Welcome to the energising world of kitchen breakfast bar designs. A world where utility, exemplary craftsmanship and aesthetic flair coalesce into a focal point you simply can’t ignore.
Doubling as a convenient spot for storage, food prep, Friday night pre-drinks and quiet mealtimes once the kids are (finally) tucked into bed, it’s unsurprising that 1 in 5 Brits consider the kitchen island a ‘dream feature’.
In my neck of the woods – Yorkshire and Humber – where we tend to be a bit more house proud, we’ve seen no signs of the trend winding down. On the contrary, our breakfast bar stools are a frequent topic of conversation among homeowners looking to complement their new island setup.
In this guide, I’m going to tell you exactly what I’d advise our showroom visitors: the step-by-step process of narrowing down your kitchen breakfast bar designs, some style ideas, plus a handful of gorgeous examples the Evelyn Lily team has been loving recently. Let’s get on with it.
Contents:
- What is a Breakfast Bar For?
- How to Approach Kitchen Breakfast Bar Designs
- 5 Real-Life Kitchen Breakfast Bar Design Ideas
- Conclusion + Next Steps
What is a Breakfast Bar For? (And Why You Should Seriously Consider Getting One)
In my line of work, supplying artisan furniture across the UK, I like to think that there are no silly questions. Speaking of, let’s strip things back to their basics. What is a breakfast bar exactly? And what are they for?
In a nutshell, a breakfast bar is exactly what it sounds like, and more. A bar setup primarily used for casual dining and socialising. Taking the form of an extended countertop, often integrated into a kitchen island or peninsula, these handy fixtures are designed to be multipurpose, versatile and flexible; befitting of the modern family lifestyle.
One of the breakfast bar’s greatest merits is its unobtrusive look: homeowners benefit from extra countertop area, brilliant space efficiency and the ability to zone open plan or even smaller kitchens with awkward layouts. Thanks to their distinctive overhangs, maintaining a visually clean and uncluttered working environment is simple – just hide away your seating underneath
How to Approach Kitchen Breakfast Bar Designs Step-by-Step
With that mini preamble out of the way, we can jump straight into the kitchen breakfast bar design process; that is, working our way through the major features, finishes, layouts and styling options available to you. It’s time to don your thinking cap!
Step 1: Settling on a Design Format
The very first decision to make revolves around design format. What sort of kitchen island or breakfast bar designs will fit into your space? Is there a particular size or shape that is more becoming or physically suited to the architecture?
I discuss this in more detail in our kitchen island style guide, but your rule of thumb is a minimum of 1m clearance around the sides of your bar and 1.3m minimum, factoring in the bar stools.
For instance, it’s going to be much more difficult to squeeze a huge freestanding island into a small cottage kitchen scheme versus an open-plan kitchen-diner. Here, you should consider all of the options…
- Fixed peninsulas extend from a wall or worktop, and mesh really well with L-shaped and U-shaped layouts, as well as galley kitchens (provided the island is fairly narrow)
- Floating or wall-mounted breakfast bars are slim countertops attached to a wall with concealed brackets, which is ideal for minimalist schemes that demand a certain amount of floorspace and reduced visual clutter.
- Two-tiered or split-level kitchen islands are great if you’re hoping to keep dining and food prep counterspace separate, and they’re really interesting to look at, too!
- L-shaped breakfast bar designs, funnily enough, complement L-shaped kitchen layouts as they efficiently slot into corner space, create a helpful ‘work triangle’ and encourage socialising between cooks on one side and guests on the other.
- Curved formats aren’t as common, but are no less beautiful. If you’re considering something a little ‘out there’, these flowing silhouettes add a little panache whilst softening the scheme.
Step 2: Picking a Height & Layout
Once you’ve got a particular shape and size in mind – however traditional or contemporary – your next port of call is settling on a height. Generally speaking, a breakfast bar comes in at an average height of 105cm, which requires stools of around 75-80cm for ease of use and comfort.
This said, you might want something custom; perhaps a counter at 90cm, which calls for stools at 65-70cm tall from the ground. We go into this in more detail in our counter vs bar height comparison guide, but the low-down is that people should be able to sit comfortably, with their legs tucked under the overhang with 20-30cm of clearance.
In terms of layout, just like bar heights, every centimetre counts. Would a central placement work best to create symmetry and focal points, or would an off-centre layout be more visually stimulating? Either way, ensure that there’s clear pathways for foot traffic and that you can access all of your cupboards, seating and appliances without hassle. Your tape measure is your lifeline here.
Step 3: Exploring Materials & Surfaces
When guests walk into your kitchen, the materials and finishes of your breakfast bar are likely going to be some of the first elements they notice, so it’s important to get them right. This is without even mentioning how the different options cooperate with your lifestyle.
For instance, marble and quartz worktops create an air of luxury and make for exceptionally durable prep zones, while wood and glass surfaces, on the other hand, are more prone to scratches and fingerprints. That said, the latter are also very low-maintenance and more budget-friendly – not to mention beautiful alongside farmhouse style furnishings.
Don’t forget that on top of materials, there are plenty of kitchen breakfast bar hardware ideas to trawl through: think polished half-moon handles, in-built charging ports in a brassy finish, fluted edges, wood panelling, and the paint of your choice. Each individual touch should coordinate as you build a tapestry of complementary colours, textures and motifs.
