Design of a small kitchen with a bar

Bar counter appeared in the saloons of America - it was a high table separating the bartender from the customers. Behind him they sat on stools of increased height, drank and ate. Nowadays, this is the name for various options for countertops, they can be of different heights and located in different places in the kitchen.

The functionality of the interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter

As a rule, in small kitchens it is rather difficult to allocate a special place for a dining group, and there is a need for a quick breakfast or a quick lunch. This is where the bar comes in handy. It does not take up much space, it is comfortable to sit behind it. In addition, it is also an additional surface for cooking.

The standard stand is a table top with a support. If space permits, a wide tabletop can be laid on a curbstone so that the knees of people sitting next to it fit under it. The photo shows a bar counter with a work surface and a sink built into it. This allows you to use the full 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 bar, the latter often acts as a space divider, which is important for studio apartments, when the kitchen and living room are located in the same room.

Design of a small kitchen with a bar counter: placement options

The place for installing the rack is determined based on the size and shape of the room set aside for the kitchen.

• Perpendicular. The bar table is attached to the main working area perpendicularly, forming an L- or U-shaped kitchen set in plan. In small corner kitchens, the bar counter sometimes becomes the only option for conveniently combining a work and dining table. It can be round or rectangular and separate the cooking area from the rest of the space.

• Parallel. In this embodiment, the bar island is located parallel to the kitchen unit.

• Window sill. If a beautiful view opens from the kitchen window, it makes sense to arrange a mini-dining area near the windowsill. It practically does not take up a separate place and has versatility. Depending on the shape of the room and the location of the window in a small kitchen, the bar counter is located either perpendicular to the window opening, or along it, while usually the tabletop and the window sill form a single whole.

• Along the wall. This option is used when they want to extend the work surface and get at the same time a place where you can drink coffee and, if necessary, have lunch, but there is no place for a perpendicular arrangement.

• Island. In this case, the bar is located separately in the center of the room.The island can be of any shape and can separate the cooking area from the rest of the space, in the case of combining the kitchen and living room.

The interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter: examples

• Working surface. If there is not enough space for cooking, the most logical option is to use the counter as an additional work area. It can be installed at an angle to the main one, parallel to the working area, or, if the room is elongated, make it a continuation.

• Plus a table. The bar counter can be combined with a regular table, if there is room for such a design. In this case, the tabletops are at different heights.

• Plus a storage system. The bar counter is combined with a curbstone, which increases storage possibilities in a limited area. The curbstone can consist of open niches, closed drawers or drawers. Equipped with castors, it can move freely around the kitchen.

Advice: A small kitchen with a bar counter, located in the same room as the living room or sitting area, will look isolated, remaining in the overall volume and not visually reducing the space.

Design of a small kitchen with a bar counter: placing accents

In a small room, the use of pretentious, complex shapes is inappropriate, therefore, 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 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 decor and enhance its decorative effect is additional lighting. So, you can place decorative pendants above the counter, or fix a number of directional lamps on the ceiling.

The interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter looks expensive and elegant if its base is made of natural materials, for example, a supporting counter is laid out of brick, or it is made of wood, decorated with carvings - it all depends on the chosen style of kitchen decoration.

Since the bar counter itself is not so common in kitchens, especially small ones, it is already a decoration of it. Additionally, you can enhance the effect by applying contrasting tones in its decoration.

Small kitchen with a bar counter: structural elements

In some cases, the placement of a stationary rack is difficult, this usually happens if the kitchen area is uncomfortable or too small. But this is not a reason to abandon it altogether. For such cases, special designs are provided that will allow, without taking up much space, to enjoy all the advantages of this piece of furniture.

• Foldable. Even a small free space near the wall can be used to place a bar counter there. In this case, it is attached directly to the wall on hinges, and the base is made foldable. This design is easy to assemble, and just as easy to disassemble when 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 bar counter shows one of the options for such a retractable design. The base is equipped with a wheel, and when the table top is pulled out, it leaves the provided niche, taking its place.

Materials for making a bar counter

As a rule, standard materials are used for finishing. Sometimes they can differ in color from the main furniture, if this is provided for by the design. For the manufacture of countertops, stone is used, both natural and artificial, coated chipboard, wood, or the surface is laid out with tiles.

The most popular in recent years has become a composite material, which looks like marble, but is distinguished by its high density and strength, as well as a lower price.Corian is a plastic material, from which it is easy to get a product of almost any shape. This is especially convenient if you have to equip a small corner kitchen with a stylish and modern bar counter.

The rounded shape of the tabletop is not only beautiful, but also convenient, since in a small area, also saturated with furniture and appliances, protruding corners can cause bruises. The use of durable glass as a material for the table top can visually facilitate the structure. The material for the base is selected based on the design style of the kitchen and the selected type of rack.

Advice: Above the bar you can place shelves for tea, coffee utensils and glasses, decorative items - small vases, beautifully shaped bottles, candles. This will become an additional decorative accent for your interior.