How tall to make a breakfast bar

The counter height seating at the kitchen island does make everything visible in the kitchen, including those dirty dishes. If there is a sink on the kitchen island the potential for splashes and water spills is greater without a backsplash to contain the mess.

There are pros and cons to both options that depend on how you want your space to look and function. Choosing counter height or elevated, bar height seating in the kitchen island or peninsula is a design element that requires some thought.

Counter Height VS. Subscribe to our blog! What is Bar Height Seating? The Pros to Bar Height Seating As I mentioned earlier, the advantage of this increase in height is that it can conceal any clutter or dirty dishes from view. Dura Supreme Cabinetry, design by Bella Domicile. What is Counter Height Seating? The Pros to Counter Height Seating Keeping the kitchen island or peninsula all one with one counter height gives you one large continuous work surface.

The one-level, continuous countertop makes a room feel visually larger and more spacious. The standard height is 36 inches but it may vary, relative to your height.

The countertop surface should be about three to four inches below your elbow. The right countertop height makes it easier to perform kitchen tasks comfortably. Set the counter too low and it could lead to back problems; too high and it could cause unnecessary strain on the upper arms. A single-height countertop is the kitchen design standard for several reasons:. The standard height for kitchen bars is 42 inches. In order to eat comfortably, you need to sit on bar stools or eat while standing up.

Many people are more comfortable doing so at that height and often, that reason alone is enough to have a section of the kitchen counter elevated to bar height. Considering the benefits of each, the choice between the two comes down to your taste and style, as well as some pragmatic considerations.

For example, if you or a family member is well into their later years, then you likely need a counter-height breakfast bar. On the other hand, you might want to consider a bar-height breakfast bar if you often host family gatherings. Having trouble choosing between the two? Remember, even if you have enough room to walk, you may need to fit appliances, furniture, or even a wheelchair through the space at one point or another.

Before deciding where to build your bar, find the studs in the wall. You want to mount the bar on at least two studs, which are spaced 16 inches apart behind the drywall. Use a stud finder to locate them, then measure out where the bar will go. Pretty much any solid surface, at least 24 inches deep, could make a beautiful bar top. Consider a solid piece of hardwood, cut straight or with its natural live edge.

Once you choose your top, cut it to size and finish as desired before making the base. This style extends out from a wall, supported by a pedestal at the other end. Homeowners often choose this style to provide a division between the kitchen and family room. For the pedestal, you can purchase a 5-byinch pre-made wooden beam, or use a salvaged porch pillar or an old barn beam.

For this style, you only need the bar top of your choice and a few shelf brackets or architectural corbels. If your bar is over 4 feet long, use more than two. If you already have a kitchen island, adding a breakfast bar is easier than you think. Simply buy and install a new countertop for the island that is a few feet larger on one side to create an overhang. Just opt for another color or material that coordinates equally well with the room.

Here are some ideas to whet your appetite: a kitchen center and breakfast bar , and a breakfast bar on wheels.