Step 4: Finding Complementary Stools
There are so many considerations in play when it comes to picking out bar stools that complement your breakfast bar ideas. For one, you could go down the eclectic route with a handful of different, albeit compatible seating options. Or, alternatively, you could find a matching set that blends in with the materials of the bar itself.
Of course, I can’t dictate a specific style or design, but the best stools meet your needs for comfort and aesthetics. For instance, slimline, backless stools like our Elite Bar Stools make great space savers, whilst busy families might prefer the reassurance that the Rivington’s lumbar support can provide for young’uns and elderly relatives.
Other things to mull over include whether or not a wipeable surface is a deal breaker – leather and wood finishes are very low maintenance compared to, say, tweed – and the level of ergonomics incorporated into the design. Some stools offer swivel action (great for socialising!), foot and arm rests and a height-adjustable frame.
Step 5: Lighting Your Bar
Kitchen lighting is a crucial aspect of your breakfast bar design, in more ways than one. By layering a variety of light sources and types, you can ensure that this dining zone is well-lit, adequately emphasised and that the general ambience is congruent, natural and cosy throughout the ‘heart of your home’.
Without going into unnecessary detail, I recommend investing in a few striking pendant lights – perhaps with sculptural or fluted detailing – that you can hang above to anchor the space. Aim for fixtures that reflect something in the rest of your décor, such as a textural motif or colour.
LED strips are another option that provide a decidedly modern feel, but if you prefer to stay old school, there’s no harm in perching an ornamental lamp atop the counter if you have the surface space. In fact, many of our customers have shared designs for doing exactly that.
Step 6: Styling Your Breakfast Bar Design (Every Day + Seasonal Tips)
Finally, we get the fun part – styling your breakfast bar with decorative touches. Moveable decorative trays are our not-so-secret trade secret; with them, you can easily transport your display to another spot if you require extra dining space or room for impromptu cocktail making.
It’s also a great idea if you’re one for seasonal displays – think dried (or fresh!) flower arrangements, quirky home décor pieces and ornaments that come out when the right time of year comes around. For the full scoop, we recommend checking out our dedicated kitchen island styling guide.
5 Real-Life Kitchen Breakfast Bar Design Ideas: Examples that Put Our Tips Into Context
Without further ado, let’s see how our tips pan out in the real world. Spoilers: they’re really something.
Professional Chef, Shaun Rankin’s Yorkshire Farmhouse
Okay, maybe I’m a little biased towards Yorkshire homes because it’s where I was born and bred, but the architecture you get across the region looks ever so stunning with a breakfast bar floated in the middle.
Case and point: this airy farmhouse kitchen owned by Michelin-Star-winning Shaun Rankin. Here, the pared-back, organic décor allows for the craftsmanship and materials to sing – just look at those shaker-style details!
One element I can’t get enough of is the cosy yet clean layout: the cushioned barstools have enough space to breathe, but with the cabinet floated behind them, they look pretty snug. Shuan has really aced the scandi style; truly, it’s the perfect balance of nature, utilitarianism and warmth – nothing looks twee here.
Alice Grace’s New Build Kitchen Transformation
Another noteworthy breakfast bar design is this lovely modern configuration by interior designer Alice Grace. It’s hard to believe that this was once a lacklustre new build kitchen, considering the character packed into every inch of the space.
In fact, you can see that she’s followed some of the tips we swear by at Evelyn Lily; mixing and matching textures whilst maintaining cohesion with a sophisticated colour palette. The brassy hardware, classic tiling and fluted cabinets in particular are the stars of the show, though – bringing a heritage appeal to this otherwise minimalist interior.
Elevated 50s Diner Chic from Dama + Wood
This lovely breakfast bar setup by interior designers Dama + Wood demonstrates the power of curves. The island itself brings a demure yet playful appeal, as does the blush pink cabinetry.
It’s the finishing touches of the light fixtures that do it for me, however, perfectly anchoring the fixture in the centre of the room whilst providing a natural passage for the eye to travel along, towards the wonderful, tiled backsplash above the oven.
Balanced Yet Vibrant Colour from Madeleine and Giles Milburn
Urgh… there’s almost too much to praise in this vibrant Clapham property, but here goes. Home to leading literary agents Madeleine and Giles Milburn, this artful kitchen has got its colour palette spot on – grounding the room with a glossy, azure sheen complemented with a subtle shimmer in the pendant lights and polished cabinet handles.
I love how laid-back the open-plan flow leaves the room; it’s so easy to imagine grabbing a dining chair or stool and having a quiet cuppa at the breakfast bar, while your host cooks up a full English.
A Small but Mighty Addition to a New Jersey Kitchen
The last example I want to share is this earthy breakfast bar design from the Nicole Alexandra Design Studio. There’s something wonderfully grounding about the colour choices here; how they’re layered and the shared smoky undertones. The green cabinetry, the black matte countertops, shiny hardware, and the wooden bar stools are alone understated, but together oh so powerful.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Raise the Bar
Alas, that’s all we have time for in this kitchen breakfast bar design guide. As you have likely gathered, the process ultimately comes down to carving out a dedicated space for the home rituals we love, in such a way that complements the architecture and dimensions of your kitchen.
Luckily, this is pretty logical: pick a format and style that fits your space, select finishes, materials and colours that harmonise, and then make sure that your seating complements it too. It just takes some deep pondering and planning.
After further advice and inspiration? We’re imparting plenty more insights on the rest of our blog, so please do check that out. Alternatively, if you’re set on a particular design and are looking for seating options to suit, why not browse our collection of premium bar stools?
