taking its place.
Bar counter materials
As a rule, standard materials are used for decoration. Sometimes they may differ in color from the main furniture, if provided by design. For the manufacture of countertops, stone is used, both natural and artificial, coated chipboard, wood, or the surface is tiled.
The most popular in recent years has become a composite material that looks like marble, but is distinguished by its high density and strength, as well as lower cost. Korian is a plastic material, it is easy to obtain a product of almost any shape from it. This is especially convenient if you have to equip a small corner kitchen with a bar counter, stylish and modern.
The rounded shape of the countertop is not only beautiful, but also convenient, since in a small area, rich in furniture and appliances, protruding corners can cause bruises.Visually facilitate the design can be used as a material for countertops durable glass. The material for the base is selected based on the style of the kitchen and the selected type of rack.
Tip: Shelves for tea, coffee utensils and glasses can be placed above the bar counter, decorative objects - small vases, beautifully shaped bottles, candles. This will become an additional decorative accent of your interior.