How to choose and place a bar counter for a kitchen?

Now, in both modern and traditional types of interiors, many people put a bar counter in the kitchen - in a small room, it can replace a table, and in a spacious kitchen - to complement it. The bar counter has a lot of advantages and can be very convenient. If you are thinking about buying, in this article you will find recommendations for selection, possible colors and materials, as well as the features of placing a bar counter.

The design of the kitchen with a bar has its own characteristics. Such interiors can be very diverse - it all depends on your desires and needs. The bar counter unexpectedly successfully fits into a variety of interior styles and serves various purposes.

The choice should be based on whether you have a large kitchen or a small one, how often do you cook, how many people are in the family and what kind of layout you want. A kitchen with a breakfast bar can be suitable for a studio or for an ordinary apartment. The parameters of kitchens with a breakfast bar are as follows.

• One common option is headset with sink in the corner, on one side of which is the working area for cooking, and on the other side is a bar that can be used instead of a table. This is a convenient, simple and versatile option for both large and small kitchens. Depending on where you locate your kitchen, the working area may be larger or smaller.

• The bar counter can be quite small, combined with the working area - This model is suitable if your apartment is large enough, and in addition to the bar, there is another table. In this design, the rack is divided along - on the one hand you can sit and have a bite, and on the other hand they have a countertop. This option contributes to the competent zoning of the room and fits perfectly if you are planning to equip the kitchen-living room.

• Now in modern headsets under the bar they often make built-in appliances - it can be an oven, stove, refrigerator or dishwasher - everything that will be convenient for you. Built-in appliances have a lot of advantages - this approach allows you to maximize the use of all available space in your kitchen. In addition, for built-in appliances make the facades the same as for ordinary cabinets. This allows the whole kitchen to look whole, which is especially true for small rooms.

• The bar counter in some cases stands on its own and in general has nothing to do with the headset. It can be made of any material and placed parallel to the kitchen wall or at an angle.

• A variety of transformers are popular. - for example, in some headsets additional retractable countertops or folding bar counters are provided. It is also very convenient in confined spaces - you can only lay them out if necessary.

It should be borne in mind that in the headset, the rack and cabinets form a single whole. Sometimes it is important to visually separate them, but they must have some common elements. In addition, it is extremely important to take into account practical features - for example, between the bar counter and the headset there is sometimes a rather narrow passage, and the counter itself, as a table replacement, is convenient only for a small number of people.

Modern technologies allow you to create furniture for every taste - most often in stores they sell modular kitchens, in which parts can easily be changed from one to another, creating your own design. The exception is non-standard kitchens: for example, if you have a very small area. The kitchen is direct, angular, U-shaped or may consist of two headsets that run in parallel. In some parts, it happens without upper cabinets - this is characteristic of a large kitchen.

The kitchen consists of cabinets, drawers, open shelves - all this storage space depends on the size of the room. In modern headsets with a bar, they often use the built-in equipment - it is very convenient and beautiful. All kinds of transformers, folding tabletops, extendable work areas or parts of the kitchen on wheels are also popular - modern features will allow you to arrange the space conveniently for you in everything.

Many people fell in love with bar counters precisely because of their variety - their design can be no less varied than the design of the headset itself. Indeed, you can choose a model for every taste. Primarily, the bar counter is a fairly high narrow tabletop - it is either wall mounted or stands across the kitchen. What kind of bar counter will be in its parameters is up to you.

The size of the bar can be any. We are used to the fact that the bars in the bars are long, but this is not necessary in the design of the kitchen. For a small kitchen, equipped for a family of one or two people, the bar counter can be quite short - this is a mini option, like a small table.Most often, bar counters are made from 1 meter or more, but in many stores you can order a rack of the exact size you need, because its manufacture is very simple - it will not be difficult for the master to shorten the countertop.

The shape of the bar can also vary greatly between headsets. Most often it is a rectangle - this shape is simple and convenient, it is easy to put along the wall and provide maximum space saving and a wide passage. Nevertheless, the counter can bend in any direction and have a bizarre shape - if you have a lot of space in the room, you can consider a similar highlight in your kitchen interior design.

Sometimes the bar is fully retractable, and it is also very convenient - for example, if you have dinner with a larger company than usual, and not everyone had enough space at the table. In addition, such a rack can serve for a light snack during the day. The hinged bar counter has the same functions - this is also often done in headsets: when assembled, such a counter can be a worktop in the kitchen or just a more compact counter. Modern transformers are very varied and pleasing with their practicality and originality. For some types of interiors, a rotary transformer rack is well suited - it can be rotated in one direction or another, depending on your needs.

Sometimes the bar counter is used as practical as possible, placing boxes and shelves for storage under it. Indeed, this place can be successfully used if you do not have enough headset cabinets, however, sitting at the counter with solid cabinets at the bottom may not be very convenient. If the counter replaces your dining table, it’s worth making one or two small drawers under it. It is worth placing cabinets to the floor only if your space is an addition to a full dining table - then this solution will be convenient.

