Kitchen movable counter
8 Best Kitchen Carts and Portable Kitchen Islands 2022
8 Best Kitchen Carts and Portable Kitchen Islands 2022 | The StrategistEvery product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
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There’s really no such thing as the “perfect” kitchen — there’s always too little countertop space, not enough cabinets, or a combination of the two. This is where having a host of storage solutions comes in handy, like an over-the-sink dish rack or stackable containers for a prepper-like pantry. Though, no solution is probably as functional as a cart — not only can it hold everything you don’t have room for, it can double as an island to cook off of. Plus, you can roll it to wherever you like while you’re shuffling around making dinner. To find the best of the best, we consulted experts — including professional organizers, recipe developers, and a prop stylist — for the kitchen carts they rely on.
Best overall | Best for small spaces | Best (less-expensive) for small spaces | Best looking | Best with a stainless-steel top | Best with spice rack | Best with cabinet storage | Best (less-expensive) with cabinet storage
Material: Since these are kitchen carts we’re talking about — destined to be covered in tomato sauce and pancake mix — they should be relatively cleanable.
Interior designer Liz Lipkin sums it up best: “Take inspiration from kitchen surfaces. Stainless steel, powder-coated steel, butcher-block, and quartz are all easy to care for.” Durable stainless steel can handle high temperatures, explains Elsa Elbert, founder of Composed Living. “You can’t beat steel when it comes to strength,” seconds Lisa Zaslow, owner of Gotham Organizers. “That’s why so many professional kitchens and gourmet shops use steel shelving.” Or you could go with heavy-duty woods such as maple or oak, says David Mason, owner of cabinet hardware business the Knobs Company. And plastic is always an option — this is what tiered trolleys are usually made from. You’ll also want to think about the aesthetics of it all. “Matching your cart color to your cabinets will create a more cohesive look,” Lipkin suggests.
Design: Speaking of aesthetics, we considered the interplay between form and function with every cart.
Several of our experts mentioned getting a cart that features cabinets or shelves to free up precious drawer space. Deciding between the two comes down to “whether you want to go for a more minimalist open-shelf concept or if you want closed doors to avoid visual clutter,” Elbert says. Wheels are another factor to think about — Zaslow recommends looking for those that can lock so your cart only rolls when you need it to (especially for uneven floorboards). Really, the right design is about, as prop stylist Cait Gury puts it, “what your existing space is lacking. Do you find yourself getting frustrated with a lack of meal prep space? Are you desperate for a little more storage?”
Size: The dimensions of a cart will determine whether it’ll actually fit into your kitchen. If you have a particular spot in mind, Elbert recommends marking those measurements with painter’s tape on the floor beforehand.
Or you could follow one of Lipkin’s tips: Many countertops are around 36 inches tall, and you should find a cart that matches that height so it “looks more at home in your kitchen, better than a short one would.”
Ikea Råskog Utility Cart
$40
$40
Steel, polyester powder-coated | Three tiers, movable middle shelf, four adjustable castor wheels | 13.75” x 17.75” x 30.75”
The Raskog takes the “best overall” blue ribbon as the most-mentioned cart by far. Its utilitarian Scandinavian frame has endeared it to our experts, all of whom praise its versatility. “It’s the Ikea cart that’s doing the most in small-space kitchens across New York City,” explains Brittany Nims, associate director of e-commerce partnerships and business development at Vox Media.
The “junk drawer on wheels,” as she describes it, has served her as a dumping ground for kitchen linens and cleaning supplies. Similarly, when Gury lived in a tiny Brooklyn apartment, the Raskog gave her much-needed (and cheap) storage space. Jammed with spice jars and rolling pins, she would “roll it up to the stove then tuck it away in a corner, post-cooking.” Mason recommends keeping it in a central location for easy access, organizing the shelves according to category, like serving supplies. Or use it as a martini-making station, as Vanessa Dina, author of The Art of the Bar Cart, does. In our guide to the best bar carts, this won the title of “best bargain” with Dina applauding its durability.
$40 at Ikea
Buy
AmazonBasics Kitchen Rolling Microwave Cart
$70 now 7% off
$65
Chrome-plated steel, wood | Adjustable shelves, chrome hooks, smooth-rolling wheels | 15” x 36.
