"Living indoors has hardly a more pleasant prospect than a well-laid and well-stocked breakfast table." –Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of the Seven Gables
A modern take on the breakfast nook, today's breakfast bar ideas have been reinterpreted as where people eat the most important meal of the day.
A breakfast bar can also be providedkitchen storageand work space. It is often the favorite spot in the home for families and guests to enjoy a light meal at any time of the day.
We've curated an impressive collection of some of the best breakfast bar ideas. Take a look around and get inspired to create your own kitchen breakfast hideaway.
1. Fixed to the counter
You can make a breakfast bar by adding a 10- to 12-inch overhang to an existing kitchen counter.
You can also build a frame on the back of an existing kitchen cabinet and countertop as shown in the video below.
Although this is a long series of videos, it will help you see if your DIY skills are strong enough to tackle this project:
If you have the space, incorporate a breakfast counter into oneKitchen island layout. For an attractive breakfast bar, contrast the countertop with the other countertop materials in the kitchen. For example, use marble of a different color or even a butcher block. Add a few stools under the counter and you have the perfect spot for casual dining.
2. Breakfast stool
An essential part of any breakfast bar, finding the perfect bar stool can seem difficult. Since your family and friends will likely use this area more often than the dining table, comfort should be your first consideration.
A padded and upholstered stool is often more comfortable than a wooden bar stool. However, if you have young children, you may prefer easy cleaning on a hard surface.
If space is an issue, choose bar stools without a backrest so they can fold completely under the bar. So your ticket stays completely free. Although you want your stools to be sturdy, check the weight before purchasing. Some can be surprisingly heavy, making it difficult for young children or the elderly to slide them in and out.
3. Gesang
If you feel like you don't have enough space to bring your breakfast bar ideas to life, look around the corner. Any open plan kitchen or dining room can be transformed into a breakfast bar with a simple shelving unit.
Install a 12" deep breakfast bar shelf 40-42" off the floor or whatever size will fit in the designated corner.
A folding kitchen bar is another option when space is particularly tight. Buy collapsible wooden stools and you have a "Murphy" dining area that can be assembled and stored as needed. Add a lamp that illuminates the countertop, since the corners are usually dark.
4. Cut the media wall
The front of a wall cutout is a great place to place a functional kitchen bar. Park a freestanding kitchen island in front of the cut-out and pull-out benches below.
You can also hire a contractor to install 10- to 12-inch shelving that extends through the cutout and into the living room or dining room. The additional bar stool will come in handy for the next meal.
If you have a half wall in your dining room or kitchen area, the top is another great spot for a raised breakfast bar. Increase it if you need to match the standard 40" to 42" bar height.
Adding a countertop to your half-wall multiplies your available workspace and creates additional space for a coffee maker or other small appliance.
5. Farm
Transform a kitchen island into a farmhouse style breakfast bar by adding an overlay and butcher block countertop. Shaker cabinets work well as part of a farm breakfast bar island. Paint the island white, black, or a soft, earthy pastel to stay true to the country style.
Country style bar stool ideas often mix wood and metal accents. Look for brass or bronze benches with wooden seats. Stainless steel appliances are a welcome touch. Consider adding a small refrigerator, icemaker, or second dishwasher to kitchen island units.
6. Industrial
Capture an industrial breakfast bar vibe by adding an all-metal island to your kitchen. Whether you opt for a matte black painted island or add rusty corrugated iron panels, metal is a must in an industrial style kitchen. A valuable piece of industrial seating, wooden benches add an earthy feel hidden beneath a metal kitchen island.
Dark monochromatic tones pair well with industrial design ideas, so opt for an espresso brown floor to anchor your bold new kitchen bar. Wood, tiles or painted concrete remain true to the industrial style. Add an exposed brick wall to the side of the bar for added appeal with an industrial flair.
7. Casual dining
If you were to ask people who have a breakfast bar, they would probably say that casual dining is their favorite pastime at this resort. Not only is the breakfast bar preferable to the dining room for family meals, it also offers welcome additional seating for entertaining.
