If you don’t have time and need to constantly set the dining table, don’t have enough free space, or want to divide the kitchen into zones, equip your kitchen with a bar counter. Initially it was used in drinking establishments, then it found application in other public establishments related to the entertainment and recreation sector: casinos, hotels, cafes and restaurants. After some time, bar counters began to appear in the homes of wealthy people and became one of the symbols of wealth and prosperity. When holding large-scale parties, this attribute turned into the epicenter of the action - it gathered all the guests around it, where they could treat themselves to a variety of drinks prepared by a guest bartender or taste snacks.
Residents of the United States were the first to introduce home bars into kitchen design, then their example was followed by the population of Europe, and soon Russia. Today, the furniture market is replete with all sorts of variations in the designs and designs of bar counters, which are already firmly established in everyday life and are actively used in residential buildings around the world.
A fashionable and modern piece of furniture, literally referred to in the West as a “breakfast bar”, which translated means “breakfast bar” or “breakfast counter”, will ideally fit into a space of any configuration and add functionality and a touch of style to the room.
Ways to place bar counters in the kitchen interior
There is an endless number of design solutions that are focused on taking into account all possible features of kitchen premises and satisfying every customer’s wishes. Qualified interior design specialists will develop an individual project without much effort. But what if you don’t want to resort to outside help and additional expenses, and also if you don’t want to make mistakes in planning your kitchen? Generally accepted basic solutions will help with this, ensuring a guaranteed solution to a number of key problems:
- properly equip the space;
- ensure the maximum possible functionality of the kitchen;
- it is expedient and logical to divide the room into several zones;
- create an expressive design without violating the laws of style.
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In conclusion, here are some tips on the correct selection and installation of racks.
Loft in kitchen design
◆ Bar counters differ from a regular table in their height. Therefore, no matter what option you choose, you always need to purchase special chairs for it.
◆ Don’t settle for an option that’s too budget-friendly. The cheap appearance of the counter spoils the overall impression of the apartment.
◆ Try to ensure that the rack is in harmony with the main design of the room. It should complement the interior, and not be conspicuous.
◆ Don't go overboard with accessories. Lots of different shelves are very functional and practical, but if they are all cluttered, it will create a visually repulsive impression of sloppiness.
◆ Use the shelves on the counter for their intended purpose. There is no need to store keys or spice bags in the silverware or fruit slide. This will quickly lead to clutter and a general feeling of chaos.
Bar counter in a studio apartment
For owners of a studio apartment, the bar counter is one of the most appropriate interior items. Regardless of the shape of the room - square or rectangle - it can be easily divided into functional areas - kitchen and living room - due to a sufficient number of square meters.
The owner of the apartment will only need to decide on how to place the bar stools. If you plan to watch TV while eating, which will be in the living room, then it makes sense to install seating in the kitchen area. In the case when you spend a lot of time cooking and you need more free space to move, it is logical to place the chairs on the side of the living area.
Which style to choose
Each style differs in colors, materials, decorations, so the style of the bar counter should match the interior design of the kitchen studio:
- For classics and neoclassics, it is appropriate to install an island or wall countertop made of natural wood or stone, for example, marble, granite. Standard rectangular models with laconic packaging are also suitable;
- Almost all designs of different colors and designs are suitable for a modern interior. The main thing is that it harmoniously continues the design, emphasizing the chosen concept;
- The minimalist style is characterized by the most simple models without unnecessary decor. Usually this is a rectangular tabletop, revealing its beauty in combination with other interior items;
- For the loft style, models made of wood, concrete, stone with an all-metal or brick base are appropriate;
- In the Provence style, to emphasize the lightness, naturalness and simplicity of the French style, they choose countertops made of natural wood, painted in delicate tones - brown, beige, milky. Antique models also look beautiful in the interior, for example, with an antique effect;
- For the Scandinavian style, a retractable, folding, stationary semicircular or square bar counter made of solid wood is suitable.
To expand the space, furniture and decoration are chosen from a light palette. A good way to decorate any interior is to have bright accents against a neutral background, for example, eye-catching capes on bar stools against beige walls.
Orange accents on white background
To fill the interior with severity, choose restrained colors, for example, a combination of black and white. If the support is made of metal, its color should intersect with other elements: fittings, roof rails, sink.
Photo ideas for inspiration
Preparation of materials and tools
The next stage of construction work is the selection of materials. For the frame part, wood or chipboard panels are most often used. It fully meets safety requirements: a fairly strong foundation.
To increase resistance to moisture, the development of pathogenic fungi and fire, all surfaces should be pre-impregnated with solutions of an antiseptic, antipyretic, moisture-resistant and antifungal composition.
Also, metal or profiled pipes are often used as the main material, which provide an even more durable base.
For the construction of countertops, shelves, and upper contours, wood is the material of choice. Before starting work, the breed is carefully selected, focusing on its safety and quality, reliability and durability.
The master will also need a well-organized workplace with sufficient lighting and the following set of tools:
- Jigsaw and plane for processing wooden surfaces.
- Epoxy resin, if you need to make an original tabletop.
- Special compositions for surface impregnation.
- Anti-corrosion solutions for processing metal parts.
- Welding and grinder for making frame racks.
- Fasteners (screws, self-tapping screws, metal corners).
You will need paints, acrylic varnish, decorative elements (painting and stencils), auxiliary accessories (grids, hooks, fittings for drawers). The interior of a kitchen with a bar counter is a fairly important criterion when working independently.
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.
Installation of the frame part
The best option is a metal frame part, which is more stable and durable in practice. All surfaces are carefully coated with an anti-corrosion compound before assembly.
After drying the parts, they work with welding, connecting the metal pipe according to the prepared project plan. Be sure to leave sides, hooks and protrusions for laying shelves and tabletops.
