Standard dimensions of the bar in the kitchen
One of the essential attributes of bars and cafes is the bar counter. This item is not only functional, but also beautiful, and can also play the role of a space divider. Previously, bar counters were used only in public places and served as a place where visitors could eat or drink. Now it is a fairly common element of a city apartment, the counter serves as a place for breakfast and tea parties, an area for storing dishes and others, is used as a mini-bar, etc. With proper planning, even a small room can accommodate a bar counter, but you should think about its dimensions and design in advance.
The first mention of the bar dates back to the 18th century. These establishments began to appear in North America during the gold rush. The word “bar” is translated as a partition, so you can easily understand that the name comes from the bar counter, which at that moment served as the main accent of the hall. Its function was to separate the place where the visitors were from the rack with drinks and the bartender himself.
Varieties
In houses and apartments, the bar counter partly performs the same functions as in bars - it serves as a dividing element of two zones, stores kitchen utensils, drinks, food, etc. Even in a small area, if desired, you can fit a compact rack, if you think about its design. Therefore, before starting a repair, you should decide on the style, material and type of rack.
wall
This option is relevant for a small kitchen, where it is not possible to install a full-fledged dining table. Due to its small width and sufficient height, such a rack does not take up much space, but it will serve as a convenient place for snacking. Among the minuses of this option, one can single out a small capacity. That is, if a couple of people sit behind it quite comfortably, then a larger number of people are unlikely to fit there. For parties with guests, you still have to think about buying a dining table.
Combined with a headset
Such racks are a continuation of the headset. Their construction often uses the same materials as kitchen furniture, for example: wood, plastic, glass in an aluminum frame, MDF, etc. The rack is placed more often at an angle to the headset, so that the furniture is a design in the form of the letter "G". It serves not only as a convenient place for tea drinking, but also plays the role of a separator between two functional areas.
Partition
This option is similar to the previous one, only it is located separately from the kitchen set. The rack serves as a space divider, but is not a continuation of the furniture and does not have a countertop in common with the set. A bar-baffle is usually a classic height rack. In its design, there may be crossbars fixed at one end on the countertop, and at the other resting against the ceiling or cornice. Metal shelves and holders for glasses, mugs and other accessories are usually attached to such crossbars.
Island
The option is only suitable for spacious rooms. The island is not an ordinary bar counter. In its design, cabinets are often present as in a kitchen set, and household appliances can also be built in, such as a hob and oven, sink, mini-fridge, hood, etc. The island stand has a tabletop that can serve as both an additional work plane and a comfortable dining area for several people.
The most comfortable design of the bar counter is selected depending on the style of the interior and. When choosing, you need to decide what it is for. Will the rack play the role of a dining table, or is it preferable as a continuation of the countertop set and storage space for dishes and other kitchen utensils.
Dimensions
In almost every spacious apartment you can find a bar counter. But now it is not uncommon even in Khrushchev, as it can have almost any design and size. But if in a large kitchen its appearance and dimensions do not matter, they can be anything depending on the wishes of the owners, then in a small area you will have to work hard and create an object that will perform its function and at the same time not clutter up the space.
Height
Of course, if desired and necessary, you can order or make your own bar counter of any height and design, but it’s better to stick to the standard parameters. So, it will be easier to pick up accessories and bar stools.
In kitchens, you can find two options for bar counters: the height of which coincides with the set top and higher, with a size of 1200 mm.
- Height as at a table-top headset. Such a rack would rather be considered a continuation of the kitchen worktop, but if desired, it can also be used as a dining table. Its height should be tied to the height of the headset cabinets, which have standard sizes. The floor module consists of a plinth 100-150 mm, a body 720 mm and a worktop with a thickness of 38-40 mm. Based on simple mathematical calculations, the standard height of the lower tier of a kitchen set ranges from 860 to 910 mm. Accordingly, the bar counter should have the same height.
- The height is greater than the headset. But even in this case, there are certain standards. For example, the generally accepted height of the bar counter varies from 1100 to 1200 mm. Of course, you can adjust the dimensions for yourself, depending on convenience. Here everyone chooses for himself, but still the standards exist for this, in order to assume the greatest comfort in use.
Width
There are also standard values for the width of the bar counter, but there are much fewer restrictions than the height. Narrow structures can have a width of 300 mm, and it is considered the minimum, it may be narrower, but most likely it will not be so comfortable to use it. If the rack will serve as an additional working and dining surface, then it is better to increase its width to 500-600 mm. There are models and wider, it all depends on the possibilities of the interior and the needs of the owners. Spacious kitchens can also accommodate large bar counters, but such furniture is inappropriate in Khrushchev, and it is unlikely to be comfortable to use if it occupies a significant part of the kitchen.
How to calculate dimensions?
All furniture usually has standard parameters, based on generally accepted standards. They are not chosen arbitrarily, but are clearly calculated by specialists, focusing on the anatomical features of a person. Following these parameters is very important, especially for public institutions. There, deviations from the norm are generally unacceptable. At home, you can use different sizes for furniture items, depending on the wishes of the family. When calculating the dimensions of objects, the following parameters are used:
- posture of people sitting;
- the average height of the bartender (hostess);
- work that is done standing behind the countertop.
In the mass production of bar counters, the following standards are used: height - 1050 mm, length - 1200 mm, width - 550 mm. But depending on your own convenience and wishes, you can shift these sizes both up and down. If you plan to mount household appliances in a rack, then you should adhere to the standard dimensions of the modules.
Designs and shapes
The traditional design of the bar counter is a high tabletop with a body or on a metal support. Typically, such furniture involves the use of a footrest. They can be with or without a backrest, with armrests, with a rotating seat mechanism, etc. Also, the design may include lighting: spotlights or lamps hanging on suspensions, mounted on the eaves of the bar counter.
Among the popular forms of racks are the following:
- L-shaped. This design is suitable for large or medium-sized kitchens, made in any style. With its help, you can divide the room into two functional parts, while focusing on the bar area. The angular shape allows you to make the most of the usable space of the bar counter.
- U-shaped. Also no less convenient design than the previous one. This rack model can be used both as a place to store various kitchen utensils, and as modules for built-in household appliances. The U-shaped table top is large enough to serve as both a work plane and a dining table.
- rounded. With it, the interior will acquire a more refined and sophisticated look. A rounded bar counter will become a real accent of the kitchen, it is best used in medium-sized or spacious rooms. A simpler design is a straight rack with a rounded top.
The bar counter is a stylish, incredibly popular element of a modern interior. The kitchen becomes more elegant and attractive with it. When designing a bar counter, generally accepted standard dimensions for height and width should be used. So, the furniture will be as comfortable and functional as possible.