7” x 21”
With a “kitchen that’s better described as a 22-square-foot closet,” Hannah Starke, a former member of the Strategist’s social team, uses this Amazon Basics storage cart. Originally she intended to use the butcher-block top as an extra counter for food prep, placing her microwave on top of her fridge — until her mother nixed that idea as a potential safety hazard. Her microwave now sits on the top shelf with a blender, toaster, cast-iron skillet, colander, and portable dishwasher (phew) packed into the bottom racks. These racks can also be lowered or raised depending on how much storage you need.
$65 at Amazon
Buy
mDesign Portable Metal Rolling Laundry Cart
$40
$40
Steel | Four tiers, mesh-like shelf design, caster wheels | 17.3” x 6.7” x 38.3”
Billed as a laundry cart, this metal mDesign cart is a favorite of Nicole Abramovici, owner of Genius Organizing. It has one additional tier compared to our best overall pick. “The more the better, especially when maximizing vertical space,” Abramovici says. You could even stock it with small appliances that aren’t used often but you don’t want to lose track of. It’s especially useful for those little items that you sometimes don’t know where to put, like bottles of supplements, she suggests.
$40 at Amazon
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$40 at Target
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Yamazaki Tower Rolling Utility Cart
$144
$144
Steel, synthetic rubber | Three shelves, handles, swivel caster wheels | 19.29” x 14.9” x 32.09”
Yamazaki has made appearances all over our archives — unsurprisingly, we heard about the brand for this story too. This cart’s elegance is what initially attracted Jessie Sheehan, recipe developer and author of Snackable Bakes, to it. Not only does it feature clean lines, it comes with practical additions like hooks (for pot holders, tongs, or a fish spatula, she says) and handles that are equally as streamlined. Sheehan also likes how the modest cart disappears once filled, organized with smaller items up front and anything taller in the back. The cart also ended up being the best choice for her galley-style kitchen since it helps her easily roll equipment (especially her frequently used stand mixer) from one end to the other.
The Twillery Co. Miriam Rolling Kitchen Cart
$230
$230
Stainless steel, chrome finish | Metal basket-style shelves, removable wheels, side hooks | 36” x 38.62”’ x 20’”
If you don’t mind something more industrial, consider the Miriam cart. It’s one that Gury frequently recommends to her own clients — her tip is to add touches like fresh flowers, fruit, or stacks of cookbooks to make the stainless steel feel more domestic. The cart includes three shelves (if you count the top), two of which mimic metal storage bins, with several hooks “for easy-to-grab items, like wooden spoons and dish towels, while cooking,” Gury says.
And the Miriam comes with removable wheels, unlike others on our list — take them off to give the cart more of a kitchen-island look.
$230 at Wayfair
Buy
Hodedah Kitchen Island with Spice Rack
From $90
Compressed wood | Spice rack, towel holder, one drawer, cabinet with two shelves | 15.5” x 44.9” x 35.2”
Aysegul Sanford, the food blogger behind Foolproof Living, directed us to this rolling island that has a specially designed shelf just for spices. It’s a space-saving solution to cluttering your countertop with seasonings — Sanford likes that she can add even more spices to the additional drawer space, which is “another essential that many other carts lack.
” Along with this shelf and drawer, the cart comes with a dual-door cabinet. “The doors hide everything away,” she says, adding that the cupboard is where she keeps her air fryer. And when there are a number of cooks in the kitchen during dinner parties or family get-togethers, the cart’s top is sturdy (unlike others that rattle over time), making chopping on it much easier, Sanford explains.
From $90 at Amazon
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$140 at Target
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Red Barrel Studio Kuhnhenn Wide Rolling Kitchen Cart
$490
Mix of solid and manufactured wood | Three drawers, cabinet with three shelves, removable wheels, drop-leaf top, spice rack, towel rack | 36” x 53.5” x 18”
Though this Abramovici-approved Red Barrel Studio cart is similar to the Hodedah above, it offers a lot more storage.
The Kuhnhenn acts as “basically another row of cabinetry,” Abramovici says. It’s tricked out with three drawers on one side and a two-door cabinet with three interior shelves that block the “visual noise” of mismatched plate stacks or countless food-storage containers with missing lids you don’t want out. Her clients often like this cart for that very reason. Along with the top that doubles as a countertop space, the cart can be used as a table — there’s a drop-leaf hinge you can pull out.
