A breakfast bar is just a relaxed area in your kitchen where you can pull up a stool and eat your meal. It may be little more than a shelf in the corner of an island or a brief overhang at one end of the island, or it may stretch the entire length of an island and include anything from four to six stools. “A breakfast bar is a wonderful way to get more out of your kitchen.”
What is a breakfast bar?
A breakfast bar is just a relaxed area in your kitchen where you can pull up a stool and eat your meal. It may be little more than a shelf in the corner of an island or a brief overhang at one end of the island, or it may stretch the entire length of an island and include anything from four to six stools.
According to Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Industrial Design at Life Kitchens, “A breakfast bar is a wonderful way to get more out of your kitchen.” “A breakfast bar is a great way to get more out of your kitchen.” “Breakfast bars keep everyone socially linked in the area and can make it easier for hosts to cook away while guests speak,” says one source.
“Breakfast bars keep everybody in the space socially linked.” Breakfast bar ideas for kitchen living have evolved in recent years to incorporate another place to work from home, one that is not out of the coffee maker.
What should you consider when planning a breakfast bar?
Location is probably going to be the very first thing you think about. Some floor plans, such as those that have an island or peninsula, are more naturally suited to accommodate a breakfast bar than others.
Allow at least 60 centimeters, but ideally 90 centimeters, behind the breakfast bar for people to pass by. This is the most important thing to consider about in terms of position. It shouldn’t ever result in any kind of obstruction.
According to Simon Boocock, Managing Director of CRL Stone, any surface that is used for a breakfast bar should be durable, easy to wipe clean, and ideally resistant to scratches and stains as well. “In terms of materials, any surface used for a breakfast bar should be easy to wipe clean.”
Quartz and stones require relatively little upkeep, but they are harsh on glassware and can make your arms feel chilly. Despite these drawbacks, they are still very low maintenance. A fantastic alternative would be to use quartz for the primary work surfaces in your kitchen and a surface with more warmth, such as wood, for the breakfast bar.
What height should a breakfast bar be?
If you plan the height of the breakfast bar according to the dimensions of the counter stools or bar stools which are the two most common types of stools, you will find it much simpler to shop for stools. However, there are no hard and fast laws regarding the ideal height of a breakfast bar.
A counter stool also referred to as a kitchen stool, is designed to be used at breakfast bars that are at the same height as a typical kitchen worktop. At this height, which is around 90-95 centimeters or 35-37 inches from the ground, the stools range in height from 60-75 centimeters or 24-30 inches (to seat height).
A bar stool is designed to be used at elevated breakfast bars, such as those that are freestanding or that have a raised section built into an island or peninsula unit. If this is how you like to sit at the bar, choose a height of between 100 and 106 centimeters (39 and 42 inches), and look for bar stools with a seat height of at least 75 centimeters (30 inches).
Shopping for bar stools need not be stressful if you select a model with an adjustable height, which allows the seat to be positioned at a higher level for youngsters and a lower level for adults.
Breakfast Bar Recipe
• Step 1
Lightly grease a square cake tin measuring 20 centimeters and line it with baking parchment.
• Step 2
Place the dry fruit in a basin designed for mixing. After adding the seeds, oats, and cereal, thoroughly combine the ingredients.
• Step 3
Place the butter, sugar, and golden syrup in the saucepan and stir to combine. While swirling with a spatula and cooking the mixture over low heat on the stovetop, the butter and sugar should melt.
• Step 4
Turn off the heat and then add the dry ingredients to the saucepan while it is still cold. Coat all of the components with the syrup mixture by thoroughly mixing them.
• Step 5
The ingredients should be poured into the prepared baking tray. Make sure to press the mixture down evenly using the spatula. Bake for 20 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Celsius with the fan), then allow cooling fully before cutting into squares or fingers. Store for up to three days in an airtight container that is, if they last that long!
Summary:
A breakfast bar is a relaxed area in your kitchen where you can pull up a stool and eat. It may be little more than a shelf or an overhang, or it could stretch the length of an island. Some floor plans are more naturally suited to accommodate a breakfast bar than others.
