How to make a bar counter with your own hands in the kitchen
Non-standard equipment of the kitchen makes it easy to update its interior, to give it a modern and stylish look. One of the budget and practical ways to equip the kitchen can be considered the manufacture of a bar counter with your own hands. Such an element can act as a conditional zone separator, replace the dining table and provide the comfort of storing dishes, kitchen accessories and utensils. Below we talked about what bar racks are and what features each type has. We also created step-by-step master classes that will help you to easily make a stand of wood, drywall, brick. Simple instructions and an indication of the required tools and materials will help to organize the kitchen without errors. Also, among the proposed lighting and decor options, you can easily find a way to uniquely style the installed add-on.
Features - advantages and disadvantages of the interior with a bar
The convenience and practicality of bar counters in the interior must be taken into account before equipping your kitchen or kitchen-dining room with such an element. The main advantages of these elements include:
Ability to use as a dining table. This will not overload the free space of the kitchen and create a stylish area for eating.
Simple separation of different zones (cooking and eating, cooking and relaxing). This is a very practical solution for arranging a studio apartment.
Possibility of equipping the bar with auxiliary drawers and shelves. This feature will ensure the comfort of storage of kitchen creatures, preservation, spices.
The disadvantages of additions include the inconvenience of use by small children and older people due to the high location of the countertops. Also at the mini-racks used as a dining table, at the same time more than 3-4 people will not be able to sit.
The functions of the bar counters in the interior
Depending on the location, size and equipment, bar counters can be used for the following purposes:
separation of space;
Provide practical zoning of the kitchen, kitchen-dining room or kitchen-living room. Such models are usually located in the aisles of studio apartments or in spacious kitchens.
replacing the dining table;
They represent a stylized table, which can be additionally equipped with shelves, extensions.
the addition of the kitchen with another worktop;
Despite their compactness, bar counters are great for preparing foods before cooking. They can also simultaneously act as a working area and a dining table.
increase in the working area and storage places for utensils.
The presence of shelves or equipping with compact cabinets, extensions of bar counters makes it easy to organize storage of dishes, seals, different bottles with oil, vinegar and cans with spices.
Types of designs
According to the design features and the format of the installed countertops, bar counters can be divided into the following categories:
Direct. They have the shape of a rectangle, can be a continuation of the working area (peninsular) or represent a separate element (near the wall - wall, in the center of the kitchen - island).
Rounded. Unusual models that have the shape of a semicircle. They are a great addition to stylized headsets. Usually complemented by shelves, a pair of thumbs.
Corner The L-shaped bar counter can immediately be used both as a dining table and as a working area. Such models can be an excellent substitute for a large-sized table: 5 or more people can be placed behind a corner counter.
When choosing models, non-standard products should also be considered separately. The bar counter can be a full replacement for the windowsill and can be located directly in front of the window. It can also be mobile: fold under the wall, slide over the headset under the worktop.
Bar counters can be both single-tier and two-tier. The second can be equipped with an additional shelf at the top or have a double countertop.
Size and dimensions
Each owner must choose the optimal size of the bar, based on the requirements of his family.In a house where adults, children and elderly people live, it is better to install a stand with a height of about 1-1.1 m. For a family of adults and a teenager, a model with a height of 1.1 to 1.5 m is suitable.
Of course, it should be supplemented with special chairs with steps for the comfort of its use during meals and rest. The dimensions of the countertops are also determined individually, based on the area of the premises to be equipped and its layout. But the tabletop depth of about 80 cm and a length of about 1-1.5 m is considered optimal for use. For a window-sill rack, the depth can be from 40 to 60 cm. But island models for small kitchens are better to choose with dimensions of about 1x0.6 m.
Performance style
Depending on the design features and materials used, bar counters have the following style:
loft: models with decoration in stone, burnt wood, brick;
modern and hi-tech: racks in combinations of gray, white and black, usually complemented by glass countertops or front walls of glass, can be equipped with bright LED lights;
Provence: light wooden models, can be plain or craquelure (antique)
classic: solid wooden models in any shades of brown, usually not painted, but covered with varnish or wax;
industrial: wooden models in gray, black tones or with sheets of metal (most often installed in themed cafes);
modern, urban: models in bright colors, which can be supplemented with tiles, plastic panels in a single-color version or with photo printing.