$490 at Wayfair
Buy
Costway Kitchen Island 2-Door Storage Cabinet
$300
4.5 stars, 21 reviews
$300
Stainless steel, MDF | Three drawers, cabinet with three shelves, towel and bottle rack, smooth-rolling wheels | 53” x 18” x 36”
And as a more affordable alternative, Elbert recommends this Costway cart. Like the one from Red Barrel Studio, this pick includes a combination of doors and drawers to configure in just about any way you’d like. The cabinet’s interior shelves are spacious enough for small appliances, while the drawers can hold silverware and other utensils, according to Elbert. All that room means you’ll have “easy access to the items you use all the time.” Although it’s on the larger side, Elbert assures us that it moves around without a problem.
$300 at Walmart
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$500 at Target
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A kitchen cart that comes with hooks for hanging utensils
$54
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A big rolling shelving unit that doubles as a kitchen cart
A wire rolling cart readers have bought 946 times
$64
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4.7 stars 10,638 reviews
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• Nicole Abramovici, owner of Genius Organizing
• Vanessa Dina, author of The Art of the Bar Cart
• Elsa Elbert, founder of Composed Living
• Cait Gury, prop stylist
• Liz Lipkin, interior designer
• David Mason, owner of cabinet hardware business the Knobs Company
• Brittany Nims, associate director of e-commerce partnerships and business development at Vox Media
• Aysegul Sanford, food blogger behind Foolproof Living
• Jessie Sheehan, recipe developer and author of Snackable Bakes
• Hannah Starke, former member of the Strategist’s social team
• Lisa Zaslow, owner of Gotham Organizers
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25 Portable Kitchen Islands (Rolling & Movable Designs)
In this gallery we share a variety of portable kitchen islands with rolling and movable designs. A movable kitchen island is ideal for those who don’t want a costly remodel or have a small profile kitchen. Rolling kitchen islands can be ideal to give you extra food prep space as well as give your kitchen a little more design flair.
The variety of portable kitchen islands means you can have fun and add your own personal style to your kitchen space.
In the picture above, this movable kitchen island is quite small in size, with proportions and form reminiscent of console tables. It has a solid oak wood base, matching the floors of the kitchen and has a thick slab of marble on top. The lower part of the base is open instead of having a fully-enclosed storage space, making it look lighter.
There are a variety of types of movable kitchen islands. From portable carts, or tables and islands with legs or wheels you can find a style to match your specific kitchen style. Whether you want a butcher block countertop surface for meal prep, stainless steel, granite or concrete surface you can find it in a portable island.
Matching the modern rustic style of the whole kitchen space, this mobile kitchen gives that authentic weathered look. Antiqued white painted legs with open shelf topped with a block of salvaged wood in its natural finish really gives that rustic appeal.
This small kitchen island perfectly complements the kitchen and completes the look.
Surrounded by classic style kitchen cabinets. this movable kitchen island stands out with its natural weathered wood finish. Using large pieces of solid wood and a thick wooden slab for the top, it has a slid and heavy look, but has rustic look. It provides a nice break from the uniform finish/color of the walls and the kitchen, adding more personalty to the kitchen.
The over-all interior of the spaces has that classic cabin-like feel, using natural finishes in their natural earthy tones. Similar to the wood finishes of the walls and ceiling of this space, the movable kitchen island uses solid oiled teak wood, keeping the natural beauty of its color. This island is made purely of wood and has a long rectangular shape with one open shelf below.
Yellow gold walls gives this transitional style kitchen a bright and cheerful vibe.
To counter the bold color of the walls, the kitchen used white cabinets with gray counters and white backsplash tiles. For the kitchen island, instead of similarly styled fixed island, this kitchen uses a movable kitchen island in solid pine wood. The slim framing and construction of the narrow kitchen island gives it a light and modern look, while the open shelves underneath helps make the kitchen look open and bright.
