The bar counter in the kitchen perfectly highlights the modern interior. It fits almost any style, and the abundance of photographs on the Internet with different options for the location of the bar counter in the kitchen is simply off the charts. But what if the size of your kitchen is not as large as in glossy photos, and you have long dreamed of a bar counter in the kitchen? Don't worry - we will help you find a way out! In this article we will tell you how to place a bar counter in a small kitchen, and how to do it in a way that also saves space. So, let's begin!
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Design advantages
The bar counter gives the design of the room a non-standard look, fitting into any interior style and decorating it.
A mini-bar is relevant in a small kitchen, where every centimeter is important when designing.
In small rooms it replaces large dining tables and saves space. At such a table you can have friendly gatherings with board games, have a quick breakfast and a snack.
Ideas for decorating a balcony in various styles
You can decorate the bar on the balcony in any style. The main thing is that this space blends harmoniously with the rest of the room. If the balcony is located next to the kitchen, you can make a counter in the same color as the kitchen unit. Fiberboard/MDF/chipboard and acrylic will help you with this.
If your apartment or balcony is designed in a loft or high-tech style, use metal, wood or stone. Install pendant lights or spots that diffuse soft light. Add metal designs and accents, such as tableware or a decorative vase.
The photo shows the interior on a loft-style balcony. Part of the wooden stand is installed in place of the window sill.
If you have a studio apartment, decorate your balcony in Art Nouveau or Provence style. A tabletop made of wood or glass with a soft, flowing shape will fit perfectly into this style. Light accents in the form of lamps and stained glass patterns will help make the interior on the balcony modern.
Types of layout
A bar counter is often installed near a window in the kitchen.
In small rooms, window sills look unattractive. They are either empty or small things accumulate there that are put away in a hurry. By installing a bar counter, you can get a tabletop from the sill of the kitchen window. The essence of the design is that the window sill will become a comfortable work area and can be used as a dining table and snack place. The usable area of the kitchen is not lost when the bar is located near the window.
Lighting
It is very important to equip a separate lighting system for the bar counter. This will have a good effect on both zoning and the overall appearance of the interior. If the bar countertop is also used as a worktop, then lighting is doubly necessary, since in its absence, cooking becomes quite uncomfortable.
In addition, when you turn off the main light, you will get a very cozy corner, which will create the necessary atmosphere. To do this, you can use the following elements:
- pendant lamps. They can be fixed either to the ceiling or to the top panel of the rack (if available). As a rule, they are equipped with light bulbs that provide a warm, soft light, which creates a very cozy atmosphere. A separate advantage of hanging lamps is the ability to adjust their length. In addition, they are indispensable in some design styles. For example, similar chandeliers equipped with metal shades are very well suited for loft interiors;
Comfort on 14 sq. m
- Spotlights. They can also be built into the ceiling or into the top panel of the rack. Such lamps are practical and provide very good lighting;
Modern corner option
- spots. This ceiling light is a semi-circular or straight bracket, usually made of metal. Several halogen lamps are attached to it. They can be rotated in different directions, which allows you to direct the light to the area that needs it most. Spots look great in styles such as hi-tech, loft, as well as in various minimalist styles;
- track lights. The design consists of conductive metal busbars on which light elements are fixed. The latter can move and turn, thereby you can change the illumination of a particular area. In addition, tires can be flexible - this allows you to create various original shapes from them, which is very interesting from a design point of view;
- LED Strip Light. This element allows you to make the bar counter very stylish and modern. In addition, with its help it stands out perfectly in the interior. Such lighting can be placed under the tabletop, on the top panel, and can be used to illuminate the lower part of the base - in a word, give the structure any desired look. A luminous bar counter can become the main element of a kitchen design, its highlight.
Kitchen design with a bar counter by the window
The bar counter brings a bright newness to the interior. Let's consider options for placing a bar near the kitchen window.
P-shaped stand model
The bar counter near the window can be combined with the kitchen unit; it will be its continuation, placed in the shape of the letter P, merging with the countertop. With this option, the window sill and countertop will be located on the same level. With a high window sill, you can arrange a two-level structure nearby.
The bar counter by the window, combined with a corner set, looks creative. The model can be a continuation of the window sill, located along or with a turn. To be able to sit comfortably, you need to give up cabinets or shelves below. The tabletop material must be resistant to moisture, mechanical stress, and UV rays. Such bars are preferred by those who have morning coffee for breakfast while admiring the nature outside the window. In addition, the window is the most illuminated place where it is comfortable to practice a hobby.
