Kitchen with a bar counter: interior design options, design ideas, photos
Content:
- Layout of a suite with a bar counter
- Types of modern bar counters
- Shapes of bar counters
- Design features
- Material
- Options for the location of the bar counter in the kitchen
A kitchen with a bar counter is a design solution that previously could only be seen in fashion interior magazines. Gradually, bar counters began to appear in the apartments of Russians, but many, out of habit, considered them an attribute of luxury, from which there was no particular benefit. However, over time it became clear that such furniture is much more comfortable and functional than it might seem. The bar counter does not take up much space, can be easily attached to the kitchen unit, and you can drink coffee, work, or have a snack at it if you don’t have time to set the dining table. A kitchen space with a counter and bar stools always looks cozy and even festive. It remains to figure out how to decorate the interior using a bar counter, where to place it in the kitchen and which model to give preference to.
Layout suite with bar counter
There is an opinion that bar counters are too massive for small kitchens. On the contrary, in a compact room, a rack allows you to correctly distribute space and highlight individual zones. Creating a comfortable and functional interior largely depends on the layout of the kitchen unit, which can be as follows:
- U-shaped kitchen with bar counter. If the shape of the set resembles the letter P, it is better to use the part of the structure facing the window or living area for the bar counter. The idea is that guests seated at the counter have the opportunity to communicate with the hosts preparing dinner. To prevent the work surface from seeming too large, you should use two different materials in different colors when decorating it. The bar counter of increased height, as well as the multi-level design, also look advantageous - guests will not remain indifferent to such an original design.
- L-shaped kitchen. If the kitchen set is located along two adjacent walls in the shape of an L, the bar counter is usually attached to the countertop. As a result, a single canvas is formed that looks quite harmonious. The material of the countertop should be in harmony with the rest of the kitchen furniture, and if the bar counter is raised above the main surface, a combination of materials, for example, two types of wood, would be a good choice.
- Kitchen with island. If space allows, it makes sense to equip a separate island with a bar counter in the center. An island bar, the surface of which is usually made of expensive materials - wood, porcelain stoneware, natural stone, sets a special style in the room. The lower part of the bar counter can be turned into a spacious place for storing dishes, alcoholic drinks, jars of spices and various little things that decorate everyday life.
Owners of compact kitchens will certainly appreciate the benefits of a mini bar counter. The design is up to a meter long - ideal for small apartments and studios inhabited by one person. To save space as much as possible, it is worth making the bar counter folding or retractable. Transformable bar counters are also good, which, if necessary, turn into a dining table, a small folding table or a spacious bedside table.
Types of modern bar counters
The design of the bar counter is quite simple - in fact, it is a high tabletop with one support. However, commercially available or custom-made models may differ significantly in shape, size, functionality, and material of manufacture. Here are the main types of classification of bar counters.
Shapes of bar counters
Perhaps the most common shape of bar counters is straight. This option is optimal for both free-standing structures and models that are an extension of the kitchen countertop. If the kitchen set is located along one wall, the bar area, as a rule, is located perpendicularly.
You can bring a touch of airiness to the room with the help of a rounded bar counter. The advantages of semicircular and oval racks are the ability to accommodate a large number of people and an original appearance.
A corner bar counter will fit perfectly into a small room. It can be placed along the wall or combined with a window sill, and bar stools should be pushed under the counter to save space. Such racks often have internal contents: rails, drawers, shelves. Sometimes even cooktops and other household appliances are built into the surfaces of bar counters.
Design features
Depending on the design features, the following modifications of bar counters are distinguished:
- Classic. Such kitchen furniture elements are suitable for large spaces. They do not connect to the wall, so they are usually placed in the center. Classic-type bars fill empty space, add harmony to the space, and, if necessary, replace the dining group.
- Bar counters built into the furniture set. They are usually short in length; the extension of the worktop can be folded out or pulled out. If the kitchen unit model allows you to attach a bar counter, this option is worth considering.