Bar counters in modern interiors can vary greatly in the material from which they are made. In many interiors, wood stands fit well. You can consider the dark wenge tree, red or light tree and even combine them together - this will give the interior environmental friendliness and allow you to feel like part of nature. Also, an artificial stone is often used to finish the bar counter - it can be matte, glossy, imitate marble or have any splashes and any color.

Consider the main features, advantages and disadvantages of each material.

• Solid wood is one of the most expensive materials, it will fit into many styles in the interior and with proper care will be very practical. You can choose a variety of options - wenge, mahogany or light, varnished or unprocessed, and you can also paint the wooden bar in any color. It is suitable for a wooden set in an environmentally friendly interior, but often goes well with other materials.

• Often bar counters are made of drywall - This is an inexpensive and quite practical option that fits well into any interior. Such a surface can be given any color and shape - it can look very stylish and beautiful.

• Glass option The bar counter is also sometimes found. This is not the most practical solution, because the glass easily gets dirty, but such racks look always excellent. The glass may be thin or thick, processed at the edges or in a metal or wooden frame.Unusual colored backlit glass may be suitable for modern interiors.

• Fake diamond It is also very convenient if you choose a high-quality version of acrylic. It can be given any color and texture; options with all kinds of inclusions or imitation of marble are popular. Acrylic stone is suitable for both modern and classic interior.

To choose a beautiful and suitable bar counter for your kitchen, you first need to decide on the style of your interior - this is what its design and color will depend on. There may be many options, consider some of them.

• The greatest variety can be noted in modern style: Racks made of any material are suitable for him. Sometimes gradient coloring, enamel coating or the addition of a bar counter are used. As for the shape, its design can also be anything - from a straight stand to a curved or round one. Colors should be selected depending on the interior. Deep shades of black, purple, warm gray, emerald, as well as natural wood tones are in fashion now.

• Country, chalet, Scandinavian or Provencal style mainly wooden racks are used. They look great and will allow you to feel like a part of nature without leaving the city. Racks of rough raw wood are especially popular now - they look very solid and stylish. Nevertheless, painted or varnished wood can also be interesting, do not be afraid to combine different natural wood shades. As for the shape, more often it is a direct stand, but occasionally they are curved.

• If you choose classic style or its variants, acrylic stone is best for you - it is lighter in weight and cheaper than natural stone, and you can make a stylish imitation of marble out of it. Such racks are made straight or round. A stand made of acrylic stone will look luxurious and create a festive atmosphere in the interior. As for the colors, these are mainly light colors - white, gray, pink and beige. Complex color combinations due to different inclusions are also possible.

• For hi-tech style a stand made of drywall, acrylic stone or glass may come up - sometimes the materials are interestingly combined and combined with each other. And the possible forms of such racks are extremely diverse. You can find the most unusual curved and round options, although in minimalistic versions, preference is given to a traditional straight narrow stand. If your interior is quite restrained, you can make a visual accent on the bar and paint it in bright catchy tones - orange, yellow, fuchsia, turquoise or scarlet. For light interiors, shades of gray and ocher tones are suitable. If your interior is in dark colors, consider complex composite colors: plum, deep blue, olive or reddish brown.

Models of possible bar counters are very diverse. First of all, when choosing a particular option, it is worth starting from the size of your room, as well as from its layout and the need for zoning. The kitchen can be rectangular, narrow and elongated or square - These features significantly affect the arrangement of furniture and the choice of the right headset with a bar counter - most often they are recommended to be purchased together.

For many, the kitchen occupies a relatively small room: owners of apartments in old houses and residents of new buildings may face such a problem. For the bar, the following solutions are suitable.

• Choose the brightest models if you have little space - pale shades visually help expand the space. In the interior you can use white, cream, pink, blue, light green and other shades - they should also be repeated in the color of the bar. If the kitchen is large, you can give preference to dark tones - for example, it can be black stone or dark wood.

• If you have a spacious kitchen, you can use both dark and bright colors. In this case, you do not need to choose too many different colors - make sure that the bar counter of the selected shade harmoniously fits into the interior. Even if you focus on it in the interior, it must somehow resonate with other furniture or accessories in order to be a harmonious part of the ensemble.

• For practical reasons. If you live alone, perhaps the narrowest bar counter, combined with a countertop, will suit you, and for the whole family the counter should be quite wide and large. When choosing, start from exactly what you need the rack for. For a full meal, it should be moderately broad and comfortable, and for light snacks there are fewer requirements.

• Pay attention to the materials from which the bar is made - it should organically fit into your space. One of the most popular materials for countertops and racks is now considered acrylic stone - it is quite versatile, it can be successfully painted in any desired color and given the desired texture. Nevertheless, it is also worth considering plastic, wood, and ceramic tiles.

