Bar counter - for your own pleasure, for the pleasure of your guests

Previously, bar stools could only be found in a cafe, restaurant or club.

There is a high bar counter and high chairs near it, sitting on which you can watch what is happening in the hall.

Today, similar chairs, only semi-bar ones, can be found in apartment interiors. They differ from bar ones in height and design.

In this article we will look at the main characteristics of semi-bar stools.

Design differences between models and how to choose a chair for an apartment interior.

What is a bar counter for a kitchen?

Bar counters are made from a variety of materials: chipboard, wood, metal, tiles, stone and sometimes even glass. IKEA kitchen furniture is made from environmentally friendly materials that are highly durable and resistant to moisture: chipboard, MDF. The optimal parameters for a classic bar counter are about 105-115 cm in height; in small kitchens their height is usually 90-100 cm. The bar counter will not have a beautiful and complete look if there are not properly selected chairs nearby. The height of the chairs should be about 65-70 cm.

Ikea - a unique style of bar counters

The counter can also be supplemented with bar accessories, such as hanging glasses, additional lighting, and chrome parts. At the same time, it is not necessary to use the stand only for alcoholic drinks; a coffee maker or juicer would look quite harmonious on the stand. In some cases, instead of lighting, you can use hanging lamps, which will give the kitchen a special coziness and elegance.

Wide bar counter

A classic counter is a great addition to the kitchen interior, but it requires significant free space.

How to choose?

Most often, in the kitchens of residential apartments, bar counters up to 90 cm high are installed - this helps eliminate differences with the work surface. For such counters, half-bar stools with a height of 65 cm or less are ideal if the tabletop is at a level of 80-85 cm. The main rule is that the distance from the seat of the chair to the tabletop should not exceed 30 cm.

When in a small apartment it is necessary to separate the living room from the kitchen, stands from 100 to 130 cm are used. If the height of the stand is 120 cm, then the bar stool should have a height of 90 cm or a few centimeters more. It all depends on the height and dimensions of the person sitting. When the tabletop is 100 cm from the floor, then the appropriate chair height is 70-75 cm.

When choosing products for long-term gatherings, you need to focus on furniture with a back and armrests, especially if the model has impressive dimensions. All of these tips will help you determine the appropriate height for your bar stools.

To learn how to make a wooden bar stool, see the following video.

What is a bar counter for?

Recently, the bar counter has gained great popularity. This is explained simply. In addition to the fact that it is an interesting design element, the bar counter performs a number of useful functions:

• if you have a large kitchen, then the bar counter helps to divide the space between the cooking area and the dining area, and also helps fill the void in the space of a large kitchen and give it a more modern and aesthetic look;
• if you have a small kitchen, you can use a low bar counter instead of a dining table;
• the bar counter is used as an additional workspace in the kitchen when preparing dishes;
• a folding bar counter will be the most functional element of the interior. If necessary, it can be expanded to create an additional workplace, and vice versa.

Bar counter as an additional workplace
Today, the bar counter is not just a decorative design element. And if the size of the kitchen allows you to complement and diversify the interior with an additional piece of furniture, then you can start choosing bar counters; IKEA bar counters are especially in demand now.

Why are IKEA bar counters so popular?

Those who want to give their kitchen with a small area a fashionable modern style can install a bar counter in the room.
The Swedish brand IKEA is familiar to many first-hand. The manufacturer’s assortment is quite wide, and you can purchase not only home furniture, but also textiles, dishes and various accessories for decorating a beautiful interior. IKEA bar counters, as indeed all products from this manufacturer, are distinguished by accessibility, functionality, quality and convenience, and, in the end, they are simply stylish and beautiful. And what’s important is that with an IKEA bar counter you can make the most of the space of even the smallest room.

For small-sized apartments, a stand is perfect, which is a small, slightly elongated tabletop without legs, like a regular table. You can match it with both chairs with an unusual design and bar-type chairs.

The bar counter divides the space of the room

In any case, there are currently many bar counters from various Russian, Belarusian and foreign manufacturers. All racks are distinguished by interesting color schemes, original design and style. The main thing is to choose the most suitable option for your kitchen.

What types are there?

As mentioned above, IKEA offers a wide range of interior items, and in order to help you make a preliminary choice, let's look at the features of the most popular bar stool models.