You don't have to worry about decorating a breakfast bar as often your breakfast bar is more functional than decorative.
An island breakfast bar is perfectplace for coffeeor brunch with some friends. Your children will probably ask that all meals be eaten within this comfort zone. It's also a great workspace to chop up the flour and chocolate chips and bake on a rainy day.
8. Cocina
One of the nice benefits of having a breakfast counter for the kitchen is that it gives your guests a convenient place to hang out while you cook. Comfortable seating, like an upholstered bar stool, makes the space even more inviting.
If you can, hook up water and electricity to the kitchen island breakfast bar. This is how you create a kitchenette in your kitchen, a perfect second workplace when preparing large meals or even when doing handicrafts.
9. I form an L
An L-shaped or peninsula-style breakfast bar extends into the kitchen at a 90-degree angle from the adjacent cabinetry and counter. Although one end is essentially anchored to the wall, your family and guests will love gathering around this style of breakfast bar.
An L-shaped design can provide more seating than a breakfast bar with a counter. You can also provide workspace on the smaller part of the "L" and seating on the longer side.
10. Modern
Modern floor plans include more open space, turning the breakfast bar into an inviting island in the middle. People are drawn to these social hotspots and gather around them during celebrations or visits. A sleek, uncluttered and modern kitchen is the perfect setting for a simple yet useful breakfast bar.
While simplicity is key in modern kitchen design, it is very contemporary to combine natural materials such as marble, wood, metal and stone.
White cabinets with white quartz countertops are a modern and glamorous combination that never goes out of style. A beige floor made of light oak herringbone laminate gives your modern design ideas a light and airy Scandinavian touch.
For more information, see:54 modern kitchen ideas
11. Outdoors
Sometimes the best place to build a breakfast bar is outside, especially if you live in a temperate climate. If you often have barbecues or use an outdoor kitchen in the summer, an outdoor breakfast bar is a must for casual meals. Install weatherproof kitchen cabinets below to store all your outdoor cooking utensils.
If patio space is limited, a collapsible Murphy bar may be the best option. Watch this video to see how a DIY enthusiast made the perfect party or breakfast bar in his backyard:
And youlive in an apartmentwith porch, check out bar top options that attach directly to porch railing.
For more information, see:33 outdoor kitchen ideas
12. Klein
Even a small breakfast bar adds a lot of usability to your kitchen. Not only does it provide extra storage and worktop space, but it's also a great place to serve buffet style food during a party.
Installing flat panel cabinets under the counter can provide a convenient place to store your toaster, blender, and other small appliances when not in use.
Even in a study, you can have a corner that is the perfect spot for small breakfast bar ideas. When giving your small space a complete makeover, remember that bright colors are bigplatesIt can help make a small kitchen more spacious.
13. Mesa
If you want a breakfast bar but your landlord won't let you build one, buy a narrow table. A counter-sized table can be tucked into a corner and become a perfectly functional breakfast bar. In fact, any type of table can potentially become a breakfast bar if placed creatively in the room.
If you have a full-height table or desk that you want to convert into a breakfast bar, ask a handyman if they can extend its legs. You may need to put in all new legs to raise the breakfast bar to the full height of the bar stool.
14. Wand
A wall-mounted breakfast counter may be the best way to add this feature while also conserving available space. Add tofloating shelvesabove the bar to increase your storage space. Extra cans, cups and glasses can be stored on these wall shelves.
Hang a large mirror over the breakfast bar to visually expand the space. Or mount a flat screen TV above the bar. This will make it easier to see the weather and traffic while you eat your morning cereal.
15. Ventana
Don't overlook the space under a window as a potential breakfast spot. In fact, a breakfast counter on your windowsill might be the best spot of all when you have a great view. Install simple shelving at counter or table height and add seating that complements your overall concept.
If your windowsill is wide enough, line green plants or succulents along it to bring the outside in. A window-mounted bird feeder can entice your feathered friends to dine with you on the other side of the glass.
Make sure you have blinds or curtains to tone down the bright morning light, especially if the window faces east.