• Consider the convenience of cleaning the room. On glossy and glass surfaces, fingerprints often remain, which spoil the appearance of the stand and headset. It is also better to avoid pure white, replacing it with more complex pastel shades. White surfaces get dirty very quickly, and in the kitchen it is especially inconvenient.

• If you have a small kitchen and you want it to look as a whole, it is better to purchase all the furniture from one manufacturer, including a bar counter. Usually, the furniture that comes with the set has already thought out uniform style decisions, and all of it goes well with each other. At the same time, you can enter a new counter into the finished kitchen design - for example, if you decide to replace the dining table with it.

It is very important to use the space efficiently in furniture placement - this is especially true for small kitchens, but it is also important for spacious rooms. In a large kitchen, it is important to competently zone the space - this can be done with the help of differences in decoration, lighting or color of furniture, the border can go in the middle or divide the room into unequal parts.

Bar counters are free-standing or combined with a kitchen set in the apartment. The latter option is suitable for typical rooms - for example, in modern standard apartments, corner or U-shaped headsets with a bar counter usually fit perfectly - they look like a single array and are good in any room. However, in studios or in rooms with a non-standard layout, you can often find freestanding bar counters - this solution gives you freedom in placement - you can try different options. However, very often even a separate stand is placed close to the headset and moved with it - this allows you to make the space integral.

If you have a small area in the kitchen, its layout will be especially important. It is most convenient to think over a design project for a rectangular kitchen.This arrangement leaves a lot of possibilities to vary kitchen sets and rack layout - you can choose a direct, angular, or even an island suite with a bar counter - it all depends on how many cabinets you need, what shelves, what size the refrigerator will be and how much space you need to cook. The rack itself is often placed near the window - this is a beautiful, convenient and practical arrangement. In a large kitchen, a set and a long counter can occupy the entire space or combine with the living room or dining room.

If you have a square kitchen in your home, you can turn it into a rectangular kitchen using a direct kitchen set. This shape is more harmonious and convenient in terms of location. The bar counter can be placed along the opposite wall or at an angle to your headset. In these cases, you will have a lot of free space both for a pleasant meal and for cooking. Such layout options will be optimal even for a large family. In a large square kitchen, you can try to place a bar counter around the perimeter, placing chairs along the walls - this is an interesting option for any style in the interior.

Usually a narrow kitchen becomes a design problem. For convenience, it is also worth trying to bring to the classic rectangle. A good solution would be a corner kitchen set and a corner bar counter located at opposite ends from each other. Also, in a large narrow kitchen, you can consider two parallel headsets that will run along short walls, and along the long wall you can place the bar itself - straight or curved in interesting shapes.

In small studios, the issue of saving space in the kitchen is also very important. The bar counter in this case is very successful in serving for zoning the space, allowing you to separate the kitchen area directly from the living room. The headset can be straight or angular. This also applies to the combined kitchen-living room.

When placing furniture, consider its color and texture. For example, matte and glossy materials do not always look good together, however, they are perfect if you zone the space - for example, the kitchen itself can be glossy, and the dining area can be matte. Also, if you need to visually expand the space, you should use cold shades in the back of the room, and warmer ones when entering. Do not try to combine too many colors and textures at once in a small space - there should be no more than two primary colors.

In interior design, the most important thing is to find successful color combinations and correctly place furniture. If you doubt the arrangement of your kitchen with a bar counter, pay attention to the work of professional designers - they will inspire you for your project.

• A small freestanding bar counter fits well into the laconic interior and is suitable for a family of one or two people. If you have a living room with a dining table, or you just rarely have dinner at home, this option may also be quite reasonable. The bar counter design is very modern and interesting - it is built on an extraordinary geometric shape and combines two materials: wood and plastic.

• In a stylish and bright Scandinavian-style kitchen, the bar counter is a direct continuation of the headset and looks very beautiful. There are lockers under it, but part of the space is left empty to make it comfortable to sit. This option is very beautiful and practical, not only for small, but also for a spacious kitchen, if you want to leave maximum free space.Pay attention to an interesting combination of different textures of materials - white gloss reflects light and fills the room with light, and pale wood creates an environmentally friendly atmosphere in the interior.

• The bar counter can perfectly serve for zoning the space in the studio apartment - on one side of it there will be a kitchen area, and on the other - a living area. The bar counter represents a physical border, therefore, even if you decide to withstand the entire interior of the studio in a single color scheme, zoning will still be successful. The laconic interior looks good thanks to its complex colors - a milky shade of white and a cold brown are used in the bar counter - these colors are repeated in other elements of furniture and textiles.

• A bar counter by the window is a pleasant stylistic decision that interior designers are very fond of. This is especially suitable if you have a beautiful view from the window - it will certainly be pleasant to have breakfast and look out the window. In addition, this solution significantly saves space, since it allows you to directly press the bar counter against the wall. The solution is perfect for a narrow or square kitchen in a modern style.

See how to make a bar counter for a kitchen with your own hands in the video below.