Base materials
The main requirements for the assembled base of the bar are reliability and durability. This is especially true for models that will be used daily as a kitchen table. The following materials can be used to make the foundation of the structure (with shelves, stands, or without them):
Wooden beam and slats (the outside is lined with plywood, boards).
Metal profile (suitable for assembling a drywall rack).
Metal corners, channel (used for welding the most durable base racks for themed cafes, can be partially or fully covered with metal sheets, boards, panels).
Brick (allows you to lay a reliable and durable foundation, such foundations can even be used to make racks in rest rooms in bathhouses).
Metal pipes (chrome supports make it easy and simple to make the simplest rack in a modern design).
The choice of materials for countertops
When choosing a countertop for making a beautiful bar counter with your own hands, you can consider the following materials:
Solid wood: allows you to create a solid and reliable countertop, but requires antiseptic treatment and coating with varnish, wax.
MDF or particleboard: great for assembling a budget stand, can be covered with film, plastic; the owner himself can easily paste over such a countertop with PVC film or decorate it with mosaic.
Glass: neat glass worktops give a special charm to the assembled products, but it is difficult to maintain the purity of such a material.
Artificial stone: countertops made of this material are wear-resistant, have an attractive appearance and fit well into the classic interior.
Wood + resin: such countertops can be attributed to the most popular for cafes and modern interiors, the presence of a thick layer of resin (or its location between parts of the tree) provides an original look of the rack.
Do-it-yourself step-by-step workshops on making a bar counter
Below we examined the master classes on making different types of bar counters with your own hands. Please note that before starting work, you must definitely perform the following work:
Measure the room (kitchen, kitchen-living room, kitchen-dining room) in which this addition will be collected.
Determine the permissible (or optimal) dimensions for the structure.It is necessary to consider whether the countertop will protrude above the base or not.
Determine the design of the rack: recess for sitting behind it, as at a table; the need to install shelves or to install under the countertop curbstones.
Make a detailed drawing of the bar with dimensions of height, width, depth of the finished object.
Separately, draw up a diagram for the base and countertops, taking into account their exact dimensions.
Necessary materials and tools
In preparation for the manufacture of the bar, you need to purchase all the materials and choose the right tools. Our simple hint will help you do this:
For a wooden product: timber, planks, slats, screwdriver, wood screws, antiseptic, stain (or paint), varnish (or wax).
For drywall products: a screwdriver, guides and rack profiles, self-tapping screws for drywall and metal, sheets of drywall.
For a brick stand: brick, sand, cement, anchor, thin pins, trowel.
For mobile (folding construction): MDF, furniture hinges and corners, dowels, wooden slats.
For a model with a support pipe: a pair of angle brackets, a bar pipe (or chrome furniture pipe), a mount and a support for the pipe with the corresponding parameters.
Be sure in the process of work (regardless of other materials) you need a pencil, level. A square will also be useful.
Wooden bar counter
From wood you can assemble a very stylish and modern rack with shelves, which allows you to compactly store kitchen utensils. To assemble the base, it is recommended to use a 5x5 cm beam. The lining will be carried out by a burnt board. As a tabletop, you can use both solid wood and MDF. Work is carried out in the following master class:
The floor marks the installation location of the rack in the form of a rectangle. A pair of squares is separated on the sides - shelves will be placed on the sides of our rack.
Pieces of timber are mounted around the perimeter of future pedestals (drawn squares) and under a blank wall to the floor using anchors. Where people will be sitting at the counter, there is no need to mount the beam.
Vertical supports for future stands are being assembled - 4 for each of them. Vertical supports for a blank wall are also installed (at a distance of 30-40 cm).
The upper beam is being installed (similar to the lower one) + a horizontal support is mounted under the countertop from the side where people will sit.
The lateral parts of future pedestals, as well as the future wall (inside and outside) are sheathed with a board.
The cabinets are additionally lined with MDF or plywood from the inside. Mounting under the shelves inside the cabinets is being carried out.
A worktop is installed (on studs, dowels or attached from underneath). Shelves are being installed.
The tree is being processed.
