Kitchen-living room with bar counter: original ideas for the interior

Advantages and disadvantages

Why are bar counters so loved by designers and ordinary customers? Because of the huge number of benefits.

1. Compact and space saving. Of course, you can’t arrange a three-course dinner for five people at the bar, but most often in an ordinary apartment this is not required. The narrow, elongated tabletop is perfect for having breakfast, a snack or a quick lunch with the whole family. This type of furniture is best suited for 1-2 people.
2. Versatility. The word “bar” in the name of the counter no longer reflects its functionality, since this piece of furniture can be used in almost any way: for eating, as a work surface, for storage, and so on. To make the countertop truly multifunctional, it is better to choose two-tier options.

3. Zoning. Creating a visual boundary between two areas (dining and dining/living room) will be appreciated by owners of studios or kitchen-living rooms. If you approach the issue correctly, then you can use every centimeter of space as efficiently as possible (we wrote more about zoning using a bar counter in a kitchen combined with a dining room or living room here >>>).
4. Manifold. Now there are so many different models of furniture on the market that finding the perfect option for yourself is not difficult at all.

The bar counter has no drawbacks as such. Rather, these factors can be called limitations that should not be forgotten. Such nuances can be called:

1. Not for any kitchen. It’s rare, but there are kitchens where a bar counter simply doesn’t fit - most often we’re talking about narrow and long rooms. If you put a stand there, you won’t be able to get around it. For this reason, it is so important to think through the layout of a corner kitchen with a bar counter in advance, so that it does not turn out to be an obstacle later.
2. Limitation. This is again about a three-course feast for five people - this is simply impossible at a bar table. If there is a need for such dinners, then a separate dining table is simply necessary - but because of it it is not at all necessary to give up the counter.
3. The problem is in the details. Perhaps the owners have nothing against the bar counters themselves, but not everyone will like the chairs under them - they are much higher than the usual seats. This height may be inconvenient for children or elderly parents. And this problem can be solved - the bar tabletop can be lowered to the level of a regular table.

What is the purpose of the bar counter?

Depending on the intended functionality, the bar counter can become:

• replacing a classic dining table in a small kitchen;
• an additional area for storing kitchen utensils, if you equip the area with additional niches and shelves;
• a cozy corner for breakfast, a snack or a light dinner with a glass of wine;
• an element of space zoning, if we are talking about a kitchen-living room or a studio apartment;
• additional work surface while preparing food;
• a stylish element of the interior that will emphasize the uniqueness of the design and taste of the owners.

Original ideas for arranging bar counters

Arranging bar counters often becomes an opportunity to change any interior by adding a special twist to it. For example, such interior elements include the “bow” of a sea vessel, round “spaceships” and much more. You can find a wide variety of such ideas - it all depends on your imagination and stylistic direction, although there is always room for experimentation and eclecticism. Mixing styles is becoming an increasingly popular solution. But in the case of decorating a kitchen space, this is only possible when combined with other functional areas - a living room, a dining room, perhaps an office or a playroom.

For the interior of a corner kitchen, sometimes combined designs are chosen - these are small round tables attached to the bar counter, and peninsular parts of the set. Such a detail is called two-level, although it can be more diverse.

Often in photographs you can see even in a small kitchen a bar counter that rests on a metal pipe, which also serves as the basis for installing other containers and holders. Such a detail will become not only a functional, but also a decorative component of the corner kitchen interior. Fruit baskets, glass holders, and metal shelves for various utensils are usually placed here.

In fact, only the shape of the bar counter can be original, and kitchen sets usually look pretty standard in all their variations. The semicircular tabletop of such an element looks stylish. It does not matter whether it rests on the wall or is a continuation of the work surface. As a rule, cast countertops look more stylish and sophisticated, although free-standing counters serve both as a zoning tool and as an addition to the existing set.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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 counters and their varieties

Modern manufacturers offer a variety of options for bar counters for arranging corner kitchens. Choosing the most suitable design for a specific interior is not difficult.

A bar counter with a leg is an excellent option that is very popular. Such a stand looks light and weightless, the space under it remains completely free, due to which this effect occurs.

