Design of a compact kitchen with a bar counter for convenience.

Functionality of the interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter

As a rule, in small kitchens it is quite difficult to allocate a special place for a dining group, and the need to quickly have breakfast or lunch exists. This is where a bar counter comes in handy. It does not take up much space, it is comfortable to sit at. In addition, it is also an additional surface for cooking.

A standard counter is a tabletop on a support. If space allows, a wide tabletop can be placed on a cabinet so that the knees of people sitting next to it fit under it. The photo shows a bar counter with a work surface and a sink built into it. This allows you to use the entire width of the counter when working, and organize a mini-dining area for two or three people.

In the interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter, the latter often functions as a space divider, which is relevant for studio apartments, when the kitchen and living room are located in the same room.

Design of a small kitchen with a bar counter: placement options

The location for installing the counter is determined based on the size and shape of the room allocated for the kitchen.

• Perpendicular. The bar table is attached to the main work area perpendicularly, forming an L- or U-shaped kitchen set in the plan. In small corner kitchens, a bar counter sometimes becomes the only option for conveniently combining a work and dining table. It can be round or rectangular in shape and separate the cooking area from the rest of the space.

• Parallel. In this version, the bar island is located parallel to the kitchen unit.

• Window sill. If the kitchen window offers a beautiful view, it makes sense to arrange a mini-dining area near the window sill. It practically does not take up any separate space and is multifunctional. Depending on the shape of the room and the location of the window in a small kitchen, the bar counter is located either perpendicular to the window opening or along it, with the countertop and window sill usually forming a single unit.

• Along the wall. This option is used when they want to extend the work surface and get a place where they can drink coffee and have lunch if necessary, but there is no space for a perpendicular arrangement.

• Island. In this case, the bar counter is located separately in the center of the room. The island can be of any shape and separate the cooking area from the rest of the space, in the case of combining the kitchen and living room.

Interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter: examples

• Work surface. If there is not enough space for cooking, the most logical option is to use the counter as an additional work area. It can be installed at an angle to the main area, parallel to the work area, or, if the room is elongated, make it an extension.

• Plus a table. The bar counter can be combined with a regular table, if there is room for such a structure. In this case, the countertops are at different heights.

• Plus a storage system. The bar counter is combined with a cabinet, which increases storage options in a limited area. The cabinet can consist of open niches, closed pull-out sections or drawers. Equipped with wheels, it can be freely moved around the kitchen.

Tip: A small kitchen with a bar counter, located in the same room as a living room or recreation area, will look isolated, remaining in the overall volume and not visually reducing the space.

Design of a small kitchen with a bar counter: placing accents

In a small room, it is inappropriate to use pretentious, complex shapes, therefore, to prevent the kitchen from looking too simple, it is worth using decorative elements that emphasize the functional purpose.

For example, even in the smallest kitchen with a bar counter, you can place additional shelves or racks for glasses, beautiful tea utensils – they will serve as a kind of decoration.

Another way to highlight a winning element of the decor and enhance its decorative effect is additional lighting. So, you can place decorative pendants above the counter, or fix a row of directional lamps on the ceiling.

The interior of a small kitchen with a bar counter looks expensive and elegant if its base is made of natural materials, for example, lay out a supporting counter from brick, or make it from wood, decorating it with carvings – it all depends on the chosen style of kitchen design.

Since the bar counter itself is not so often found in kitchens, especially small ones, it is already its decoration. Additionally, you can enhance the effect by using contrasting tones in its decoration.

Small kitchen with a bar counter: design elements

In some cases, placing a stationary counter is difficult, usually this happens if the kitchen has an inconvenient shape or is too small. But this is not a reason to abandon it altogether. For such cases, special designs are provided that will allow you to enjoy all the benefits of this piece of furniture without taking up much space.

• Folding. Even a small free space near the wall can be used to place a bar counter there. In this case, it is attached directly to the wall on hinges, and the base is made foldable. Such a design is easy to assemble, and just as easy to disassemble when it is not needed. It can also be attached to the windowsill.

• Pull-out. This option is suitable for lovers of multifunctional furniture. It is more expensive, but also more effective. This photo of a small kitchen with a bar counter shows one of the options for such a pull-out design. The base is equipped with a wheel, and when the tabletop is pulled out, it moves out of the provided niche, taking its place.

Materials for making a bar counter

As a rule, for finishing standard materials are used. Sometimes they can differ in color from the main furniture, if this is provided for by the design. For the manufacture of countertops, stone is used, both natural and artificial, chipboard with a coating, wood, or the surface is laid out with tiles.

The most popular recently has become a composite material, outwardly similar to marble, but distinguished by high density and strength, as well as a lower price. Corian is a plastic material, from which it is easy to obtain a product of almost any shape. This is especially convenient if you need to equip a small corner kitchen with a bar counter, stylish and modern.

The rounded shape of the countertop is not only beautiful, but also convenient, since in a small room, also filled with furniture and appliances, protruding corners can cause bruises. The use of durable glass as a material for the countertop can visually lighten the structure. The material for the base is selected based on the style of the kitchen and the selected type of counter.

Tip: Above the bar counter, you can place shelves for tea, coffee and glasses, decorative items – small vases, beautifully shaped bottles, candles. This will become an additional decorative accent of your interior.