Drywall
Plasterboard bar counters are quite easy to assemble even by a lay person. Moisture-resistant sheets are usually used for work. But to create a rounded stand, the use of ordinary thin sheets is allowed: they will easily bend. To protect materials from moisture, gluing with moisture-resistant wallpaper is additionally carried out. Special drywall or thick ordinary drywall can be glued with film, tile, artificial stone. The assembly work itself is carried out as follows:
Marks are placed on the floor and wall for the location of the profiles. The distance between the parallel guide profiles can be about 30-50 cm.
Installation of guide profiles on the floor and wall is being carried out. Horizontal bridges are mounted between the floor profiles to strengthen the structure.
Rack profiles are mounted: they are installed in guides vertically. From above, guide profiles are fixed to them (they will be the basis for the countertop).
The finished base is sheathed with sheets of drywall. Joints are grouted and walls are finished.
The worktop is being installed: laminated chipboard or MDF.
Stone / brick
The construction of a brick bar counter takes a lot of time, but it looks luxurious and will serve the owners as long as possible. At the same time, it is recommended to make it U-shaped: so the internal recess will ensure the comfort of sitting behind the bar. You can make such an addition for your kitchen with your own hands according to the following scheme:
Marking of the site (part of the floor and wall), where the wall stand will be located. These surfaces are then leveled to create maximum traction. A solution is made of cement and sand in a ratio of 1 to 3.
A layer of mortar is laid out on the floor, on top of it the first layer of brick. The joints of adjacent elements are well smeared with a solution. Checks the evenness of the first row.
2 and 3 rows are being laid. Then the anchor is driven into the wall and the next row is laid. The anchor tab will ensure the adjoining density of the brick stand to the kitchen wall. Driving in anchors should be carried out every 3-4 rows.
The last row is complemented by 2-4 short pins for the nozzle countertops made of wood or MDF. The structure is also cleaned from excess solution.
After the solution has dried, the rack is decorated with a decorative stone (for example, in one corner near the wall).
Checking the evenness of the structure is both horizontal and vertical. If the brick protrudes above the plane, it should be set using a rubber mallet. If the height of the brick is insufficient relative to the general plane of the row, it is removed, the mortar is added, and the brick is reinstalled in a row.
Bar counter with pipe support
Using a support tube and MDF board or an array of wood (of any shape) for manufacturing, you can make a very simple and stylish stand. Its manufacture is carried out as follows:
Preparation of countertops of the desired shape.The tree can be filed, rounded, coated with an antiseptic, stain or varnish. The MDF plate is also cut, glued with PVC film on top.
A couple of corners are screwed to the edge of the countertop, which will adjoin the wall. On the opposite side (remote from the wall), a stop-nozzle is mounted under the selected bar pipe.
The workpiece is turned over. Corner attachment points are marked on the wall, dowels are being installed. The location of the pipe is marked on the floor and a special support is mounted under it - the “heel”.
The rack is installed in the chosen place, the pipe is fixed (installed in the heel) and the corners are fastened.
Foldable bar counter for a small kitchen
Making a compact rack is optimal for a small kitchen. You can fix the countertop along the wall (to create a folding add-on), and you can also fix the sliding mechanism between the headset worktop and the cabinet under it (to install the pull-out add-on). To make a simple folding rack, the work is carried out in the following master class:
With the help of durable furniture corners (for example, for mounting shelves), a wooden board is attached to the free wall of the kitchen.
To the fixed board with the help of loops, the counter top itself is fixed (from MDF or a non-thick solid wood). Thus, the assembled structure can both be folded out and folded.
To fix the countertops in the unfolded state, a vertical board is attached to the wall.
Using the same furniture hinges, a wooden corner is mounted to the vertical board (the right angle should be located directly under the tabletop and wall). You can make a corner from the rails.
In addition, a stopper for the corner is installed on the underside of the countertop (this can be a dowel or rubber pad attached to the countertop.)
Bar counter instead of window sill
Installation of a conventional bar counter due to the small size of the kitchen is not always possible. In such a situation, installing this add-on as a window sill is fully justified. Such a rack can be used both as an auxiliary work area and as a dining table. Similar designs have the following features:
They partially enter the wall, thus their fixation is reliable.
Under the large countertop of the window-sill racks, you can easily place auxiliary cabinets or compartments with shelves.
With a full arrangement of the kitchen, you can order or make a rack-windowsill, which will be a continuation of the countertops of the headset itself.
If desired, the manufactured stand can have both a flat and slightly rounded, curly edge.
