If you're lacking a dining room but you're blessed with a sizable kitchen or an open space plan, a kitchen bar can double as both counter space and an eating area. Some of our favorite apartments from the AT archives don't have formal dining rooms, but they do have kitchen counters that serve as welcoming spaces to pull up a barstool...
Melissa and Matt made their kitchen bar into a focal point by decorating it with wall decals and adding a couple of stylish stools. A rolling cart holds their coffee maker and kitchen supplies.
Kathleen and Alex's kitchen is ideal for entertaining; the counter is a prime gathering spot during parties.
Emily and Craig's Logan Square apartment has just enough room for a couple of counter stools and a pedestal table tucked into a corner.
Meg and Ross transformed their kitchen into a cozy space with a rug, good lighting, plants, and some carefully chosen accessories.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I would really like to do this in my apartment, but my kitchen doesn't have a bar. Any ideas where I might get a cool freestanding one?
~Q
view hishtafel's profile
I don't have a whole lot of room in my open floor plan. I'm debating between a gateleg table with folding chairs or bar stools. Problem is my bar is about 45 inches high. Any stools that will fit this high bar that short little me can still climb up on?
view kgenesius's profile
I have a bar in my apartment, but I'm never quite sure what to put on it to make it look snazzy . . .
view Zhahira's profile
Our tiny apartment has a bar, but lately I've been wanting a table anyway. It seats two, which is sufficient for Alex and me, but it's not at all romantic! I miss being able to look across a candlelit table and gaze into the eyes of my honey. I'm thinking of putting a 2x4 Expedit under the bar (it's exactly the right size, within 2 inches!) and getting a Docksta and some Panton chairs. I just need more money!
The one thing I like about my bar:
I can pull hot toast out of the toaster while I'm seated. (The layout is similar to the first picture, our toaster is under where they have their microwave) I heart toast!
view Stephie_is_a_dork's profile
My husband and I made a bar for our tiny apartment by using ikea custom cabinets. We connected four cabinets, attached legs, and added a counter top. It is the smartest thing we've done for the apartment. Whenever guests visit, it's the first thing they comment on.
view wendel5-0's profile