Rustic finishes and elements can be found throughout this kitchen, combined with other modern elements/finishes, creating a rustic kitchen which looks light instead of heavy. In the middle of the kitchen is a very unique movable kitchen island which is made of salvaged/re-purposed materials. The base of the island is made from two wooden wine liquor barrels, while its top is from an old dining table with its legs removed. The result is a very unique kitchen island, which can even become a conversation piece.
Classic-inspired interiors calls for classic-inspired kitchens.
This lovely kitchen uses neo-classic inspired motifs and applies it on the kitchen design. The kitchen cabinets are all in an of-white color, making it stand out against the dark walnut floors. The movable kitchen island at the center of the kitchen stands on carved legs and has a full cabinet base with dark walnut top, matching the wood tone of the flooring. Right above it is a stainless steel pendant lamp for accent.
Matching the clean modern look of the kitchen space, this small movable kitchen island uses the same finishes as the main kitchen, but instead uses a solid teakwood for the counter top. The base of the island has 2-layered open shelves with gray laminated shelves and also has space for bar stools on the other side. Hanging right above the small kitchen island is a metal pot rack, adding a retro touch to the kitchen.
The whole kitchen has traditional look, taking inspiration from Corinthian motifs and finishes.
The small rectangular kitchen island at the center also goes with the over-all look of the kitchen, using traditional style cabinet base, but with a raised/movable configuration. Unlike the main cabinets though, it uses dark Mahogany counter top instead of white granite, add a touch of contrast and setting it apart from the rest of the kitchen.
A small kitchen space which uses traditional style kitchen cabinets on beige-painted walls. The main cabinets of the kitchen is white with black galaxy granite counters, while the movable kitchen island paints its base in black ad tops it with solid beech wood. The open space underneath the counter is used to stow the matching set of three black bar stools which has beechwood seats.
This small movable kitchen island is a perfect addition to traditional style kitchens, as it classic-inspired elements like moldings and detailed counter top nosing. The kitchen island has a narrow shelf on its sides for condiments, and also has a matching pair of bar stools with turned legs, with the same black finish as the kitchen island.
Maple laminated kitchen cabinets gives his kitchen that natural orange glow. To add to the efficiency of the kitchen, a small movable kitchen was placed in the the middle. The kitchen island uses a more neutral oak finish to counter the orange and red of the kitchen cabinets and floors, while the light yellow granite counter somehow matches the color of the maple cabinets, matching this kitchen island with the rest of the kitchen despite using a different base finish.
This movable kitchen island has a slim and modern profile, matching the clean lines of this modern kitchen. The wooden legs of the kitchen island is painted in white, with gray open shelves and a solid wood counter top. A wooden backing divides the open shelves from the other side of the kitchen island which can be used to stow bar stools.
This traditional style kitchen uses a small, movable kitchen island in favor of the usual fixed kitchen islands.
The rectangular island is in dark walnut finish, which makes it stand out in the kitchen, as the main cabinets are painted in white. It has an elegant marble top, and two leather-upholstered bar stools, emphasizing its timeless, classic appeal.
Limited calls for transformable, compact pieces, and this classic style kitchen is not an exception. The built-in cabinets have an off-white finish with light cream counter top, while the movable kitchen island is painted in white. The kitchen island is narrow, to to create a dual-purpose piece, its walnut top is actually a drop-leaf table, which opens to become an oblong shaped table for when you need additional dining space.
Placed in a modern transitional kitchen space, this antique kitchen island adds a romantic/classic element into the space. The base of the kitchen island has carved legs with louvered cabinets and light maple wood counter top. Right above the island are two Edison bulbs hanging from a thick wire, giving it a retro vibe.
White built-in cabinets, while walls and door frames, this kitchen definitely has that clean and crisp appeal of modern spaces. In an attempt to break the monotony and add a unique element into the kitchen, the kitchen island used is a vintage piece, with weather teal paint finish and n open shelf base. The kitchen island adds a shabby chic element into the clean an modern space, giving it a touch of vintage.
A modern kitchen space with a spacious floor area and unique hexagonal floor tiles in a burnt brown color. The main kitchen cabinets are white with solid teak counter top. In the middle of the kitchen is a narrow movable kitchen island with proportions similar to console tables. It is of solid wood maple construction with an open base.