The structure is supported by one or two thin chrome-plated legs. Often they install one long pipe that reaches the ceiling, to which the countertop is attached. On such a pipe you can place metal fasteners for glasses and other objects.

Even with the most comfortable counter, it is desirable to have a dining table - for gathering friends and having a comfortable dinner.

Bar counter with a base - under the tabletop there is a full-fledged, solid base, thanks to which the entire structure looks very solid and solid. Most often, such bar counters are installed in large kitchens.

Under their countertops there are often compartments for storing kitchen utensils. If desired, such a rack can be organized in the form of a separate island, which does not depend on the corner set.

Additional storage space for dishes or food will always come in handy.

Semicircular bar counter - this option should be chosen if the bar counter needs to replace a full-fledged dining table. For a spacious room, a sufficiently large structure that can accommodate a larger number of people is suitable.

The semicircular bar counter looks very original and stylish, but it is not suitable for use in a small kitchen.

Thanks to modern materials, we can create furniture of any shape, without straight lines and angles.

Two-tier bar counter - this design is ideal if there are children or elderly people in the house who find it inconvenient to sit behind a regular counter of standard height. This option involves installing two tabletops of different levels, which will be located on different sides of the center of the tabletop.

One option is to simply add a higher level to a standard-height dining table to act as a bar counter. Thus, the whole family will be able to get together, each choosing the most convenient place for themselves.

When several generations of a family live in a house, you need to find compromises and convenient solutions for everyone.

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.

Corner kitchens with mini bar counter ↑

If your kitchen is not particularly spacious, this is not a reason to deny yourself the pleasure of equipping it with a cozy bar area. Just the opposite. With the right approach, a corner kitchen set with a bar counter can be unobtrusively “fitted” into the most modest space, where it not only will not interfere, but will also serve well, taking on the honorable role of a dining table or an additional work surface.

The lightweight design of the bar counter for a small corner kitchen is suitable for both small kitchens and studio apartments

Of course, you will have to give up a classic stand with professional “stuffing,” but an elegant and ergonomic mini stand will be just right! A high or level worktop tabletop without upper and lower cabinets on a chrome leg or with full-fledged functional wood with hanging elements, organically continuing the corner kitchen set - a practical, stylish solution for a small kitchen.

With the right approach, a corner kitchen set with a bar counter can be unobtrusively “fitted” into the most modest space

In this case, the bar counter can completely replace the dining table, which often turns out to be too bulky for a small kitchen. The option of replacing the dining table with a bar counter is quite acceptable for a young family in which there are no children or elderly people who would find it uncomfortable and unsafe to sit on high bar stools or stools. By the way, chairs and stools can be hidden under the counter to save space.

Shape and configuration

We have a fairly stable idea of ​​a typical bar counter - an elongated but narrow surface made of stone, wood or plastic. Yes, this is the most popular and widespread option, but it is far from the only one.

For example, if the kitchen is small and the family consists of only two people, then a “standard” long bar counter is completely useless - it can easily be doubled, turning it literally into a small table.

The shapes are even more varied - it is not necessarily a narrow and long rectangle. Bar counters in the shape of a semicircle are also popular, but such exotic options require a lot of space, which is often in short supply in a corner kitchen. But in a kitchen-living room or studio this will be an excellent option for zoning space.

Support method

There are several most common bar counter configurations:

1. Rectangular table top with a support leg.

The peculiarity of this type of stand is that there is free space under the tabletop. There is a pipe under the free edge that holds the bar top in place. Sometimes the pipe is extended to the floor and used as holders for various fasteners, brackets and baskets.

There are also options with two or three legs - such models resemble a regular table, but much higher.

This version of the bar counter is worth paying attention to owners of small kitchens who want to visually expand the space and make it lighter.

1. With storage space.

In this case, the support for the countertop is represented by bar drawers and cabinets. This option is suitable for large areas where such furniture will not look so massive. The irony is that in a large kitchen you can already find enough storage space, but tiny Khrushchev-era apartments cannot afford this.