Made of wood

The most striking representative of this type is the Ingolf model, which has a simple design geometry and an expressive wooden texture. These chairs are quite durable due to the fact that natural solid wood is used for their manufacture. The maximum weight that such furniture can withstand is 100 kilograms, which is achieved through the use of glue and screws to secure structural elements.

I would also like to note that such models often combine wood and metal. This gives the product a more modern and stylish appearance.

Metal

As a rule, IKEA bar chairs made entirely of metal are extremely rare in the company's catalogs. After all, you will agree that sitting on a metal product is still not comfortable enough. That is why the manufacturer, for the most part, makes only the frame from steel (which in some models can also be folded), and for the production of the seat uses the following materials:

• polycarbonate, which is notable for its low cost and is perfect for use in public places;
• leather, which allows the product to give a more respectable appearance. However, it is worth noting that chairs with leather seats require special care and therefore are rarely installed in places with large crowds of people;
• a combination of wood and metal that makes the appearance of the product quite unusual, which will allow them to be placed in a modern kitchen.

Upholstered

It is recommended to purchase chairs with upholstery in the following cases:

• when there are elderly people and children in the house who cannot sit on a hard surface for a long time;
• if you prefer not only to drink a cup of aromatic coffee at the bar, but also to have a full lunch or dinner;
• when gatherings in your home last until the morning, which, if there is a hard seating surface, can lead to discomfort in the gluteal muscles;
• if you want to create coziness and comfort in your kitchen.

The most striking representative of this type of IKEA bar stools is the Henriksdal model, consisting of an oak frame and a soft leather seat. In addition, thanks to the variety of leather colors, it is possible to choose such a piece of furniture to match a particular kitchen design

It should also be noted that such chairs fit perfectly with the overall interior and do not attract attention to themselves.

A more budget-friendly option for Henriksdal includes chairs covered with fabric. They are equipped with special removable covers that can be washed if they get dirty.

Features of IKEA kitchen counters

So, the renovation has begun, and you have decided that a kitchen with a minibar is not such a bad idea. Who is this solution suitable for? For those who like a bar atmosphere, a minibar is a comfortable place where you can relax and sip a cocktail or, while drinking coffee, watch the fried eggs sizzling in a frying pan. And if your kitchen is unusually spacious, then why not add a bar counter option to it?

What is the magic of this design element? Regulars of sports bars know how pleasant it is to sit on a high stool while enjoying the game of your favorite team on a widescreen screen. It’s unlikely that you associate the bar with negative emotions.

We don’t think that one bar will take you to your favorite place, but this is an undeniable plus: it’s your kitchen and your rules. In addition, a bar table is much better than a traditional table: having gathered with a group of friends in a homely atmosphere, you sit next to each other

Bar counters for kitchens: features

Ikea two-level bar counter - the price is quite reasonable

Many people, during renovation, decide to install a bar counter in their kitchen - why not?

This is a wonderful option for people who love to prepare cocktails, who like to contemplate cooking in comfort, as well as for ordinary people who have enough space in the kitchen for a full-fledged kitchen-dining room.

Special flavor of bar counters

In addition, the bar counter is perfect for those who like to sit at the bar on a high stool with a footrest, drinking a cocktail and watching their favorite sports or music program.

Know! The bar counter has the ability to transport you to the familiar atmosphere of your favorite establishment, but with the option of establishing your own rules here and increasing the level of unique comfort. If you have a lot of friends and lead an active lifestyle, then our tips on setting up your own bar counter are just for you!

Types of bar counters

Bar counters are divided into:

1. Multi-level (with stands on top for glass legs) bar counters.
2. Two-level bar counters;
3. Single-level bar counters.

A single-level rack is the most common option, because it is the simplest and most unpretentious.

Often this model has:

• lighting that decorates the entire length of the rack;
• along with convenient cabinets and shelves;
• beautiful fittings;
• unique finishing;
• stained glass;
• and other elements.

At the same time, the counter itself is not necessarily associated with bars and gatherings of young people. This stand can be decorated with high quality wood, varnished - it will look appropriate in any other, more classic interior.

Other functions of bar counters

In addition to very specific functions, bar counters play the role of some kind of screens that zone rooms. For example, they separate kitchens from dining rooms or living rooms from kitchen studios.