Healthiest Breakfast Bars
Kind Dark Chocolate Cocoa Breakfast Bars
A combination of oats, amaranth, millet, buckwheat, and quinoa contributes to the 22 grams of whole grains that are contained in just two of these wholesome bars.
Whole grains have been associated with several health benefits, one of which is a decreased likelihood of developing heart disease.
According to the findings of one study, reducing your risk of heart disease by consuming three servings, or approximately 90 grams, of whole grains daily may be beneficial.
| Calories: | 220 |
|---|---|
| Fat: | 8 grams |
| Protein: | 4 grams |
| Carbs: | 33 grams |
| Sugar: | 11 grams |
| Fiber: | 5 grams |
Kashi Honey Almond Flax Chewy Granola Bars
Kashi’s honey almond flax chewy granola bars are a nutritious choice for you to make first thing in the morning since they contain beneficial fats that come from almonds and flax seeds.
One bar delivers roughly 20 percent of the Daily Value for the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid known as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). This amount is equivalent to 300 milligrams (mg).
| Calories: | 140 |
|---|---|
| Fat: | 5 grams |
| Protein: | 3 grams |
| Carbs: | 23 grams |
| Sugar: | 7 grams |
| Fiber: | 3 grams |
RXBAR Coconut Chocolate
RXBAR products are a pleasant option for breakfast on the go because they are rich with protein from egg whites and nuts. This makes them an excellent choice.
Eating a breakfast that is high in protein has been linked to feeling fuller for longer and having fewer cravings for food throughout the day, both of which can be beneficial for weight loss. RXBAR offers a wide variety of flavors, including some of the most popular ones like blueberry, banana chocolate walnut, lemon, and coconut chocolate. One of the most delicious tastes is coconut chocolate.
| Calories: | 210 |
|---|---|
| Fat: | 9 grams |
| Protein: | 12 grams |
| Carbs: | 23 grams |
| Sugar: | 13 grams |
| Fiber: | 5 grams |
Summary:
Kashi’s honey almond flax chewy granola bars contain beneficial fats that come from almonds and flax seeds. Eating a breakfast high in protein has been linked to feeling fuller for longer and having fewer cravings for food throughout the day, both of which can be beneficial for weight loss.
Breakfast Bar Ideas
First things first: before you get carried away with ideas for an Instagram-worthy breakfast bar, figure out how many stools you want to have room for. If all you need is some peace to check your social media accounts, then a single seat hidden away in a corner is the perfect solution.
But if you want to take the time to enjoy breakfast together as a family, you’ll need to make sure that everyone has a seat. Allow at least 50 centimeters of width per stool in addition to approximately 15 centimeters on either side for easy access.
To this, George Forsyth, Director of Drew Forsyth & Co., adds, “Don’t Forget to Consider How Much Space the Stools Will Take Up in the Room When They Are Being Used.” You will need to ensure that there is adequate room behind the seated visitors so that other people can pass by without being trapped!
1. Tuck a breakfast bar into the corner
If you do not have an island or another surface in the kitchen that you can spare, you might want to think about constructing a breakfast bar that is separate from the rest of the kitchen in a calm area that is away from any busy entrances or exits.
Move it further away from the corner so that there is room for additional stools and you won’t have to sit with your back to the room. This will make the experience more social.
Make it extremely utilitarian by adding storage for tableware and breakfast supplies both above and below the surface. By utilizing the same worktop as the kitchen, not only will a sense of coherence be created, but it will also prove to be extremely practical in terms of easy cleaning and resistance to stains.
2. Raise the bar
Breakfast bars that are of a higher quality come with several advantages. In terms of design, it provides a switch in surface materials that can create a dramatic feature. Additionally, it enables something a little more forgiving to lay your arms on than the icy surface of stone or quartz.
If there is a hob on the island, a raised bar can provide some amount of protection from hot oil spills, and it can also keep children away from sharp knives while you are preparing food. If you go too high, however, which should ideally be no more than 106 centimeters or 42 inches, you’ll find it difficult to find stools that are tall enough for you to sit securely on them.