- Attached models are one of the most successful solutions for compact kitchens. Externally, the extension rack looks like a tabletop, which on one side rests on the wall and on the other is supported by a support leg. Such furniture can be positioned in two ways: perpendicular to the supporting structure or along the wall. The last option will be appreciated by the owners of an apartment with a narrow kitchen.
- Removable bar counters. These are a kind of mobile tables - thanks to their small size and the presence of wheels, they can be easily moved to another place.
- Bar counters-partitions. A bar that simultaneously functions as a partition is a worthy alternative to plasterboard walls, screens, shelving and other structures used for zoning. This design technique can often be found in living rooms combined with a kitchen. And with the help of a bar-partition you can separate the work area from the relaxation area with a TV and upholstered furniture: just stretch a long counter perpendicular to the wall.
Fans of creative ideas will certainly like the bar counter, which consists of several levels. A multi-level bar can be either a superstructure above the main tabletop, or a prefabricated modular structure consisting of several tabletops and shelves. When buying or ordering such a model, you need to take into account that for the superstructure bar you will need higher bar stools. One more point: such designs are quite cumbersome, so they do not fit into the interiors of small-sized kitchens.
Material
The materials used to make furniture can be metal, natural and artificial stone, MDF, wood, and plastic. As a rule, the frame and tabletop are made of different materials, however, monolithic products, for example, made of porcelain stoneware, look very stylish. For kitchens decorated in one of the modern styles, you can even use materials that are non-standard for furniture, such as concrete and artificial brick.
Options for the location of the bar counter in the kitchen
The choice of location for the bar counter is influenced by the area and nuances of the room layout, the purpose of the furniture - family gatherings, receiving guests, features of the furniture. As an example, it is worth giving a few ideas for the location of a bar in the kitchen.
By the window
In many apartments, the window sill is given a secondary role - utensils that do not have a place in the closets are placed on it. Of course, it’s difficult to talk about attractive design in this case. But the window sill can be completely transformed by turning it into a bar counter.
This technique allows you to free up space and save on purchasing a separate table for snacks. In addition, there is always light near the window, so the owners can not only drink coffee while enjoying the view outside the window, but also engage in their favorite hobbies: reading, knitting, drawing. If the lower part of the window opening is located higher than in the standard version, there is room for additional storage containers under the tabletop.
Along the wall
Installing a bar counter along one of the walls is advisable if there is a shortage of square meters in the kitchen. The color of the tabletop in this case should match the color design of the wall: the furniture will seem to dissolve in the space, adding light and volume to it. To illuminate the bar area, it is recommended to use devices with soft diffused light.
In the center
If there is a lot of free space in the kitchen, it is difficult to come up with a better option than an island bar counter. Firstly, the island, which immediately attracts attention, becomes the highlight of the kitchen interior. Secondly, you can approach it from any direction. Thirdly, a spacious bar, located in the center, will hospitably accommodate both family members and their friends who have dropped in for a quick break. An island stand can become both a zoning element and a bright accent - it all depends on the needs and imagination of the owners.
In the corner
Corner racks do a great job of dividing space, they also help fill voids and provide additional storage sections. In addition, the bar located in the corner creates a feeling of privacy: it is a very pleasant place to sit with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
To make the bar stand sparkle, you should decorate it with cute accessories: geysers for smooth pouring of drinks, pestles for grinding fruits, whisks, sets of multi-colored cocktail straws. But a bar pipe with brackets for dishes and bottles of wine is only appropriate in rooms with high ceilings, otherwise the kitchen will seem even lower.
In the Garda Decor store you can purchase bar stools and other designer furniture that will decorate your kitchen, as well as receive professional advice on interior design. The company's designers, who closely follow interior fashion trends, will be happy to help you plan a kitchen with a bar counter and develop a project for a comfortable kitchen space with a cozy atmosphere.