A bar counter is an indispensable element when equipping a kitchen (or a home as a whole) in a minimalist or hi-tech style. And if the materials are chosen correctly, the stand will easily fit into styles close to the classics.

If you want to place a bar counter in a certain interior, or want to ensure the maximum level of combination of furniture items, you must take into account:

• materials from which the stand is made;
• its shape;
• its accessories (lighting, type of fittings, etc.)

Materials for making bar counters

In the manufacture of bar counters, including those in the Ikea style, the following materials are used:

• tree;
• stone;
• glass;
• mirrors;
• composite materials;
• metal;
• other.

When choosing material for bar counters, you need to choose the same materials and colors from which other kitchen furniture is assembled. The stand should not particularly stand out or go out of style - then it will look appropriate and harmonious.

The countertop, however, can be ordered as a composite one: a durable material, available in many different colors, that will last you for many years.

It’s not for nothing that composite elements are used in the automotive and aircraft industries - after all, they:

• resistant to temperature changes;
• not subject to mechanical damage.

Therefore, they are completely suitable for the work surface on which food will be prepared.

Advantages of wooden models

Natural wood furniture is now very popular. The growth in consumer demand is driven not only by the fashion for natural materials. Warm colors and beautiful wood texture give the interior a touch of coziness and comfort. Wooden stools for the kitchen ideally decorate interiors in country, rustic, Provence, eco styles, and look harmoniously in the classics. Laconic models can also be used in modern designs.

The kitchen creates difficult operating conditions. In this room:

• During the cooking process, elevated temperatures are created;
• various contaminants get on the furniture;
• Wet cleaning is carried out regularly using detergents.

Wooden stool for the kitchen in a modern interior

For natural wood, such factors are extremely undesirable. But modern wooden stools for the kitchen withstand these tests and retain their functional and aesthetic characteristics. To do this, the material is treated with moisture-repellent impregnations and covered with several layers of durable varnish.

The range of products is large. For classics, country, Provence, you can choose carved stools with twisted legs. Deliberately rough products look great in rustic. Wooden stools for the kitchen made of bleached oak or wenge fit into the high-tech style.

Wooden stools for high-tech interiors

Such products have only two drawbacks. Stools made of natural wood are included in the elite category and have a high cost. Despite high-quality protection, you need to care for furniture carefully, avoid high humidity, and do not use active chemicals.

Other functions of bar counters

Behind the obvious use of bar tables there are also some hidden possibilities for using a bar. Let's say you merged the kitchen and the adjacent room together, in which case the living room and kitchen areas are separated by a counter. Interestingly, this design has become part of styles such as hi-tech and minimalism. The question of including a blue bar in the interior is a question of the materials from which it will be made.

So, if you need to fit the purchased model into an already established interior, then you need to pay attention to the following things:

1. Materials from which production will be carried out
2. Model shape and height
3. Additional accessories, such as lighting, coasters for glasses, etc.

Materials used

As we have already said, production is based on various types of materials - even ready-made models contain at least two materials. The bar counter purchased for the kitchen from IKEA is a clear example of this. So, what material is used to make racks:

• Wood is a classic approach to the selection of materials;
• Stone - also suitable for classics and Provence>;
• Glass is a universal material;
• Metal;
• Composites.

When choosing an Ikea bar table, give preference to the same colors as the kitchen. The same is true with materials; the stand should not be conspicuous due to errors in style; the unity of color and material will create harmony in the space of the room. Let us give one piece of advice: when assembling the structure yourself, make the tabletop from composite materials, because composite:

1. Shockproof;
2. Heat resistant.

Such requirements are due to the fact that the bar counter will also turn into a work area where food will be prepared.

Options for bar counters for a small kitchen

The classic version of bar counters, unfortunately, is not suitable for everyone. But even for a small kitchen you can choose the best counter option. In this case, the counter can easily serve as a dining table. Of course, to fully receive a large number of guests, you will need to take care of a table of normal size, but for everyday use, a bar counter as a table is quite suitable.

A bar counter for a small kitchen can have different sizes and shapes, and be located in a place convenient for you, be stationary or mobile, depending on your preferences.

