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Kitchen snack bar designs


Beautiful Kitchen Breakfast Bars to Copycat

By

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim

Ashley Knierim is a home decor expert and product reviewer of home products for The Spruce. Her design education began at a young age. She has over 10 years of writing and editing experience, formerly holding editorial positions at Time and AOL.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 05/13/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Your breakfast bar is often the centerpiece of the kitchen. Not only is it the focal point of the entire room, but it's where you entertain and share meals with your loved ones. The idea of the "social kitchen" is incredibly popular, so if you have space to add a breakfast bar, there's a good chance you will. Even if you have a small kitchen, you can probably add a breakfast bar for two.

Here we've rounded up some of the best breakfast bar ideas for every style of kitchen.

33 Kitchen Island Breakfast Bar Ideas for Countertop Seating (With Pictures)

Home Projects

Decorating

Ideas & Inspiration

Kitchen Projects

by Tess Wilson

updated May 26, 2021

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

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The breakfast bar may have started out as just a place to scarf your morning cereal, but as anyone who’s ever been in a home with one can attest, if there’s a kitchen island with seating, that’s where everyone will be hanging out, guaranteed.

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They’re great for people who love to cook too. It allows party guests to have some fun with the person who’s handling the food prep, and provides a handy spot for kids to finish up homework while their parent is getting dinner done.

No matter how big and fabulous your home is, matter how long your dining table or how cozy your breakfast nook, everybody is inevitably going to hang out in the kitchen, and breakfast bars give them a place to do just that. So pull up a bar stool and prepare to get inspired by the next-level breakfast bars below.

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1. Fun With Pink

Emily Murray, the founder and editor of The Pink House, says her favorite element of her whimsical London home is “The Bert & May pink-tile-clad marble breakfast bar. The tiles are such a delicious shade of pink and I love to perch on my gold Bend Goods counter stool and watch the bright green parakeets roosting in the trees outside.”

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2. Pop of Green

The seafoam green bar stools add a welcome pop of color to the neutral palate of this kitchen, and add much-needed extra seating to this 500-square-foot Toronto apartment.

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3. Rustic Chic

Carina Michelli’s favorite part of her Instagram-famous Buenos Aires kitchen is the island. She says, “When designing the kitchen I imagined it white with a long rustic table. I love all the ways we use it, from my first coffee at dawn to family dinner; everything happens here.”

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4. Tons of Seating

This massive kitchen island can seat five with room to spare and is the homeowner’s favorite element of their California house.

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5. Bright and Airy

This green concrete island in this Melbourne, Australia home adds an element of color and whimsy to the all-white kitchen. Says homeowner Chelsea Ellis, “It gave me the chance to bring in some warmth with the wood and personality with the color and tiles behind the island” and adds “more space and seating for the family. It has worked out so well that the dining table is getting some long service leave.”

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6. Classic Marble

This marble-topped island has plenty of space for baking for Joy Wilson, aka Joy the Baker, in her New Orleans home. “I’ve never lived in a house with this much open space and it feels really wonderful to have friends over and be able to make a big mess gathered around the main kitchen island,” she says.

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7. A Clever IKEA Hack

With no upper cabinets and minimal storage space, the island is what makes this open LA loft’s kitchen function. Says resident Jack Strutz, the island serves multiple purposes: “[It’s] a great gathering place for hosting dinners, prep space for cooking, much needed storage space for kitchen items, and a home for the microwave and toaster oven.” And bonus, it’s an IKEA hack! The counter’s top and island are the IKEA Karlby and “I had the metal leg custom designed by a local metal shop [Steel Impression] to help support the counter top. ”

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8. Industrial Strength

This breakfast bar allows for chatting during dishwashing, allowing one to feel involved in the festivities while doing this hated chore.

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9. Color Contrast

Though the overhang on this island is fairly minimal, “[the] generous counter island can fit all of the little ones for breakfast or snack time.”

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10. Warm and Wooden

This smart kitchen setup allows diners to eat their breakfast while gazing out the window and/or contemplating the day’s to-do list on the chalkboard refrigerator.

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11. Striking Legs

Here’s another example of a situation in which the stools fit all the way under the island, keeping the walking areas clear. The seating area was created by augmenting an island with a tabletop.

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12. Farmhouse Inspiration

“The island gives additional counter space and is a casual spot for the family to share a meal.” While the high bench provides ample seating, “having the family room right off the kitchen now allows everyone to hang out close to one another during meal preparation—without having too many cooks in the kitchen.”

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13. Sleek Minimalism

“Friends love coming over for dinner and having a drink at the kitchen island while Nick and Julia finish cooking.” Who wouldn’t want to belly up to a quartz-wrapped bar, especially with a television right at hand?!

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14. High Shine

Unusually, there is seating on both sides of this kitchen island, while clear “stools from CB2 allow the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows to pass through and fill the kitchen. ”

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15. Weathered Wood

In another rare stools-on-both-sides arrangement, lab stools from Craigslist are positioned on each side of a DIY island made from a restaurant cart.