Backlight and Rack Lighting
The use of different types of lights and illuminators for the bar counter allows you to select it in the interior as profitably as possible. The lighting option using LED strips is quite popular. They can be mounted under the countertop, thus illuminating the space under the counter. For bars and apartments decorated in hi-tech or modern style, the option of highlighting a glass countertop or a worktop made of wood and resin is useful.
Luminous fluxes passing through a transparent layer emphasize the originality of the design. For two-tier models (with a high upper shelf), the option of installing point recessed downlights is suitable. But over single-tier racks you can hang 2-3 identical chandeliers with shades of strict geometric shape. Also, 3-4 different chandeliers with metal shades in the form of polyhedrons hanging over the lamp rack of Edison became a popular solution.
Decor and bar counter accessories
The choice of jewelry and accessories for the bar should be based on its style. Commonly used solutions include:
Finishing the front and side walls under the carriage coupler.This option is suitable for classic wooden models.
Installation of translucent plastic panels or frosted glass with backlight.
Decorating the tabletop with improvised materials: laying out coins or metal covers from soda and beer and their subsequent pouring with epoxy resin, decoupage of the surface with newspapers, sheets of books or notes.
As useful accessories, you can consider installing a pipe with chrome shelves. This option is suitable even for a single-tier model: the upper part of the pipe will be fixed immediately to the ceiling. Two-tier models can be supplemented with storage tanks.
Conclusion
A beautiful bar can be a good addition to any apartment, house or modern summer cottage. Such furniture will give an original look to the interior and emphasize its unusualness. In this case, it is not necessary to order the manufacture of a bar counter to the masters: the owners can do it with their own hands. Various materials are suitable for work. For example, an approximate to the classical model can be assembled from wood, plywood, MDF. A simple modern rack will not be difficult to make from profiles and drywall. You can decorate it with a variety of materials: artificial stone, wallpaper, plastic panels. If desired, the finished design can be supplemented with a second tier for the convenience of connecting the backlight and creating an auxiliary level for storing glasses. With careful drawing up of drawings and exact adherence to step-by-step master classes, everyone can make a practical and reliable bar counter.
Non-standard equipment of the kitchen makes it easy to update its interior, to give it a modern and stylish look. One of the budget and practical ways to equip the kitchen can be considered the manufacture of a bar counter with your own hands. Such an element can act as a conditional zone separator, replace the dining table and provide the comfort of storing dishes, kitchen accessories and utensils. Below we talked about what bar racks are and what features each type has. We also created step-by-step master classes that will help you to easily make a stand of wood, drywall, brick. Simple instructions and an indication of the required tools and materials will help to organize the kitchen without errors. Also, among the proposed lighting and decor options, you can easily find a way to uniquely style the installed add-on.
Content
Features - advantages and disadvantages of the interior with a bar
The convenience and practicality of bar counters in the interior must be taken into account before equipping your kitchen or kitchen-dining room with such an element. The main advantages of these elements include:
The disadvantages of additions include the inconvenience of use by small children and older people due to the high location of the countertops. Also at the mini-racks used as a dining table, at the same time more than 3-4 people will not be able to sit.
The functions of the bar counters in the interior
Depending on the location, size and equipment, bar counters can be used for the following purposes:
Provide practical zoning of the kitchen, kitchen-dining room or kitchen-living room. Such models are usually located in the aisles of studio apartments or in spacious kitchens.
They represent a stylized table, which can be additionally equipped with shelves, extensions.
Despite their compactness, bar counters are great for preparing foods before cooking. They can also simultaneously act as a working area and a dining table.
The presence of shelves or equipping with compact cabinets, extensions of bar counters makes it easy to organize storage of dishes, seals, different bottles with oil, vinegar and cans with spices.
Types of designs
According to the design features and the format of the installed countertops, bar counters can be divided into the following categories:
When choosing models, non-standard products should also be considered separately. The bar counter can be a full replacement for the windowsill and can be located directly in front of the window. It can also be mobile: fold under the wall, slide over the headset under the worktop.
Size and dimensions
Each owner must choose the optimal size of the bar, based on the requirements of his family.In a house where adults, children and elderly people live, it is better to install a stand with a height of about 1-1.1 m. For a family of adults and a teenager, a model with a height of 1.1 to 1.5 m is suitable.
