9 Kitchen Bars and Islands That Use Space Wisely
With some smart planning you can fit an island or breakfast bar into just about any cookspace
Amanda Pollard
23 May 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Need more work surfaces or just a sociable spot to perch? Take a look at these well-planned kitchens to find out how to squeeze in that island or breakfast bar you want.
Pop out a ledge
You don’t have to go large to get a hardworking breakfast bar. Not only is this mini peninsula big enough for two bar-stools, it also has a cupboard and shelves for extra storage. This end-of-counter surface even helps to demarcate the kitchen from the adjacent living space.
You don’t have to go large to get a hardworking breakfast bar. Not only is this mini peninsula big enough for two bar-stools, it also has a cupboard and shelves for extra storage. This end-of-counter surface even helps to demarcate the kitchen from the adjacent living space.
Take a U-turn
The owners of this bright, open-plan space have cleverly tucked their kitchen into the area next to the stairs. And the U-shaped design has created an instant breakfast bar.
Opting for white and pale grey fittings, including the worktops and stools, helps this substantially-sized seating area blend in.
Discover more contemporary u-shaped kitchens on Houzz
The owners of this bright, open-plan space have cleverly tucked their kitchen into the area next to the stairs. And the U-shaped design has created an instant breakfast bar.
Opting for white and pale grey fittings, including the worktops and stools, helps this substantially-sized seating area blend in.
Discover more contemporary u-shaped kitchens on Houzz
Go round a corner
If your kitchen is located in an open-plan room with a partition wall, get your place to perch by making use of the space like they’ve done here. One run of units continues beyond the wall and the worktop turns the corner to form a ledge for bar-stools to sit neatly under. It’s a really efficient way to use an awkward, unused area.
This idea can be adapted for a room with structural pillars, too.
If your kitchen is located in an open-plan room with a partition wall, get your place to perch by making use of the space like they’ve done here. One run of units continues beyond the wall and the worktop turns the corner to form a ledge for bar-stools to sit neatly under. It’s a really efficient way to use an awkward, unused area.
This idea can be adapted for a room with structural pillars, too.
Book a table
Instead of opting for a purpose-built island/breakfast bar, why not try a wall-fixed table? This one fits nicely at the rear of this narrow kitchen and is the perfect spot for a glass of wine beside the window. And the curved design avoids the danger of sharp edges.
If you can’t install a wall-fixed model, hunt around for a freestanding high table that you can fit into a spare corner of the room.
Instead of opting for a purpose-built island/breakfast bar, why not try a wall-fixed table? This one fits nicely at the rear of this narrow kitchen and is the perfect spot for a glass of wine beside the window. And the curved design avoids the danger of sharp edges.
If you can’t install a wall-fixed model, hunt around for a freestanding high table that you can fit into a spare corner of the room.
Custom design to the space
In this kitchen-diner the owners have managed to fit in quite a roomy island. The L-shaped footprint of the units to the left could have presented a problem, as there might not have been enough room to pass between the ‘wall’ and the island. To overcome this, the designers cut a corner off the island’s table top to provide easier access.
Want more advice on kitchen island sizes and dimensions? Read our expert’s advice
In this kitchen-diner the owners have managed to fit in quite a roomy island. The L-shaped footprint of the units to the left could have presented a problem, as there might not have been enough room to pass between the ‘wall’ and the island. To overcome this, the designers cut a corner off the island’s table top to provide easier access.
Want more advice on kitchen island sizes and dimensions? Read our expert’s advice
Stow storage in the surface
This overhanging worktop is super clever. Not only does it create a seating space, but it contains three nifty drawers too. But it gets better – a simple partition creates storage for glasses above the built-in wine cooler.
More smart kitchen storage hacks to maximise every inch
This overhanging worktop is super clever. Not only does it create a seating space, but it contains three nifty drawers too. But it gets better – a simple partition creates storage for glasses above the built-in wine cooler.
More smart kitchen storage hacks to maximise every inch
Float away
To create the illusion of space, it’s a good idea to keep furniture off the floor. The worktop here is extended from the kitchen units to form a floating peninsula breakfast bar. The lack of base units gives the room a feeling of flow. The designers have also thought carefully about the bar-stools, choosing white tops to ‘melt’ into the surface and wooden legs to blend into the floor.
To create the illusion of space, it’s a good idea to keep furniture off the floor. The worktop here is extended from the kitchen units to form a floating peninsula breakfast bar. The lack of base units gives the room a feeling of flow. The designers have also thought carefully about the bar-stools, choosing white tops to ‘melt’ into the surface and wooden legs to blend into the floor.
Go along the walls
The compact kitchen here has plenty of storage along two walls, so the other wall has been utilised for a streamlined breakfast bar. Two swivel stools are tucked under and can be turned round to face each other or the chef. The narrow surface is large enough to enjoy breakfast and a glass of wine and some nibbles in the evening!
The compact kitchen here has plenty of storage along two walls, so the other wall has been utilised for a streamlined breakfast bar. Two swivel stools are tucked under and can be turned round to face each other or the chef. The narrow surface is large enough to enjoy breakfast and a glass of wine and some nibbles in the evening!
Size doesn’t matter
Sometimes even a small extra work surface is enough to make a difference in a busy kitchen. The compact island here provides a useful spot for preparation and even includes a handy cupboard. Anything larger wouldn’t have been able to fit in the space, so the size of this one is ideal.
Sometimes even a small extra work surface is enough to make a difference in a busy kitchen. The compact island here provides a useful spot for preparation and even includes a handy cupboard. Anything larger wouldn’t have been able to fit in the space, so the size of this one is ideal.
For more surface when needed, an extra worktop slides out from below the existing one.
What do you think of these smart ideas for kitchen breakfast bars and islands? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of these smart ideas for kitchen breakfast bars and islands? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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#6 is pretty top-notch, got to agree. Kitchens #3 & 4 are lovely as well.
Absolutely love #2 but where is the refrigerator located? Refrigerated drawers?
this article is ridiculous for one dealing with limited spaces and ‘squeezing in’. There’s is not a single mention of the dimensions in any of these examples, nor how much space is needed per seat etc. ie the really important information is missing. Photos can be very deceptive. I found this article frustrating and superficial, ‘nice pictures’ school but not terribly useful.