3. Add a simple island overhang
One of the most straightforward methods to incorporate bar-style seating into a kitchen with limited space is to overhang the worktop on the front or ends of an island. If you want to avoid load-bearing concerns when customers eventually lean on the bar, don’t go deeper than 30 centimeters or 12 inches with your overhanging worktop if you don’t have any additional corner supports.
A simple, off-the-shelf solution that won’t destroy your budget would consist of two or three standard base pieces measuring 60 centimeters or 24 inches in depth, topped with a work surface of 90 centimeters or 35 inches in depth. Choose bar stools without backs that have storage space underneath them when they are not in use.
4. Work with a wall-mounted breakfast bar
You may create a peaceful in your kitchen by installing a shelf-style portion of the kitchen worktop at the very end of a row of cabinets. This will allow you to enjoy your morning coffee in peace. You will, indeed, have your back to the room; but, this is not necessarily a negative thing, especially if you are preoccupied with working on a laptop or if your children are furiously working on their homework.
Be as generous with the room as you possibly can so that the location does not come across as compromised or crowded. Worksurface width should be at least 1 meter for two stools and at least 1.5 meters for three stools if at all possible.
5. Get more bottoms on seats
If you want to seat more people, use benches instead of bar stools. This is an excellent idea for gatherings with youngsters, and it also looks quite nice. Because individuals sitting in the middle of the benches will need to slide along, the trendy design plan calls for a breakfast bar that is at a lower level. This will make it easier for people to get on and off the benches.
You may increase the level of comfort and create a style that is cozy and reminiscent of Scandi by adding throw pillows and faux fur. Make sure the benches you choose have a sturdy construction and are hefty so that they won’t topple over when they are loaded down with children.
6. Impress with a floating bar
When it comes to the wow factor, a breakfast bar that cantilevers off the edge of the counter is hard to beat. This structural bar also provides a generous amount of legroom beneath it, making seating extremely comfortable.
According to Andrew Hall, Director of Woodstock Furniture, a floating breakfast bar requires careful engineering for stability. Typically, a steel frame is concealed under the worktop and bolted to the floor under the island to provide this stability. However, the outcomes more than justify the effort. Not only is it certain to impress, but it also makes more of the flooring visible, which gives the impression that there is more room.
6: Consider stools on two sides
Although a row of bar stools in a straight line may be one of the most common concepts for a breakfast bar on an island, it is not the most social way to sit at a breakfast bar. Consider arranging your seating in an L-shape rather than a circle if you want to maintain eye contact while you sip your wine.
The breakfast bar can be contained in one of the corners of an island, which will free up more workstation space and allow for the installation of a more spacious stove. Make use of lighting to demarcate the bar area; for example, by installing a low-hanging pendant light that is controlled by a separate light switch, you may illuminate the bar area at night while leaving the rest of the kitchen in the dark.
8. Drop a breakfast bar down to the dining level
If you are only going to be there for a short while, such as for a quick bite to eat or a cup of coffee, sitting on a bar stool is not an issue, but if you are going to be there for a longer period, dining chairs are unquestionably more comfortable. If you want the most support possible, choose chairs that have padded seats and tall backs.
Bringing a breakfast bar down to dining height (76 centimeters or 30 inches) will also create a small splashback area in which to place electrical plugs, which is ideal for those who work from home and need to plug in a laptop or charge other electronic equipment.
9. Save space with a slimline bar
To avoid impeding the natural flow of movement when cooking, professionals advise maintaining a walkway that is at least 90 centimeters to one meter wide around an island or dining table. One of the benefits of a breakfast bar is that it may be modified to be much narrower than it originally was without compromising its functioning.
According to Melissa Klink, Head of Design at Harvey Jones, “freestanding breakfast bars take up significantly less room than dining tables or islands,” particularly when outfitted with chairs that will be hidden underneath.
This is especially true when comparing the two options. 'Before you spend your money on a breakfast bar, make sure you pick the proper size for your space. A room that is too large for a breakfast bar that is too small will look awkward, and vice versa.
10. Take a decorative approach
The space that is normally occupied by a breakfast bar is ideal for the introduction of some color and design. Considering that the surface is frequently assaulted by flailing feet, particularly those of young children, selecting finishes that are resistant to scuffing and are simple to clean is recommended.