Bar along the windowsill
In small kitchens with a large window and a high window sill, you can place a bar counter along the window. It is replaced by a wide tabletop under which you can put your feet. It's good to relax in the kitchen with a cup of tea or aromatic coffee at such a compact and ergonomic bar table.
Racks along the wall and perpendicular to it
A counter along the wall in the form of a narrow tabletop is the traditional way of bars. They will be not only a dining area, but also an additional work area in the kitchen.
A countertop in a small kitchen, installed perpendicular to the window, also looks original. Attach the stand to the wall with the transverse side. It can easily replace a dining table, but with this arrangement the structure should not be high.
For small apartments, folding models are convenient, which are attached to the wall using hinges. The structure can be lowered and used as a table.
Small bars near the kitchen window also have disadvantages:
- Closing the radiator can cause deterioration in heat transfer.
- Window glass quickly becomes dirty and cleaning becomes problematic.
- It will be difficult to open windows to ventilate the room.
But these shortcomings are insignificant, but the window sill becomes much wider, and the space next to it is spacious.
Choice of chairs
Kitchen counter 10 m2
The first thing you should pay attention to when choosing chairs is their height. It should be such that it is comfortable for you to sit at the bar counter. Therefore, you should focus on the dimensions of the latter.
For a standard bar counter, chairs with a height of 75 to 85 cm are quite suitable. If the countertop is a continuation of the kitchen unit, then it is located lower. In this case, you should purchase half-bar stools, the height of which is up to 60 cm.
In addition, there are other selection criteria. For example, the type of construction is very important. It largely determines how comfortable you will be using the chairs.
The following varieties are distinguished:
- stool. It differs from the usual one only in height, and the rest is the same: a round or square seat without a back. This is the most uncomfortable option of all, since sitting on a stool for a long time makes your back very tired;
- standard chair. It is equipped with a backrest that is comfortable to lean on;
- semi-chair. In essence, it is the same chair, but there are also armrests. In addition, chairs are usually made with soft upholstery, so sitting in them is most comfortable even for a long time;
- folding chair. It is equipped with a mechanism that allows you to adjust the height of the seat and footrest. This variety is great for families with children, since the chair can “grow” with the child.
Also, when choosing, you should pay attention to the support of the chair. It could be:
- one leg. In colloquial speech, such models are often called “leg”. From a design point of view, it looks quite good, maintaining as much visual space around the counter as possible. Be sure to pay attention to the base of the leg - its diameter should be equal to the diameter of the seat. Otherwise, the stool will be very unstable;
- two legs. This option looks good in modern interiors - for example, in high-tech style. But such chairs cannot be called stable, so they are not suitable for families with children;
- three legs. This model is more stable than the previous one, but the location of the supports is very important. We advise you to sit on the chairs before purchasing and make sure they are perfectly balanced;
- four legs. From a comfort point of view, this is an ideal option.
The design of the legs may vary. Modern stores offer many original options. The legs can be originally woven together or even form a carved base - in a word, this question is limited only by your imagination.
But don't forget about practicality. For example, avoid protruding protrusions that could snag your feet. In addition, provide the ability to easily clean the legs from dirt.
Another parameter that you need to focus on is the material from which the chair is made. The most popular options:
- plastic. Good for its variety of design solutions and low price, but durability leaves much to be desired;
- tree. It has a beautiful, noble appearance, is environmentally friendly, and suits most design styles. The disadvantage is the high cost;
- metal. Of course, it is rarely left bare; usually such chairs are upholstered in fabric or leather.
The last criterion is the design style. It should match the design of the bar counter. For example, for the high-tech style, metal or plastic “two-legged” hard chairs are suitable; for classics, upholstered half-chairs with four legs are optimal; in Scandinavian and other eco-interiors, wooden structures of simple shapes will look great.
Another option suitable for arranging a bar area is a sofa. This approach gives maximum comfort to friendly gatherings. But here you should focus on the height of the counter, since not everyone can be reached from the sofa.
In addition, upholstered furniture is quite difficult to clean. Considering that the use of the bar area usually involves a variety of drinks, this can be a real problem. Therefore, it is worth thinking carefully before making such a choice.
Manufacturing materials
The stability and service life of the bar counter depend on the material of manufacture.