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16. Polished Waterfall

The most important meal of the day is any meal eaten at this gloriously marble-clad breakfast bar.

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17. HIgh-Backed Chairs

This breakfast bar exactly fits four counter chairs from Restoration Hardware, especially convenient since the dining room is at a distance from the kitchen.

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18. Extra Space

Up to seven stools could fit around this island, allowing lots of folks to eat within viewing range of the living room’s television.

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19.

Floating Island

Two delicate stools fit under this slim custom-made floating island, but there would be room to seat eight, if desired.

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20. Concrete Style

Poured concrete counters by Concrete Elegance top a generously proportioned island devoted to dining—there is no dining room—in this totally renovated kitchen.

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21. Tucked-Away Seating

Two stools are tucked, nearly invisibly, into the end of this long kitchen island.

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22. Mixed and Matched

The slim proportions of this island nonetheless allow it to seat at least four diners, with room left over for a stove, utensils, and essential ingredients.

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23. Bright Whimsy

There’s room to tuck these adorable stools all the way under this IKEA island.

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24. Motorcycle Mornings

Diners can perch on the adjustable, leather upholstered stools—or pull the 1967 Triumph up to the breakfast bar.

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25. Butcher Block Basics

This island has the look and functionality of a butcher block, while allowing room for in-kitchen seating.

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26. Thrifted Finds

Island seating needn’t be limited to stools: these thrifted chairs provide a formal dining experience at an rustic antique island.

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27. Quirky Cushions

This custom-built island has only the smallest of lips, but it’s enough space to accommodate these quirky, cushy stools.

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28. Perfect for Parties

The close proximity of the dining table to the breakfast bar means that a large group can dine companionably in the space, while an integrated stove opens up the available work space in the kitchen.

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29. A Sunny Spot

Here’s another example of island seating that’s nice and close to the table, perfect for large gatherings. (The island can serve as a kids’ table, as kids generally love stools.)

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30. Cozy and Casual

The nearby dining room table provides ample seating, but the island—which holds the kitchen’s second sink—allows for cozy, casual dining.

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31. White and Light

This airy kitchen features the ultra-rare breakfast bar which not only provides seating for 10, but is unusually, at chair, rather than stool, height.

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32. Swing Time

This San Francisco home’s incredible island features swinging seating from Dot & Bo—though there are two CB2 stools tucked under the end for diners who get airsick.

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33. Neon Bright

And then let’s finish with this: incorporated LED lighting. Make your breakfast bar a nightclub! Pity the poor diner who gets stuck on the end with neither leg room nor exciting lighting.

80 photos, kitchen design with breakfast bar

It is not for nothing that bar counters for the kitchen are gaining more and more popularity in interior design: they are comfortable, roomy, look stylish, and also help save space. Only in order to correctly fit the design into the ensemble of the room, it is necessary to have an idea about the configuration, model range and other features of this type of furniture. More details in our article!

What are they and why are they needed

A bar counter is a high tabletop on supports, which is often a continuation of the working area. She usually comes with bar stools, and the whole ensemble creates a relaxing stylish atmosphere.

But in addition to external aesthetics, bar counters also have a number of advantages that distinguish them from other types of furniture. Unlike conventional tables, they often include extra space for crockery and other kitchen utensils. You can even fit large appliances into the rack, like a dishwasher or an electric oven. Owners of a small area will appreciate this property.

In addition, a complete kitchen bar counter is considered a multifunctional item that saves space. It can include not only dining, but also working areas, not to mention storage spaces. A kitchen with such furniture looks modern, fits many styles, but more on that later.

However, don't run to the store right away: despite the significant advantages, this solution is not suitable for every kitchen. Firstly, the racks are rarely able to accommodate more than three people, and large models look out of place even in a spacious room, resembling the interior of a bar.

Secondly, due to the monolithic design, the rack is not mobile, like, for example, a dining table, which, if necessary, can be moved to another location.

Types of bar counters for the kitchen

To enjoy the advantages of bar counters, owners of apartments with different layouts could enjoy, today there are a large variety of their types. They differ in shape, location options and equipment.

Island bar counter

The interior of the kitchen is built around this item, which can be combined with the work area. Suitable for large rooms or combined with the living room. Such bar counters differ in shape: semicircular, U- or L-shaped. They are a separate part of the kitchen set, made in the same style, which creates the effect of integrity.

Bar counter built into furniture

The bar counter is part of a countertop or other element, while continuing in any direction. There are many placement options: as part of a kitchen island, work area, and sometimes even a window sill.

The last look is perfect for small kitchens as it makes use of the normally inactive area next to the window. Besides, who doesn't enjoy looking at the scenery while having breakfast?

Bar counter-partition

A popular solution for studio apartments with an open layout that calls for logical zoning of the premises. In this case, the bar counter can separate the kitchen from the living room, while offering a comfortable place to eat. Often it is a continuation of the wall and is located parallel to the main furniture.