An important point to consider is that the width of the counter must be increased to make sitting at it comfortable.

1. With built-in household appliances.

The latest trend is to use a bar counter not only to store kitchen utensils, but also to integrate household appliances. Usually a hob is located here. For a small bar counter, models with only 1-2 burners are suitable.

Advice! If the hob is moved to the bar counter, then you need to think about moving the hood there too. Will it be convenient? And how to communicate?

If you have enough space, you can move an oven or corner sink to the bar counter. In the latter case, you need to be careful:

• it is necessary to think in advance where the dishes will be dried - this place should be next to the sink so that the floor around is not covered in drops and splashes;
• It is not always possible to pull communications where you want.

Size

There are no strict standards and requirements for the size of bar counters, but there are recommendations for height and width:

• 110–120 cm is the average height, you need to select bar stools for it;
• 50–60 cm is the optimal width for comfortable work or snacking;
• 30 cm is the minimum width - a narrower tabletop simply will not be used.

The height parameter is quite arbitrary, since it is selected individually for a specific kitchen:

• if it is important to zone the space, then it can reach 130 cm;
• if the countertop continues the kitchen set, then often it will not be higher than 90 cm from the floor.

To make the bar counter as comfortable as possible, if space is possible, the width of the counter is increased to 80 cm.

Length is a factor that completely depends on the wishes of the owners:

• For some, a stand long enough for two stools will be enough;
• To others, the tabletop along the entire wall will seem small.

It is worth considering that a person needs about 55–60 centimeters to spend time comfortably.

Functional content

The bar counter itself can be called an addition to the main kitchen set. But you can also find additional elements for it - in this case, the counter will turn into a bar console.

The stand in this case will play the role of a tree to which the following can be attached:

• holders for glasses and wine glasses;
• fruit bowls;
• side serving shelf;
• carousels;
• roof rails;
• handrails;
• foot supports;
• other useful accessories.

Don't miss: Reader Julia: “The bar counter for glasses is the highlight of the interior of my kitchen!”

Many housewives know about the mobility of railing systems; they can be installed in any convenient place in the kitchen, accessories can easily be moved on them. Caring for them is very simple, just wipe with a damp cloth and wipe dry.

For those who like to cook, there are swivel hangers with hooks for ladles, spatulas, spoons, and side shelves for serving. Wine and glass stands are used for guests. Spending time in such a home bar is pleasant and comfortable.

How to beautifully “fit” a corner set with a bar counter into the kitchen interior ↑

A corner kitchen set with a bar counter is a statement of good taste, an excellent choice for everyone who is young in body and soul, and for whom the kitchen is more than just a room for preparing and consuming food. You can “have a nice, soulful sit” at the dinner table, but the bar counter invites communication of a slightly different nature. And there is no reason to set the table if you just want a quick snack or a light coffee break. If earlier in such cases you had to “eat your meal” on the run so as not to fall under the hypnotically relaxing influence of the dinner table, now you can calmly have a snack at the bar, sitting on a high chair with footrests, which will give you moments of rest, but will not let you get cold and lose your fighting spirit.

Corner kitchen "Elina" with a bar counter from the Eco Kitchens factory combines the main trends characteristic of modern kitchen furniture

In modern interior design, a bar counter is any elongated tabletop on a bar console or simply without classic legs, like a regular table, complemented by high stools or bar stools with a crossbar for the legs. This could be a tabletop attached to the wall, an island counter placed in the center of the room, a small “offshoot” of a kitchen unit on a sparkling chrome leg, and other similar structures. By the way, in English-speaking countries such a counter is often called a “breakfast bar,” that is, a “breakfast counter,” and not a bar at all.

Corner kitchen with an elegant mini-bar counter from the Forema factory - the embodiment of modern style and comfort

The bar counter that complements the kitchen set is usually fixed on a supporting pipe-support, which is attached to the floor, acting as a bar console, and sometimes to the ceiling or to the top eaves cover. In the latter case, it acts as a functional tree on which holders for glasses and wine glasses, fruit bowls and other useful accessories are hung. However, in many modern models, the bar counter very harmoniously continues the kitchen set even without a support tube.