This small kitchen makes use of a lightweight mobile kitchen island with beige granite top and black metal legs. The details of the metal legs still matches the classic look of the kitchen, and as the wrought iron framing and legs of the island are thinner than wood-framed islands, it looks lighter and doesn’t obstruct the view from anything.
It also has 2 metal bar stools placed beside it which also makes use of thin metal framing.
Rolling Island
A rolling kitchen island in black with paneled cabinet design and solid maple counter top. It has handles on both sides, enabling you to pull it/move it around on either end. The design is a classic, allowing you to place it on any traditional style kitchen, or even modern kitchens.
Read more about the Home Styles Dolly Madison Kitchen Cart here.
This mobile kitchen island is a great addition to small kitchens. It’s wheeled base makes it easy to move, allowing you place it where needed, and even use it as a serving cart. The design of this kitchen island matches the style of the main kitchen cabinets in white, but tops it with black granite instead of white solid surface for added contrast.
This modern kitchen has quite a limited space, so instead of using a fixed kitchen island, it opted for a rolling kitchen island as it allows you to move it around according to how you want to use it or set it aside if you need more floor space.
It can also function as a trolley, allowing you to transport items or food to other areas of the house. This design is of solid maple wood construction, giving it a light and natural look.
This kitchen has a very unique choice for its portable kitchen island. It uses a wood-framed movable kitchen island with solid stone top; what makes this unique, however, is that its base legs, sash and shelves wee all painted in red, making it standout from the dominantly-white kitchen.
This is a simple traditional style movable kitchen island. It is quite small in size, and unlike most movable kitchen islands, it has a solid base and does not stand on legs, making it appear like its a fixed kitchen island. The base is painted in black, while its top is a combination of solid teak wood and black glass. Portable kitchen islands like this are versatile and great for positioning it where you need it for food preparation and to get the right work triangle for the task at hand.
Read more about the Home Styles Monarch Granite Countertop Kitchen Island (Oak or Black Finish) here.
This traditional kitchen tends to be very overwhelming as it uses dark wood finishes and full height cabinets. To balance it out, it uses a smaller kitchen island, but using the same style and finish as the built-in cabinets. This kitchen island is small and movable, but has a lot of cabinet storage space.
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Mobile bar on wheels for the kitchen (mobile)
Home » Furniture for the kitchen
Mobile bar on wheels is convenient because it can be in the right place at the right time. When she is not needed, she can "go aside" and not interfere.
Reading: 4 minHeading: Kitchen furnitureAuthor: Pavel Kuzmin
The small size of the kitchen is not a reason to deny yourself a comfortable and stylish environment.
Today, the choice of furniture is so rich and varied that for any room and interior there are many items that are suitable in size and functionality. But the heroine of our review was a mobile bar counter. Movable and compact, convenient and ready to “go aside” at any time so as not to disturb the owners - it can become that finishing touch that your kitchen lacked so much.
Of course, a stand is not a necessity. But if sometimes you want to sit with your family or friends in your own "mini-bar", why not take care of the props? In addition, in a really cramped kitchen, an extra surface will never be superfluous. Especially if she's so mobile.
Features and designs
A distinctive feature of mobile bar tables is the casters on which they roll around the kitchen or move to the living room if necessary. Moreover, they should not be confused with portable racks, those that are often rented for one-time beer events. After all, they simply fold compactly and are transported from place to place.
These would be more fair to call transformers. But mobile furniture itself is able to move without much effort on your part - albeit within the boundaries of a separate apartment.
Don't confuse a bar on wheels with a serving table. The main difference here is the height of the countertop. It should be standard: from 90 to 115 cm. Here, a high tabletop on legs with wheels can move along the cutting table, increasing its usable area (albeit on two levels).
Equally convenient are swivel models, hinged on one side. By pulling on the opposite edge, you can roll out the table in an arc and place it perpendicular to the main line of the furniture. But you will need to calculate in advance whether there is enough free space in the kitchen to move the mobile rack in a strictly defined direction. Mobile pedestal stands with folding or rather opening body like a book are interesting. Inside them are placed several shelves, as well as holders for glasses. The tabletop in such models consists of two parts: you can stretch it in length by simply unfolding the base, or assemble it back into a very compact mobile structure.
