100 Small Modular Kitchen Design Ideas _ Open kitchen bar design ideas 2024 .

Hello , everyone , and welcome to the core puzzle .

Today , we'll be telling you about casual kitchens and their breakfast bar basics .

Breakfast bars are the perfect complement to today's popular open floor plans , by allowing for easy interactions and casual gatherings .

Whether considered a breakfast bar , island , or peninsula , an extension of cabinets , countertops , and sometimes sink or appliances .

It serves as a visual foil between the kitchen and other living spaces while maintaining a sense of openness .

This kitchen workhorse also provides much needed storage and counter space in what is arguably the busiest room in the house from both a functional and social standpoint .

And of course , the breakfast bar serves as an additional eating area , particularly for quick and casual meals like breakfast .

Breakfast bar height options .

Generally , there are 3 standard high options for breakfast bar counters .

30 inches , 36 inches , and 42 inches above the floor .

Within these parameters , the counter height is often staggered so that the work area is either higher or lower than the portion intended for eating , depending on the individual application .

To provide an accessible kitchen , the counter workspace should be at least 30 inches wide , and countertops are in the range of 28 to 34 inches above the floor .

However , there is no one size fits all solution , and in fact , varied counter heights may be the best solution for meeting the needs of different people .

Work surface , 36 inches and eating surface , 30 inches .

For some , this example provides the best of both worlds .

A comfortable 36 inch height work surface with a lowered 30 inch high area for eating .

This approach is often chosen for older adults since it allows for standard kitchen chairs that provide easier access and greater comfort than typically achieved with a standard bars tool .

This height also works well for someone in a wheelchair .

The lower stools or chairs , for example , 16 to 23 inches can be a safer option for children .

This design could also provide an opportunity to add a decorative tile on the wall between the two countertops for visual interest , particularly when seated at the breakfast bar .

36 inches workspace and eating area .

This example provides the most counter area with no distinction between the eating and working space .

The benefit of this height for the eating area is that it allows for hip height or counter height stools .

For example , 24 to 27 inches , which are comfortable and easy to get in and out of , particularly for older adults .

As with the previous example , one potential drawback may be in keeping the work counter neat and tidy , as everything is on full display from the surrounding living areas .

36 workspace and 42 inches eating area .

This example is preferred by some because it hides items on the workspace , like dirty dishes or preparation tools from other living spaces .

When entertaining , the higher portion can be used as a buffet line with removal of the stools .

The potential drawback for this configuration is the requirement of bar height stools .

For example , 28 to 33 inches which can pose access and safety challenges for children or older adults .

Pull up a seat .

Bar stools are the typical choice for sitting around a kitchen counter , providing easy style and versatility for an open floor plan .

A key consideration is determining the best option for your situation .

As a general rule , we recommend tools with full back for maximum comfort and safety , or a low back if you want to maintain visual access into the kitchen while still providing the added security and stability of having some back support .

Just be sure to consider the width of the stool , including arms , when determining how many will fit at your counter .

The recommended minimal distance between stools is 6 inches for stools up to 18 inches wide and 8 to 10 inches for larger width stools .

When determining an appropriate height , we recommend leaving 10 to 12 inches between the seat and the underside of the surface .

There are also adjustable options providing flexibility to meet the needs of people of all sizes .

Avoid tools that are too top heavy or have an arrow base that would allow them to tip over easily .

Lightweight options provide desired flexibility to move them around as needed .

Our firm's internal design checklist also recommends selecting stools with footrests to make them more comfortable and functional than those that leave your legs dangling .

If you prefer stools with arms , we recommend selecting stools that swivel to make it easier to get in and out of the stool without having to back away from the countertop .

This is especially helpful for bar height tools .

Another space planning consideration for a breakfast bar is whether the space behind the chairs is a part of the traffic flow .

If that's the case , allow at least 16 inches of space behind where a seated diner would be .

Particularly , when incorporating universal design principles to allow passage for a person in a wheelchair .

Considering these options in advance will improve the functionality and comfort in your kitchen , which is probably the most popular room in the house .

When designed correctly , the breakfast bar will make your kitchen more functional and efficient , and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years .

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