Tiles with patterns can have a particularly striking appearance and can be paired with a concept for a kitchen splashback to create a coherent design plan. Cladding composed of metals such as weathered bronze or copper sheets, which can be cut to size and fastened with adhesive, is another material that we adore using.
Summary:
A breakfast bar that cantilevers off the edge of the counter is hard to beat. This structural bar also provides a generous amount of legroom beneath it. Make use of lighting to demarcate the bar area and create a cozy Scandi-inspired look.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Following are the important questions:
1: Is a breakfast bar a good idea?
Incorporating a breakfast bar into a kitchen diner is one of the best ideas for the flexible living among all of the kitchen diner ideas that are currently available. Ideal for taking a speedy coffee break, grabbing lunch on the run, and whipping up simple dinners for the family. When hosting guests, a breakfast bar can also be used as a buffet area where alcoholic beverages and light bites can be served.
2: What is the difference between a breakfast bar and an island?
In the same way that an island may give more counter space to a kitchen, a breakfast bar can do the same thing. It is distinct in that it incorporates seating and may be affixed to an existing counter or wall. Additionally, it has only three sides that can be utilized in any given configuration. It often stands at a height that is greater than that of kitchen counters.
3: Why have a breakfast bar?
They are an easy fit for a smaller home and allow you to comfortably seat anywhere from two to four people, allowing you to dine and converse with all of your guests at the same time. If you don’t have room for a dining table and you don’t want to eat on the couch, a breakfast bar can be the perfect solution for you.
4: Can I add a breakfast bar to the existing counter?
When putting in a breakfast bar, unlike when putting in a countertop, it is not necessary to construct a solid base out of cabinetry to provide stability. It is possible to use the currently installed countertop as the support foundation for the bar so long as there is sufficient space for both the bar and the chairs.
5: What is breakfast bar height?
There are typically three alternatives for the height of the counters at breakfast bars: 30 inches, 36 inches, and 42 inches above the floor. Within these constraints, the height of the counter is frequently staggered such that the piece intended for eating is either higher or lower than the portion designed for working, depending on the specific requirements of the given scenario.
6: How much room do you need around a breakfast bar?
A minimum of 24 inches of space should be reserved for each individual seated at a breakfast bar to ensure appropriate room and maximum comfort. Because bar stools with arms require a little bit more space (approximately two inches) than stools without arms, you might wish to increase the distance between seats to at least 26 inches (or even more).
7: Does a kitchen need a breakfast bar?
Assuming you already have another room in your home designated for eating, installing a breakfast bar in your kitchen is typically a good idea. If you do not have a dining area, installing a kitchen table is a fantastic notion; however, a breakfast bar is unrivaled in terms of its adaptability, storage space, and ease of design.
8: What width should a breakfast bar be?
Breakfast bars of either 16 inches or 41 cm are available for couples who have less room in their kitchens. Due to the breadth of the table, the pair may sit facing each other and easily fold the stools away directly below the table when they are not in use. This helps them to conserve space when the stools are not in use.
9: What’s the difference between a breakfast bar and an island?
In the same way that an island may give more counter space to a kitchen, a breakfast bar can do the same thing. It is distinct in that it incorporates seating and may be affixed to an existing counter or wall. Additionally, it has only three sides that can be utilized in any given configuration. It often stands at a height that is greater than that of kitchen counters.
10: What is the difference between a kitchen island and a breakfast bar?
A breakfast bar, which is conceptually comparable to the kitchen island, can also provide you with more storage and countertop space, as well as additional seating, if necessary. The only real difference is that a kitchen bar will often be attached to another countertop or extended out of a wall, leaving you, in practice, only three functional sides of the structure.
Conclusion:
A breakfast bar is a relaxed area in your kitchen where you can pull up a stool and eat. It may be little more than a shelf or an overhang, or it could stretch the length of an island. Some floor plans are more naturally suited to accommodate a breakfast bar than others. A breakfast bar that cantilevers off the edge of the counter is hard to beat. This structural bar also provides a generous amount of legroom beneath it. Make use of lighting to demarcate the bar area and create a cozy Scandi-inspired look.
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