Before purchasing a mobile bar table, consider where the high chairs will be stored. When the kit is not used for its intended purpose, they can be set aside against the wall or put away in a free “dead” corner. But if there are not enough square meters for this, it makes sense to purchase folding or stackable models.
Operation nuances
If you plan to regularly roll your bar counter around the kitchen or opt for a retractable bar at all, get ready to deal with wheel marks on the floor. On a soft or insufficiently strong surface, they will soon lay a track, completely ruining the finish. In order not to have to regularly spend money on expensive and complex repairs with the replacement of the entire floor, it is better to immediately dwell on its wear-resistant options: porcelain stoneware, tile or polymer screed.
A high-end commercial laminate (33 or 34) will also hold up well, although not as long.
Since we are not talking about a stationary model, the requirements for a mobile bar counter are also somewhat different:
- Light weight - so that one person could move it, even if it is a fragile girl. Here it is advisable to choose a table on a lightweight tubular frame, as well as a tabletop made of chipboard or plastic, and not chase thick tempered glass or natural stone.
- Stability - not only the safety of dishes, but also the safety of those sitting at the mobile table often depends on this. Think of yourself in a real bar - you always want to lean on the counter. It will also be useful to have special stoppers on wheels that will not allow furniture to move at will.
- Functionality - if you plan to roll the bar table throughout the kitchen or even the apartment, you need to be able to transport all sorts of goodies and necessary utensils with it. Let the model you choose have additional holders, grids under the tabletop or special pockets where you can put napkins, cutlery, or shelves for plates of snacks.
Mobile racks are distinguished by their small dimensions. They always have a small and not too roomy countertop. So do not expect that with the advent of this item in the kitchen you will be able to arrange large and noisy feasts. But there is enough space for breakfast or a cup of coffee for two or three. But then the furniture can simply be moved to the wall or rolled back to where it will not bother you - until the next time.
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Pavel Kuzmin / author of the article
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Unusual bar counters and their design in the kitchen
Review author: Atlant Architectural Bureau
Homeowners have a twofold attitude towards the bar counter in the kitchen: some consider it a good solution, even if there is literally no space in the kitchen.
Others, on the contrary, refer to the elements of luxury, which can be abandoned. But, do not mind getting it when the opportunity arises.
Appointment of a bar counter in the kitchen
Kitchen layout options with breakfast bar
Types of bar counters
Island
Integrated
Peninsular
Multilevel
Mini Stand
Transformer
How to design and equip a kitchen with a breakfast bar
Technique
Bar stools
Illumination
Bar pipe
Engineering errors
Examples of kitchens with breakfast bar
Appointment of a bar counter in the kitchen
Modern fashion trends are such that not everyone is interested in a bar counter for the kitchen in the classical sense.
Of course, you can savor alcoholic drinks together, sitting sideways to the interlocutor. But designers see its functionality much wider.
The bar in the kitchen allows you to organize breakfasts, lunches and snacks, tea ceremonies and other family feasts in a narrow circle without long serving. It is only important to competently and interestingly equip this part of the kitchen interior.
Attention! The presence of a pair of bar stools near a narrow strip of countertops in the kitchen is hardly surprising today. It is better to spend time and choose an unusual option for your kitchen.
Kitchen layouts with breakfast bar
First of all, fantasy rests on free space, because the bar counter should not take up space. Secondly, its appearance in the interior should improve the functionality of the room.
Tip! Working through the design of the kitchen with a breakfast bar, you should be guided by these considerations.
Types of bar counters
Depending on how the kitchen set is located, bar counters are divided into several subspecies.
Island
This design is intended for owners of a kitchen island from a furniture set. It can be arranged as a natural continuation of the main element of kitchen furniture.
If there is no kitchen island in the room, but there is a desire of the owners to acquire it, then you can consider purchasing an island bar counter. It can even be equipped with additional functions to expand the functionality of the entire kitchen.
Pay attention! Mini-refrigerators, wine cabinets, boxes for wine glasses and glasses are placed in the bar counter of this type.
Built-in
A built-in bar counter between the kitchen and the living room is often offered by furniture manufacturers as a turnkey solution.
It can be L-shaped or U-shaped, both with entry to the main worktop, and as a separate solution.
Peninsula
This type of construction is most often an extension of the main worktop with an open space underneath.
