Breakfast bars are all the rage, and for good reason: they’re both functional and stylish, adding character to your kitchen whilst making everyday life easier. Whether you want to create a dedicated area for family breakfasts, or to simply optimise use of space, a breakfast bar is a smart addition to many contemporary kitchens. To get the most out of your bar, it’s crucial to carefully plan its design and layout.
Read on for several tips to help you add a functional, aesthetically-pleasing bar to your kitchen.
Choose the right dimensions by evaluating available space
Before you start dreaming up your ideal kitchen breakfast bar, evaluate the space available. Take into account the dimensions of the room as well as the overall layout of your kitchen. This will help you to determine the best size and shape for a breakfast bar in your space.
The ideal counter length will depend on several factors such as the size of your kitchen and how you’re intending to use the bar. In a small kitchen, a discreet bar will help ensure it doesn’t visually encroach on the space or block movement. In larger kitchens, a longer breakfast bar can add additional worktop and storage space and become a focal point of the room.
Think about different placements
Choosing the right place to put your breakfast bar is key for both comfort and convenience. Ideally, it should be near the food prep and dining areas, to make it easy to bring dishes from one place to the other.
You’ll also need to make sure that there's sufficient space around the breakfast bar so that people can easily move around. Depending on the layout of the room, the bar could be built into the central island or as an extension of a peninsula, making them multifunctional.
Decide on the design and materials for your breakfast bar
Your breakfast bar’s design needs to be of a similar or complementary style to the rest of your kitchen, and make use of high-quality materials that can withstand daily wear while staying coherent with the rest of the kitchen.
Natural stone, quartz, ceramic, wood veneer or high-quality laminate can create different moods, from sleek and refined to warm or architectural. Striking the right balance between style and functionality is key to creating a space that’s both elegant and durable.
Add storage to your breakfast bar
A well-designed bar can also double as an additional storage unit. The space underneath the countertop is ideal for extra shelves, alcoves, drawers or cabinets, helping you to maximise space and keep your kitchen organised and tidy.
Ensure the counter is the right height for you
The height of a breakfast bar will directly impact how comfortable it is to use, so it’s essential to get right counter height. Standard countertops are usually between 90–110cm high, with a height of around 100cm ideal for classic bar stools. You can adjust the height of your breakfast bar to suit how you envisage using it, as well as your desired style of chair.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you design a kitchen with a breakfast bar that can become the heart of your home. Whether you're wanting to maximise available space or create a welcoming area for family meals, a well-designed breakfast bar can transform your kitchen into a truly stylish, functional space.
Inspiration: our kitchen projects with breakfast bars
Bright white kitchen with central breakfast bar
This Cashmere kitchen, fit along one side of the open-plan room, couldn’t accommodate a classic central island as it would block circulation. Instead, we built a smaller central breakfast bar which structures the space whilst ensuring ease of movement, and adds an elegant feel with its Arabescato Quartz worktop. The understated finishes, softened with brass details and comfortable seating, make the space feel chic and welcoming. Built to be an interface between the kitchen and living areas, this breakfast bar is the ideal place for guests to sit whilst the host is cooking.
Modern dark blue kitchen with breakfast bar
This modern dark blue kitchen plays with strong contrasts between navy units, light surfaces and wooden accents. The peninsula features a discreet, functional bar that extends naturally from the worktop. Adding stools invites people to gather at the bar, and the bold hanging lights enhance the room’s architectural features.
Open-plan wooden kitchen with a breakfast bar island
In this warm, welcoming kitchen, the breakfast bar island takes centre stage, mixing dark and walnut unit fronts. The generous, structural central island integrates a bar area that encourages socialising. Lit glass display units and high-quality materials create a gentle, elegant ambiance, conducive to moments of sharing.
Black, wood and marble kitchen with a breakfast bar
This kitchen with bridge cabinets creates interest by pairing matte black units with wooden accents and a white marble-effect countertop. The bar, built into the island, stands out for its sculptural shape and the overhanging countertop that enables stools to slot underneath. Designed as an informal dining area, it structures the room whilst creating a sophisticated, contemporary feel.
Navy kitchen with built-in breakfast bar and open storage
Structured as an L-shape, this kitchen, with Silk Matte Grey Blue lacquer unit fronts, is bold and elegant. The breakfast bar, built as an extension of the worktop, creates a subtle separation between the kitchen and living areas whilst maintaining a sense of openness. Its generous volume means high stools could be added, creating a social space for meals and shared moments.
Mink Grey kitchen with a discreet breakfast bar
The breakfast bar in this Silk Mink Grey kitchen is discreet but functional. Built into the worktop at the end of a line of units, it serves as an elegant dining area that doesn’t encroach on the space. This configuration is ideal for smaller kitchens where elements need to be multifunctional and circulation preserved.
Small kitchen with peninsula breakfast bar
Bathed in light and full of strong architectural features, this Pearl White kitchen oozes with character. The sleek breakfast bar, built into the peninsula, complements the lit glass display cabinet and exposed beams. Designed to be a transitional space between the kitchen and dining room, the breakfast bar is ideal for daily use as well as hostingCuisine en noyer avec îlot bar convivial.
Walnut kitchen with a bar island ideal for hosting
The pairing of walnut unit fronts and lighter finishes makes this kitchen feel warm and timeless. The central island, extended with a bar, is a transitional space between kitchen and living areas, structuring the room without impeding circulation. Its light ceramic worktop brightens the kitchen whilst the plush pink chairs invite friends and family to gather for informal meals and shared moments.
If you’d like help designing a breakfast bar or renovating your kitchen, get in touch with our team to organise an initial meeting.