For the manufacture of such furniture the following are used:
- Artificial or natural stone. A bar countertop made of stone will look elegant. Artificial stone can be used for the base (leg) of the stand.
- Acrylic. A tabletop made of this material is chosen by people with refined taste and lovers of exclusivity. It is suitable for modern style, minimalism.
- Chipboard. These slabs come in many colors. Using the material, you can imitate designer prints, stone, wood motifs in minimalism.
- Valuable wood species. A solid wood bar looks noble and presentable. This is an excellent material for creating ethnic style, Country and Provence. During the manufacturing process of the stand, the wood is impregnated with special compounds. There are models with a protective film to minimize surface damage. Bar counters with carvings made of expensive wood look luxurious.
Advice. When arranging a wooden bar in small kitchens, you need to remember about the fire hazard of the material.
- Glass. Impact-resistant tempered glass with a thickness of at least 5 mm is used, which must be reinforced and shatterproof. This material is not susceptible to chemical and mechanical influences and is not afraid of heat. The glass surface gives exclusivity to the room. This non-standard material is suitable for minimalism and hi-tech, laconic and strict styles where there are no decorative elements! A glass stand visually expands the space, letting light through and creating color effects.
- Plastic. Products made from synthetic material are resistant to moisture and are easy to care for. To prevent scratches from appearing on the surface of the countertop, do not use products containing abrasives.
- Drywall sheets. The flexibility of the material allows you to create different shapes of racks.
In addition to these materials, MDF is used.
Location options
A balcony with a bar counter does not have to be wide. There are different ways to organize a place to relax, even on a narrow loggia.
Option 1. Folding bar counter
The least expensive way to increase the functionality of a loggia without breaking walls or dismantling window and door openings. The advantages of this option:
- budget - minimal costs are required to purchase a tabletop and fixtures;
- easy to install - no need to hire specialists;
- compact – when folded, it does not affect the size of the loggia.
When installing a folding bar counter yourself, you need to decide on the size of the tabletop and purchase a sheet of chipboard, wood, or composite material. Brackets are also needed (the quantity depends on the length of the finished product). After purchasing the components, the brackets are attached first, and the tabletop second. That's it - the design is ready for use.
Option 2. Along the balcony window
If there is a picturesque view outside the window, this option is for you. It also does not force you to dismantle the windows between the balcony and the room. Depending on the size of the loggia, you can install a tabletop:
- along the entire balcony;
- along the perimeter of the balcony, including the end sections;
- occupy part of the space - suitable for small balconies.
Decorative lighting
Bar counter lighting is a bright and unusual solution for a modern kitchen.
You will need an LED strip: white - more functional, colored - decorative. There are tapes with color transitions, flickering and effects.
Such decorative lighting lifts the mood and creates a festive atmosphere. There is no need to decorate the kitchen for the party - just turn on the lights!
Tabletop instead of window sill
This is the simplest and most economical option, which does not require approval from higher authorities. Its essence lies in the fact that the balcony block with a door and window is dismantled, and a bar counter-window sill is installed in the vacant space. It performs the function of zoning space and serves as a full-fledged dining table. This is especially important in small spaces, where every centimeter matters. In such cases, proper zoning is simply necessary. Access from both sides allows you to seat 4-5 people at the bar at the same time. In addition, such an interior does not look overloaded.
As for the design, there can be various configurations. The most budget option is a window sill-bar counter without additional improvements. You just need to purchase a countertop and place it on an existing block. For small kitchens, a design with fruit bowls, carousel shelves rotating around its axis, and hanging sectors for storing glasses is more suitable. A window sill bar counter with two parallel tabletops looks very stylish. This two-level structure provides additional storage space.
A tabletop instead of a window sill: simple, convenient and practical, and most importantly - affordable both at a price and the possibility of self-production
Principle of operation
First, you need to carefully dismantle the door and window openings without damaging the base. Wooden structures can be sawed through with a hacksaw and then removed using a pry bar. It is better to fix the tabletop using liquid nails or fastening angles. Both methods are quite reliable, but require certain skills. Please note that the bar top is made only after the necessary measurements have been taken. It is better if it is round in shape: this will avoid injuries from sharp corners.
The optimal height of the bar counter on the balcony, a photo of which can be viewed on the website, is 110–120 cm. If the required centimeters are not enough, you can raise the base, or install the tabletop on wide, durable pipes, which in turn are attached to the block.
The opening between the kitchen and the balcony, prepared for installing a countertop
Stone countertop made to individual sizes