A corner kitchen with a semicircular bar counter without a support tube and functional wood looks original and unusual

A popular option in the West: a narrow countertop-appendage installed perpendicular to the main line of the kitchen unit. This small addition in the form of a bar counter will allow you to create an ergonomic corner kitchen in the shape of the letter L or U, without loading the remaining space with a bulky dining table. Using modern materials such as Corian, the tabletop of the set can be rotated in any direction and at any angle, experimenting with the shape of the bar counter.

The simplicity and severity of the lines of the bar counter harmoniously fit into the interior of this kitchen

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.

Thinking through the lighting

Modern lighting in the kitchen is based on two factors:

• the main thing is in the center of the room or in the center of the dining table;
• additional - for each functional area.

It turns out that if the role of a dining table in the kitchen is played by a bar counter, then the main lighting should be in the center of the kitchen, and the bar counter should be highlighted additionally.

The first question that comes to mind when arranging lighting above the bar counter is how many lamps are needed. Theoretically, one powerful light source will be enough, but a set of three or more lamps looks much more successful from an aesthetic point of view.

In addition, it is worth further considering the illumination of the work area - so that cooking is comfortable and safe.

Layout options

The location of the bar counter in a corner kitchen unit is directly related to the size and shape of the kitchen itself. The main rule is that the layout should be comfortable and not clutter up the space.

Studio apartment

In such an apartment, the bar counter, in addition to its direct function, performs another, no less important one - it delimits the space into zones. To achieve the maximum zoning effect, it is best to choose a counter that differs from the kitchen unit, but while maintaining the unity of the design.

If the studio is not at all large, then it is best to choose a structure combined with a dining table - this option will most please families with small children.

But the best choice is a classic bar counter with a tabletop height of 110–120 centimeters and numerous lower drawers for storing utensils, as well as a well-thought-out system of hangings and rails.

Such a counter will not only be a bar, but will be useful for breakfasts, snacks, and also as a serving table.

Big kitchen

The large kitchen has plenty of room to roam around. The best solution, of course, would be an island stand. Its functionality can be completely different:

• dining or work area;
• storage space;
• zoning;
• moving a stove, oven or even a sink to the island.

If there is no need for an island, you can consider more classic options.

Small kitchen

In a small kitchen there is always one problem: how to fit everything. It is with the location of the dining area that the bar counter will help, since a miniature specimen without cabinets and shelves will fit even in the smallest kitchen, replacing a large and bulky table.

Another advantage of a bar counter in a small corner kitchen is that bar stools can be pushed under it, and they will not take up space at all.

You can use the window:

• make a bar counter under the window sill, preferably a folding one, so that outside of lunchtime it does not take up space;
• replace the window sill with a bar counter.

For very small “Khrushchev” buildings, there is another option - to run a narrow tabletop along a blank wall.

Advantages of a bar counter

The most popular bar counters can be called in the arrangement of combined rooms - living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens. They are often found in studio apartments, in particularly spacious private houses. But this design is also functional in compact apartments. This is a laconic design that can be equipped with additional shelves for utensils or decoration. If there is no space for a full-fledged dining room, a bar counter will be an alternative.

You can make a rack functional in different ways, and its arrangement depends only on individual needs. Materials depend on the budget, although in this matter the range of solutions is quite obvious, and the design adapts to the overall composition. Decorative details that can be placed on special holders help to make such an interior individual. And here there are also no restrictions for the realization of any fantasies.

Successful examples in the interior

A stylish corner kitchen with a two-level bar counter in combination with light colors looks very beautiful: this solution is suitable for a studio or kitchen-living room. The same materials are used for furniture, so the kitchen looks very harmonious.

A spectacular kitchen in neoclassical style will fit perfectly into any modern interior. The design looks complex but dynamic thanks to a combination of gray and white, wood, tile and glass - fixtures stolen from the loft. This atmosphere is complemented by gray window frames and interesting bar stools, perfectly matched to the tone.