Level bar counter

This is a narrow platform that is installed above the workplace from the opposite side, without taking up extra space. The only recommendation is to purchase higher chairs.

Mini bar counter

When choosing a bar counter for a small kitchen, it is better to pay attention to small models with laconic equipment. Often these are a kind of bar "wings" no more than a meter long, which can accommodate no more than two people. But for many small-sized owners who live alone, this will be enough.

Bar counter materials

Not only the appearance of the bar for the kitchen depends on the choice of the necessary material, but also the characteristics, the method of care and, of course, the cost. Consider the most common options.

Laminated chipboard

One of the most affordable types at a relatively low price. At the same time, laminated chipboard offers a wide variety of design solutions, imitations of stone, wood or unusual prints. It has high resistance to external influence of moisture, high temperatures, which is important for the kitchen. But due to low strength and non-environmental friendliness, such a model will not last a long time.

Acrylic

The advantage of this material is its flexibility and suppleness - it can be used to create furniture of various shapes, with bends, bulges, even curly elements. It will fit perfectly into the interior in a modern style, where interesting design ideas are appropriate. A futuristic kitchen is definitely not complete without the glossy, flowing surface characteristic of acrylic.

Natural stone

Has a luxurious, rich texture that can be used as a decorative component in itself. Bar counters for the kitchen made of natural stone are usually ordered complete with other kitchen furniture, since the “consonance” of materials in space plays an important role. But keep in mind that this is an expensive species that requires special care.

Glass

Of course, not the most practical solution, which even after special processing remains fragile when compared with other materials. In addition, the glass is quite cold and "unfriendly" to the touch. But the unique appearance of the products eliminates all the shortcomings if aesthetics plays a key role in the interior. The transparent texture, as well as the variability of colors, will make such a bar counter a key element in the kitchen. Works well with other materials.

How to fit into the interior

Bar counters are a modern type of furniture, but this does not mean that they cannot fit into different interior styles. At the same time, they often come with a kitchen set, which simplifies the creation of a holistic image of the interior.

Classic style kitchen bar counter

Classic puts forward universal criteria for each element, adjusting to which, you can harmoniously fit even a bar counter. It is best to use natural materials, preferably wood, with carved inserts, patterns and laconic equipment.

The rack in this style should have a standard, rectangular shape. It is recommended to give preference to the island model, only there should be a lot of space in the kitchen for such a solution. However, the classics always love large areas, so this point must be taken into account in advance.

Modern kitchen bar counter

Things are different with the modern kitchen, the content of which is primarily functional. The main requirement is that the bar counter should take into account the features of the space, becoming its logical continuation.

The decor is not shaped details, but the material, the combination of matt and gloss, the shape, which can be presented in all possible options, as well as the color scheme.

Provence style kitchen bar counter

Style has common features with the classic, but has a completely different image. Provence is lightness, naturalness and simplicity. The bar counter for such a kitchen should be made of natural wood, and then painted white. However, any tone from the pastel range will look organic here.

It is recommended to give preference to antiques, with noticeable layers of time and history. But for this effect, you can artificially age the furniture - such a solution will help create the right atmosphere.

Minimalist kitchen bar counter

Everything is simple with minimalism - laconic colors, shapes, lines, absence of decorative elements. Geometry plays a huge role in such an interior, so even the bar counter resembles rather a rectangular piece of material, the beauty of which is revealed in an ensemble with other elements.

Bar counter for kitchen in loft style

The bar counter will look most natural in such a kitchen. The loft is characterized by a combination of details of industrial or public spaces, the composition of which surprisingly acquires a cozy character in a private room. Wooden as well as concrete surfaces look very stylish and appropriate here. It is better if the texture has a slightly raw look.

Bar counters for a small kitchen

Not everyone is a happy owner of a spacious apartment, where you can easily fit a bar counter of any model. But there are optimal options, using which your kitchen will acquire a unique and stylish look.

Let's note right away that you will have to give up a full-fledged bar counter! In a small kitchen, it will be possible to accommodate a countertop up to 90 cm, which is part of a wall or other items.

The island model can be purchased if the kitchen is combined with the living room, and the furniture plays the role of a partition. Just make sure that there is enough space between the parallel headsets for free movement.

Mini stands are the best option for small spaces. Indeed, even without a complete set, bar countertops are better than ordinary dining tables, as they take up less space.

If the window area is empty, you can install the post on the window sill. A two-level model will allow you to combine several zones without loss of comfort.

Bar counter for the kitchen - photo

As proof that bar counters are a versatile and stylish option for the kitchen, we invite you to familiarize yourself with our photo selection, which clearly illustrates the variety of solutions. Happy viewing!

Video: Kitchen design with breakfast bar

118 photos (real) + 7 types + nuances

Let's look at 7 types of bar counters and their place in kitchen design (on real photos), as many types of countertops for them, and how to fit all this into the interior of the apartment.