If you have a bar counter, there is no need for a dining table.
For a small kitchen, a counter that also acts as a working surface is perfect:

• a small counter will serve as both a food preparation table and a dining table. And for its intended purpose, as a bar, it will be used, for example, during the holidays;
• The height of the stand should be no more than 90 cm, at the level of a regular table, and the length should not be more than a meter. Such modest dimensions are explained by the fact that in a small kitchen a high counter will look inharmonious and angular;
• Alternatively, a folding bar counter can be installed near the window sill, which will save space and admire the view from the window.

Classic, wide and spacious bar counter
So, we found out that the bar counter is no longer considered a useless, redundant piece of furniture, even in a small kitchen. On the contrary, a bar counter will only decorate your kitchen, giving it style and comfort.

Where do we place the finished bar?

Introductory word: it is preferable to buy bar tables and chairs as a set to avoid differences in the heights of the table and chairs.

Therefore, when zoning rooms using this option, keep in mind the principle of variable height - designer bar stools are selected for a specific counter height.

Now an idea for cooks. If you like to cook, then choose a two-level model and place the necessary equipment on the inside. Thus, the inner side is hidden from prying eyes - it is pleasant to cook on it, because its height is exactly what it is designed for. And guests sitting “at the bar” will not be distracted by the chef’s manipulations while cooking. By the way, the IKEA bar stool in its variations will fit any counter design.

Bar chairs

Bar stools are presented on the website with a wide selection of models and design options. Here you can choose high chairs and stools that will fit comfortably at the bar, or lower models designed for kitchen islands and countertops. Wooden and metal, folding and equipped with footrests, IKEA bar stools will make your kitchen more stylish and comfortable.

And to avoid accidental folding, bar stools are equipped with special locks that make their use safe.

Bar chairs

There are both standard options and those that can be adjusted (increase or decrease the height of the furniture). One chair, depending on the series, can cost from 800 to 11,000 rubles. Most of the furniture is made in brown, white, black or gray. Series of chairs: Ingolf, Stig, Franklin, Norrocker, Bernhard, Jan-Inge, Roskog, Henriesdal, Glen. All chairs are tested and can withstand weight up to 100-110 kg.

Bar

The Ingolf models remain the most popular among bar stools.

Cost – from 3,599.

The bar stools also include folding Franklin ones.

Cost – from 2,499.

Bar stools are available in the “Busse” (RUB 3,299), “Roskog” (RUB 1,999), and “Dalfred” (RUB 2,999) series.

Bar stool “Busse” with bar stool “Ingolf” (painted).

With a soft seat, there are models “Yang-inge” (RUB 8,999) and “Bernhard” (RUB 9,999).

Chairs “Jan-inge” and “Bernhard”

Among the most budget-friendly is the “Stig” model, made of durable plastic in black with different widths.

Cost – from 999.

Design

Modern stools are very different in appearance from the first models produced. They have various designs. Products may differ in seat shape. Round, square, oval are popular, and their shape can be straight or curved (anatomical models). Different models of stools are equipped with all kinds of supports. The legs can be round, square, rectangular, chrome-plated, if they are metal products, forged.

The supports of classic furniture are often carved. In addition, the supports can be twisted, with rounded edges, crossed. The supports can be located either at right angles or at an angle. Stools with a disc seat on 1 high stand with 3 or 4 small legs look elegant and original.

What do customers say in their reviews?

Many models have long gained popularity among buyers, and there are already many reviews on forums and review sites.

Let's see what ratings were given to the most budget and popular options.

• "Stig."

• Franklin"

• "Ingolf".

• Henkriksdal"

In general, it can be noted that the main advantages that buyers highlight are price, simple assembly, reliable design, and a comfortable seat.

Among the shortcomings noted were creaking (in wooden models, in particular Ingolf), abrasion of the epoxy coating in plastic products during active use. To minimize the risk of damaging furniture, it is necessary to purchase accessories for it (covers, pillows), as well as ensure proper care.

Materials

Modern folding chairs are made mainly from:

Wood. A folding wooden chair is considered the most elegant and versatile option. It helps to create a truly homely, cozy atmosphere, while the product harmoniously combines with any interior design and can serve the owners for a long time. In addition, it can withstand significant weight. Products can be completely wooden or supplemented with soft pads for the comfort of those sitting. To extend their service life, wooden models can be coated with special compounds or varnishes.