The empty void beneath a breakfast bar is ripe for an injection of colour and pattern. As the surface often comes under fire from flailing feet, especially those of small children, choosing finishes that are scuff-resistant and easy to clean. If you already have a kitchen island, adding a breakfast bar is easier than you think. Simply buy and install a new countertop for the island that is a few feet larger on one side to create an overhang. If you can’t match the old counter you’re removing, never fear. Just opt for another color or material that coordinates equally well with the room Other Breakfast Bar Options Before deciding where to build your bar, find the studs in the wall. You want to mount the bar on at least two studs, which are spaced 16 inches apart behind the drywall. Use a stud finder to locate them, then measure out where the bar will go. How Deep Should a Bar Top Be? Mosaics in metallic or reflective finishes on feature walls can sparkle in the light, day or night. If you’re not the handy type, or you want something temporary, consider purchasing a ready-made island on wheels. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite: a kitchen center and breakfast bar, and a breakfast bar on wheels.

A breakfast bar is a great way to get more out of your kitchen,’ says Graeme Smith, Head of Retail and Commercial Design at Life Kitchens. ‘Breakfast bars keep everyone socially connected in the space and can make it easy for hosts to cook away while guests chat.’ In more recent years, breakfast bar ideas for kitchen life include another place to work from home – one where you’ll never be too far from the coffee machine! What should you consider when planning a breakfast bar? Run a bead of construction adhesive along the top edge of your base. Lay the bar top in place, centered. Whether you want your bar built extending out from a wall, to create a division between spaces—or along an empty wall as a shelf—you need to leave an adequate passageway. Forty-two inches is the magic number, here, too. Remember, even if you have enough room to walk, you may need to fit appliances, furniture, or even a wheelchair through the space at one point or another.First, create a support system using the 2×6 pieces by screwing them together to form an I shape. You’ll mount one end of the I to the wall and secure the other end to the pedestal. Paint, stain, or finish to match the top. Tableware and plate mats lend a warm and inviting quality to the wall bar. Store some of the items on the counter permanently to help customise the design. The average bar height is 42 inches tall. You want to keep your bar between 36-42 inches or else your barstools won’t fit under comfortably. Breakfast bars are highly versatile and practical,' says Neil McDonald, Design Manager, Moores. 'If you have a busy household, a breakfast bar can be a great addition to the home, creating a more relaxed dining area. They are a fantastic solution for kitchens which are tight on space, where it is not practical to have a separate dining area or even a small kitchen table and chairs.'

The wall finishes are just as important to get right as the countertop. Probably more so because the area behind the countertop will come in for a lot of abuse. And you don’t want to have to replace a finish down the line because it wears badly. These include but are not limited to the following:There are no set rules on what height a breakfast bar should be, but you’ll make stool shopping easier if you plan the height according to the dimensions of the two most popular stool options, which are counter stools or bar stools.