This solution allows you to get additional space, which visually lightens the interior.
Multi-level
This type of furnishing allows different types of seating for people eating. Those. for such a stand, you can seat guests on bar stools, or you can sit on classic ones.
For example, if they are watching TV, the bar stools are on one side. And if they eat and communicate, classic chairs or armchairs are used.
Mini Rack
Smaller apartments or studios cannot boast the size of kitchens. Therefore, they are content with the small size of furniture sets.
As a rule, this is a bar by the window, where there is initially little space, or a corner bar. Behind her it is convenient to drink a cup of tea or coffee, while the main space of the kitchen is occupied by the hostess.
Transformer
The bar in a small kitchen can be built-in type: folding or retractable. It allows you to save space due to its transformation mechanism, creating a dining space.
The rack is designed to be located either inside the drawer or in one of the side walls.
How to design and equip a kitchen with a breakfast bar
Sometimes the desire to purchase a breakfast bar for a small kitchen leads to successful design solutions. The result can be a good option for a compact arrangement of furniture.
Appliances
A kitchen with a breakfast bar in small apartments can be a good help for placing the necessary household appliances. For example, by installing a section on top for storing glasses and wine glasses, dishes and cutlery.
Wine cooler or mini-fridge can be installed in the lower part. And if there are communications, build in a dishwasher, etc.
Bar stools
Bar counters in the kitchen are much higher than classic tables.
Accordingly, they need bar stools.
Important! The height from the floor at the bar counters ranges from 90 to 120 cm.
Before you go to the store to buy them, you should decide how much space they have in the kitchen. If the bar counter is open, then the chairs can be pushed under the countertop. And if not, they will need to be stored somewhere.
Illumination
Another important attribute in the kitchen is the illumination of the working area. In the case of a rack, the installation of low-power lighting fixtures is also welcome. They can illuminate not only the surface, but also the space in the leg area.
Built-in drawers can also be illuminated for easy selection of accessories or spirits.
Bar pipe
If the living room kitchen with a bar counter is used for its intended purpose, then it is necessary to consider the option of installing a bar pipe. With its help, convenience is added for storing supplies and accessories of the bar itself.
It is also possible to install additional fasteners on the pipe for storing fruits, kitchen utensils and care items (napkins, coasters, paper towels).
Design errors
For a small kitchen, a breakfast bar can be a lifesaver. But you should avoid reckless and thoughtless ideas that can overshadow your stay in the kitchen and create inconvenience.
These include:
- Incorrect location. The rack can become an obstacle to the free movement of people in the kitchen.
- Wrong design choice. The shape and color scheme should be combined with the main furniture in the kitchen and living room.
- Overloaded structure. The desire to get maximum efficiency can lead to the fact that the bar counter from a desired accessory turns into a storage of unnecessary things.
- Inconvenience during operation. Incorrect chair heights or overhanging cabinets can significantly reduce the usefulness of this design element.
To get an idea of what kind of result the owners want to get in the end, you can see photos of successful examples of bar counters.
Examples of kitchens with breakfast bar
The bar top is an extension of the kitchen furniture and serves as a dining table. The upholstery of the chairs and the working apron are made in the same color. The bottom base has built-in cabinets for storing kitchen accessories.
A free-standing set of underframe, bar tube with attachments and lighting separates the kitchen and living area. From the side of the chairs there are niches for bottles and dishes.
A miniature version of the rack assembled from a kitchen worktop and glass shelves. The bar pipe is used as a countertop support.
Another option for an unusual kitchen with a bar is a photo of island-type furniture.
A large faux stone countertop is common.
Unusual bar counters in the style of a transformer - a retractable tabletop is equipped with legs with wheels. A niche in the overall set allows you to store small pouffe chairs there. The design of the rack can also be used as an additional cutting table.
Minimalist ultra-modern acrylic bar. Kitchen accessories are located on shelves on the wall made of the same material as the countertop.
The project of this bar counter provides for the combination of the main element of the kitchen set into a common space with a dining area.
Multi-level type of bar counter - this design hangs over the working area. The seating of the guests on the other side protects them from possible splashes when preparing hot dishes.
This bar counter separates the working area of the kitchen and the living room. The open type of underframe and the absence of hinged elements visually expands the space.
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