How to determine the size of the bar counter?

What to consider when choosing sizes?

The optimal sizes in each individual case and the height/width/length standards do not always coincide. Therefore, it is better to choose the design parameters individually, focusing on the following indicators:

1. Kitchen size. At a minimum, the length and width of the bar counter in a spacious kitchen or in a small apartment will differ. A small detail in a room of 20 square meters looks scanty, too large in a small kitchen takes up too much space.
2. Layout. Partitions between the kitchen and the living room in studios are usually made higher than the counters in separate kitchens.
3. Age of family members. It will be inconvenient for small children and elderly people to use chairs that are too high, take this into account when determining the height of the bar counter in the kitchen from the floor.
4. Height of residents of the apartment. Just as the height of the work surface varies depending on the height of the hostess, the height of the bar counter in the kitchen from the floor is located at different levels for people of short or tall stature.
5. Planned functionality. The everyday reality is that most often the bar counter is perceived not as a separate element for sitting with a glass of wine, but an important part of the kitchen set. Some people plan to use it to expand the work area, others lack storage space, but most often a bar is a replacement for a dining table.

We will discuss below how the dimensions of the product change depending on the 5 listed nuances.

Standard dimensions

The standard height of a bar counter, as well as its width and length, are average indicators, mainly suitable for people of average height with standard needs. If you are shorter or taller than average, or plan to expand the functions of the bar, you will have to change the dimensions to suit yourself.

Height

The optimal height of the bar counter is selected based on 2 factors: the height of the owners, functionality.

Height

People of average height (160-170 cm) will suit medium counters (110-120 cm). This is higher than the tabletop level (84-90 cm), but it is quite comfortable to stand or sit on special stools at such a table.

The minimum height is 90-95 cm – it will suit short people, but you need suitable chairs for it. However, such seats will not fit the maximum (130 cm), which is suitable for people above average height.

Functionality

For counters used for their intended purpose (drinking, eating), all the requirements described above are relevant.

In order to increase the useful work space due to the bar countertop, it should be made flush with all the kitchen furniture (84-92 centimeters). This option is called a semi-bar counter or peninsula, and lower chairs are required for it.

If the bar is intended to be a separate element that does not depend on the kitchen set, its functionality can be increased by choosing a design combined with an island. Then the main countertop is made flush with the kitchen, and a higher bar shelf with an extension is attached to it. It is convenient to work or sit behind combined islands.

Tip! Countertops combined with a window sill look advantageous in small kitchens. In this case, you can start from the distance from the floor to the window, simply placing the countertop under the sashes. Or install it above the window sill, but then it will be impossible to fully open the frame.

Storage boxes can be placed at any height, the main thing is to add lighting from below to make it more convenient to use.

Width

The width of the bar counter for the kitchen is the second most important factor, after the height.

• Narrow models (~30 cm) do not take up much space and are suitable for drinking drinks. But they cannot be used for cooking or eating, because there is not enough space for a plate or cutting board. This is a great option for an island bar counter connected to a wide tabletop: an additional shelf of 250-300 mm will be enough. Or an item whose main role is to zone the kitchen-living room, and not a practical function.
• On medium (50-60 centimeters) it is convenient to drink or eat, cut food. There is enough space to place not only glasses, but also dishes with snacks or necessary utensils (decanters, ice buckets).
• Original wide products (700 mm or more) are suitable for large kitchens. You can sit on these at the same time on both sides, or combine functions – for example, someone drinks cocktails, someone prepares them, standing on the other side.

Important! The listed requirements do not apply to various wall-mounted structures. If the counter is attached to the wall, its width should be at least 35-40 cm, better – 50-60, so that those sitting can comfortably put their feet. The same applies to the placement of lower cabinets under the table – it is better to leave ~ 40 centimeters from the facade to the edge of the countertop.

Length

The length of the bar counter in the kitchen is often chosen on a residual basis, but in order to use it comfortably, this parameter must comply with accepted standards.

A single standard for length is 600 mm of free space per person. More is possible, less is not.

That is, when designing a bar for 2 seats, the length of the countertop should be at least 1 meter 20 centimeters. A meter will not be enough – it will not be possible for two people to sit comfortably on it. The exception is when a left-handed person and a right-handed person sit next to each other at the table.

How to choose the height of bar stools?

Installing the bar counter on legs is not the end. Ergonomics are out of the question if you have chosen a comfortable tabletop but have chosen the wrong bar stools for it.

The height of the stools under the bar counter is determined strictly by the height of the surface itself: the higher it is, the higher the stools you will need.

• Low. A seat of 60-70 cm is enough for placement under a table of 90-95 cm.
• Medium. Choose semi-bar stools 75-80 for countertops 100-110 centimeters.
• High. For a classic bar 120 cm high, you should buy a stool 80-85 cm.
• Very high. For the raised design of 130, it is more comfortable to sit on the 85-90-centimeter model.

Important! Regular kitchen chairs (440-470 mm) are not suitable for bar counters! Even for countertops flush with the peninsula style set, models that are overestimated to 500-600 are required, which are extremely rare.

Also consider the fact that different seats are sat on differently. For example, on a chair up to 65-70 cm you can reach the floor with your feet, so a footrest in the design is not necessary. But if the stool is higher than average, there must be a footrest – sitting without support is simply unsafe.

As you have already noticed, there are no uniform standards for arranging a bar area. Therefore, its dimensions should be selected individually. The easiest way to do this is in showrooms, where you can sit both at low semi-bar structures and high counters.