breakfast bar or no - what shape

11 years ago

I've totally lost control of my kitchen remodel! yikes! now i'm actually considering putting the breakfast bar back into the new kitchen, i hated the one we had before the remodel. Maybe the last one was too big? anyway... doing granite this time (again I was NOT going to do granite, just another moment of losing control). so IF i put it back and I think I should, would 15 inches be deep enough? It won't be used to eat at, just a hang out while I'm cooking for those occasional times my adult children visit. Maybe round the edge into an arch? keep it straight? I have 66 plus inches to the dining room table from the cabinet bases. the old bases were 6 inches closer to the dining room and the overhang was quite large.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

ci_lantro
11 years ago
If you hated the last one, why even consider another?

In any case, IMO, you would be crowding the space there by adding it to the peninsula. Aesthetically, it would look better w/o.
User
11 years ago
We had teardown yesterday and I was never happier than when they removed the breakfast bar. It IS nice having a tall counter, but it's not worth it to give up your dining room space for the occasional visitor.

How deep is your peninsula? If it's 24 inches, you might consider adding 12 inches of cabinets/bookshelves to the back of the peninsula. It will look really nice open to the DR and give you a nice big counter.
Related Discussions
breakfast bar--counter (36') or bar (42') height?
Q
Comments (23)
we are just finishing a 2-level peninsula similar to your plan. will post pictures soon. we were well aware that this is "off trend" but figured that by the time the kitchen is finished, it will be almost back "on trend" again! you just have to go with what you need to function best. hiding all the s*#% (stuff) from the dining area was big for us. we also really enjoy sitting at a counter. my husband makes pasta a lot and likes the idea of having 2 levels-- one to work on, and one to dry the pasta on. we put outlets all along the 6in. support, as you had mentioned above. we also put one outlet facing toward the bar side (also in the support) which i think will be handy. i also had an idea (after the fact) to build in a little soap/sponge holder into the 6inch support right by the sink. it would have been nice. ah, well. next kitchen. as mentioned and shown above, we also used hidden brackets for support. they are routed into the side so the face piece went over them and then the under-counter part of the bracket does not show at all. we didn't have room for the corner bar section that you show in the last picture. i like the look-- it does seem to update the bar look-- but don't know how it would work for your situation. have fun! kawh
...See More
Best shape for kitchen/breakfast table?
Q
Comments (13)
In general, I think rectangular tables work better for more than four people. To fit more than four comfortably & have room for everyone's legs, a round table will get too big to easily converse, etc. I have found that when I'm at a round table big enough to fit 6 (or more), it becomes difficult to converse with anyone across the table b/c the table is too big (diameter) - you end up having to yell across the expanse necessary to accommodate more then four people. With a rectangular table, you keep the 42" or so of depth and even though you add 2' to the length for each extra person - you can still easily converse with just about everyone. For only four people, I think a round table works and I like them, but not for larger #s. Now, the particular style of table is a different issue. Trestle tables are a nightmare for anyone with long legs - I intensely dislike them b/c I'm always bumping my knees and shins on the bar that runs the length of the table. They're also uncomfortable for people on the ends b/c there's not enough leg room at all, as Chicagoans also mentioned.
...See More
U shaped banquet in breakfast nook or just bench on one side?
Q
Comments (5)
I agree about not having a "U" for the banquette. I would hate having to sit in the middle! There's one restaurant that we visit that has a "U" like that -- and it really only works for 4 people. (P.F. Chang's, if you want to go see an example.) If one of the "inside" people needs to get up, the "outside" person has to get up as well. While this is only a minor inconvenience at a restaurant, it can become a major headache if you have to do it every single day at home! Is this your only table space? I hope not! Regarding the bench + chairs idea...you need to understand spacing needs for (1) seating and (2) aisles around the table Seating Each seat/chair needs at least 24" of linear space. You need 18" to 19" of unobstructed/clear space under the table for legs/knees -- without overlapping at the corners b/c two people cannot occupy the same space, including their knees/legs! Aisles around the table If there's not traffic behind the seat, you need at least 32". If there will be traffic (e.g., trying to get around to another seat or the bench), you need at least 36" to edge past a seated diner (note that it will be a tight squeeze) Note that this is your situation!
...See More
Table bases for breakfast nook and bar-table tops?
Q
Comments (56)
Yes... I was originally going to make the tabletop 36"W, but after reading those specs on Arhaus.com I decided to widen it to at least 38" to accommodate the bases. The mounting issue was another thing I tried to discuss with the online "designer" and didn't get any help with. In this picture it looks like there are holes on the top of them, but since my top is 2 cm quartz, I won't be using any screws into it to attach them. The stone fabricator will install the top similar to how they install countertops to cabinet bases, using a special epoxy glue. But I will definitely show these bases to them first to make sure it can be attached properly! As far as other coordinating colors in my home, I am planning on replacing most of the existing fixtures (except wood floors) so I'm basically starting from scratch with the 2 tables in question, the tan leather sofa and 3 kitchen chairs I already have. From there I will decide on barstools, light fixtures, rugs, banquet cushions and other accessories, incorporating an accent color or 2 in some of those. Interesting idea to do the bar table legs in an fun accent color, but I think choosing that now would be putting the cart before the horse! Maybe I'll skip that step for now and keep the existing black legs that are on it (knowing that they will eventually be changed) until I choose my kitchen table base and barstools. Does anyone else think the brass bases might look more (or too) formal than the black ones?
...See More
tanajo
Original Author
11 years ago
Ci_lantro
The last bar was so big it ended up as a dump spot for everything and seemed to provide me with only 18inches of work space on the working side. I'm against putting it back on, truth be known I wouldnt have added the peninsula back on but after spending time on GW realized the importance of protecting the cook zone from traffic. Glad I did.
May_flowers
It's 24 inches. I like the bookshelf idea!
Guess I'm just feeling like my vision for the finished kitchen has been swallowed up, don't get me wrong I'm happy with the evolving project but feel like my fancy farmhouse design is a crumpled piece of paper in the trash. Lovely DH has strong design sense and crazy DIY skills so I have compromised. Standby for the backsplash battle of 2012!
rosie
11 years ago
A bookcase is also my suggestion off the top of my head, Tanajo, i.e., without really knowing what's going on there. Maybe it would also allow you to bring in some accents that please you after the fact. Big NO to yet another unwanted sitting counter. Another option might be to do a knee wall higher than the counter and set a nice server in front of it.
PRO
Tom Carter
11 years ago
I would have loved the extra depth to add a 12" set of cabinets to my peninsula...if you don't want people there, just add nice glass front cabs or open book shelves, great extra storage and makes a really nice big work counter
Thanks
Tom

breakfast bar or no - what shape

Comments (5)

ci_lantro

User

Related Discussions

tanajo
Original Author

rosie

Tom Carter

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

breakfast bar or no - what shape

Comments (5)

ci_lantro

User

Related Discussions

tanajoOriginal Author

rosie

Tom Carter

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

tanajo
Original Author