Bar counter

A bar counter is a seating and working surface higher than a normal dining table, at which people eat, drink coffee or work while sitting on tall stools. In apartments it is used as an extension of a kitchen island or windowsill, or as a boundary between kitchen and living room. The counter replaces or supplements a dining table and zones the space at the same time.

Heights. A classic bar counter is about 110-115 cm (sources give a range of 110-120 cm); it is paired with bar stools with a seat height of around 75 cm. The difference between seat and counter should be about 30 cm: that leaves room for legs and elbows. A half-height counter is closer to the kitchen worktop height and goes with half-height stools; choose the exact height for your own height and stools, and check dimensions in the furniture makers' catalogues.

Counter dimensions. For comfortable seating one person needs at least 60 cm of counter length. The typical counter depth is 40-50 cm, reduced to 30-35 cm in a small kitchen, and 50-60 cm is better if the counter is also a work and dining surface. About 20-30 cm is left between the stool and the counter for legs. So that knees do not hit the counter, there must be an overhang and free space under the top without a cabinet; if cabinets go right under the counter, knee room is often insufficient.

Where a bar works better than a table. In small apartments and studios where a full dining set takes too much space; as an extension of an island or windowsill; as a boundary between kitchen and living room. Stools can go on one side only and tuck under the top, freeing the passage. Lighting under the counter and pendants above it create a light accent.

Where it does not work. As the only eating place for a family with small children, older people or people with back problems: sitting high is uncomfortable every day, and children may fall. In such projects we combine: a compact dining table plus a counter as an extra surface. If the family often cooks and eats together at a long table, a counter will not replace a proper dining place.

Typical mistakes: not matching counter and stool heights, so knees hit the top; making the counter too narrow; not providing a footrest on the stool; forgetting the free passage behind the counter; putting tall stools in a kitchen where child safety matters. We build the height, depth and stool type into the layout and kitchen scheme in advance.