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Beautifying Your Kitchen Bar |
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A bar is one of the best pieces you can add in your kitchen. It’s a pleasant spot to hang out, talk, or have a brunch during the day, as well as receive guests during social events. It can also double as an office when you need an additional space. |
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| Author: Laura Mccomb |
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Decorating your kitchen bar can be enjoyable, but as with any home improvement project, there’s still some work involved. In fact, a poorly decorated bar can do your kitchen more harm than good. How do you make sure your bar is up to the job? Here are several tips to keep in mind.
Bar types
You can buy factory-made bars at most home supply stores, but this will only work if your kitchen is built to standard sizes. If you want full control over your bar design, it’s advisable to have it custom-made. There are four main designs to choose from:
Straight back bars are normally placed at the far end of the room, stretching most, or all, of the back wall. Beverages, glasses, bottles, and other items are contained in a cabinet built beneath the counter. There’s typically enough seating for three people in a straight row.
Back bars consist of three parts: a straight bar with under-counter storage, an open middle portion, and an over-the-counter shelf which can be open or closed. Back bars make wonderful display pieces, so they’re a nice choice if you intend to show off your liquor or goblet collection.
L-type bars are set against a corner, making them an amazing work area and also as a resting spot. They work best for tiny kitchens, which may not have enough space for an island-type fixture. The shorter side normally holds a sink and spigot.
Corner bars are the smallest and most space-efficient option. Most of them are just built-in cabinets made for storing drinks. It makes use of the top and bottom compartments, so you can store more with little floor space.
Countertops
The countertop is commonly the most attractive feature of your kitchen bar. There are many countertop materials to choose from, but the most common are wood, laminate, and granite.
Wood countertops have a warm, rustic look that goes nicely with most kitchen themes. They hold up well as long as you don’t use them for regular kitchen work. Maintenance can be a problem, though, especially for light woods such as pine and birch. If you choose a wood countertop, expect to clean it weekly and wipe the tops after every use.
Granite is the recommended material for nearly all high-end kitchen bars. It is more costly as compared to wood, but it’ll last decades—some people say a granite counter will last longer than the house itself. It is available in a variety of hues, from jet black to pale white to vibrant reds, greens, and blues. There are even other stone types like engineered stone.
If you’re on a tight budget, a laminate countertop may be your best option. Laminate is built from layers of craft paper pressed together to form one dense material, and wrapped in a rigid, synthetic sheet. The top layer can be printed in any color and design, so you can easily match your kitchen décor. Faux wood prints are the most popular.
Bar Furniture
Of course, no kitchen bar is complete without a great set of bar stools. You can have the bar stools made with the kitchen itself to ensure that you get the right match. Comfort should be on top of your list when selecting bar stools. Adjustable stands are practically important, as each person prefers his own sitting position. Spacious seats with a bit of lower backrest are normally the most relaxing.
Another essential question is how many bar stools you need. You don’t need to provide seats for everyone; a jam-packed kitchen bar can look unkempt and unpleasant. As a general rule, leave at least twelve inches in between seats to provide each person ample arm and leg movement. Three to four seats should be okay for an average-sized kitchen bar.
About Author
Laura McComb has been an interior design journalist for many of the top home improvement and interior design publications for over the last two decades and we are happy to announce that she will be writing a regular column for redeco.org. Laura has always believed that a home must be comfortable and functional as well as appealing, and her decorating tip emphasizes helpful and timeless decorative solutions that will provide comfort year after year. Allow Laura to help you choose the ideal home furnishings, the best window coverings, and the exact accessories to make your house a comfortable and beautiful home.
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