A beautiful version of a bar counter made to look like stone - the pattern goes well with the accent wall near the work area. The dynamics of the interior are given by a purple chair that stands out from the rest. At the same time, he does not look distant, since a similar tone is read in the curtains.

A stylish option that is perfect for large kitchens. Notice how multifunctional the bar counter is: there is storage space, a dining area with comfortable legroom, and a hob.

Another option for planning a corner kitchen with a bar counter in a large area. The bar counter in this case, although wide, still does not play the role of a dining area - at most, a small snack.

The classic style is well maintained using natural materials. The only thing is that the refrigerator is begging to be replaced with a more discreet option, better built-in.

The next interior is interesting because there are already two bar counters - one is adjacent to the set, the second is in the center of the kitchen. As you can see, the closest one is used for small snacks.

It can be assumed that the central one plays the role of an additional working surface. Pay attention to the interesting combination of blue shades - they are not identical, but the kitchen still looks harmonious.

If ready-made bars don’t suit you, then you can make a bar counter with your own hands: the uniqueness of the furniture is simply guaranteed, and the process itself is not complicated.

9 mistakes in a kitchen with a breakfast bar

Bar counter in a small kitchen

Even if your kitchen is small, there is always a better layout option. The trend is the use of non-standard and ultra-modern solutions in the design of kitchens with limited space, and the bar area is one of such interesting innovative elements in the interior design of a small kitchen.

Please note: we are talking about the small dimensions of the zone itself and the compact dimensions of the bar counter. A counter installed on half the kitchen area will look stupid and tasteless - to say nothing of how this bulky structure will interfere...

It is necessary to achieve a balance between beauty, functionality and the availability of free space.

How to achieve this? Skillful design - you will have to choose one of two possible options:

• Equip a corner island without a vertical stand.
• Try to “try on” the location of the vertical counter (depending on the layout of the kitchen space, such a move may work).

In the first option, the work area in the kitchen will start in the corner of the kitchen (from the beginning of the cabinet) and extended to the length of the counter. At a small square, such a move practically provides an equivalent replacement for a dining table.

Moreover, the absence of a metal vertical stand does not limit this working area, and in addition, the dining area can be additionally illuminated with two or three hanging lamps.

Basically, examples of the design of a bar area without a counter relate to the interiors of kitchens in a modern style; they are also used in studio-type kitchens in the loft style.

Notice how original the high stools near the bar are. In addition to the harmony with which they fit well into the interior, they are also suitable from the point of view of functionality and convenience.

The second option for equipping a bar counter can be found more often in our apartments, which is why it is considered traditional.

The most important constructive “attraction” of this design solution is the vertical support: it is attached from below and above to the far corner of the working area of ​​the extended tabletop.

To eat comfortably while sitting at the bar counter in a small kitchen, you will need to equip this area with sufficient lighting. Basically, the upper edge of this design is rounded and has an area that duplicates the shape of the lower level countertop.

An LED strip is mounted in the top one or hidden spotlights are installed.

This option for arranging a bar area with a counter is considered the most convenient for small-sized kitchens, which is confirmed by numerous photos of completed projects in standard apartments.

Moreover, a positive aesthetic effect is also evident. The metal stand can be supplemented with a minibar, miniature shelves, and holders for wine glasses and glasses can be attached.

Using a bar counter in a kitchen design does not mean that there is no room left for a full-fledged dining area: the ideal location of all areas in the kitchen can be achieved with careful planning and design.

Remember: to move comfortably around the kitchen there must still be free space!

The bar counter can serve as a conditional line for separating zones - the dining and cooking zones, and in a studio layout - between the kitchen and living space, if the kitchen in the apartment is combined with the living room. Such practical zoning does not create any visual load on the perception of the interior and looks very stylish.

Even with a small kitchen, the owner can place a bar area with a counter in it: we looked at several ways to decorate it in a small room.

Be creative when decorating your kitchen. You don't have to limit yourself to one style. Mix, experiment. Turn on your imagination, and then you can turn your kitchen into a real masterpiece. After all, this is where you cook, have dinner with your family and gather friends on weekends.