Of course, it should be supplemented with special chairs with steps for the comfort of its use during meals and rest. The dimensions of the countertops are also determined individually, based on the area of the premises to be equipped and its layout. But the tabletop depth of about 80 cm and a length of about 1-1.5 m is considered optimal for use. For a window-sill rack, the depth can be from 40 to 60 cm. But island models for small kitchens are better to choose with dimensions of about 1x0.6 m.
Performance style
Depending on the design features and materials used, bar counters have the following style:
Base materials
The main requirements for the assembled base of the bar are reliability and durability. This is especially true for models that will be used daily as a kitchen table. The following materials can be used to make the foundation of the structure (with shelves, stands, or without them):
The choice of materials for countertops
When choosing a countertop for making a beautiful bar counter with your own hands, you can consider the following materials:
Do-it-yourself step-by-step workshops on making a bar counter
Below we examined the master classes on making different types of bar counters with your own hands. Please note that before starting work, you must definitely perform the following work:
Necessary materials and tools
In preparation for the manufacture of the bar, you need to purchase all the materials and choose the right tools. Our simple hint will help you do this:
Wooden bar counter
From wood you can assemble a very stylish and modern rack with shelves, which allows you to compactly store kitchen utensils. To assemble the base, it is recommended to use a 5x5 cm beam. The lining will be carried out by a burnt board. As a tabletop, you can use both solid wood and MDF. Work is carried out in the following master class:
Drywall
Plasterboard bar counters are quite easy to assemble even by a lay person. Moisture-resistant sheets are usually used for work. But to create a rounded stand, the use of ordinary thin sheets is allowed: they will easily bend. To protect materials from moisture, gluing with moisture-resistant wallpaper is additionally carried out. Special drywall or thick ordinary drywall can be glued with film, tile, artificial stone. The assembly work itself is carried out as follows:
Stone / brick
The construction of a brick bar counter takes a lot of time, but it looks luxurious and will serve the owners as long as possible. At the same time, it is recommended to make it U-shaped: so the internal recess will ensure the comfort of sitting behind the bar. You can make such an addition for your kitchen with your own hands according to the following scheme:
Bar counter with pipe support
Using a support tube and MDF board or an array of wood (of any shape) for manufacturing, you can make a very simple and stylish stand. Its manufacture is carried out as follows:
Foldable bar counter for a small kitchen
Making a compact rack is optimal for a small kitchen. You can fix the countertop along the wall (to create a folding add-on), and you can also fix the sliding mechanism between the headset worktop and the cabinet under it (to install the pull-out add-on). To make a simple folding rack, the work is carried out in the following master class:
Bar counter instead of window sill
Installation of a conventional bar counter due to the small size of the kitchen is not always possible. In such a situation, installing this add-on as a window sill is fully justified. Such a rack can be used both as an auxiliary work area and as a dining table. Similar designs have the following features:
Backlight and Rack Lighting
The use of different types of lights and illuminators for the bar counter allows you to select it in the interior as profitably as possible. The lighting option using LED strips is quite popular. They can be mounted under the countertop, thus illuminating the space under the counter. For bars and apartments decorated in hi-tech or modern style, the option of highlighting a glass countertop or a worktop made of wood and resin is useful.
Luminous fluxes passing through a transparent layer emphasize the originality of the design. For two-tier models (with a high upper shelf), the option of installing point recessed downlights is suitable. But over single-tier racks you can hang 2-3 identical chandeliers with shades of strict geometric shape. Also, 3-4 different chandeliers with metal shades in the form of polyhedrons hanging over the lamp rack of Edison became a popular solution.
Decor and bar counter accessories
The choice of jewelry and accessories for the bar should be based on its style. Commonly used solutions include:
As useful accessories, you can consider installing a pipe with chrome shelves. This option is suitable even for a single-tier model: the upper part of the pipe will be fixed immediately to the ceiling. Two-tier models can be supplemented with storage tanks.
Conclusion
A beautiful bar can be a good addition to any apartment, house or modern summer cottage. Such furniture will give an original look to the interior and emphasize its unusualness. In this case, it is not necessary to order the manufacture of a bar counter to the masters: the owners can do it with their own hands. Various materials are suitable for work. For example, an approximate to the classical model can be assembled from wood, plywood, MDF. A simple modern rack will not be difficult to make from profiles and drywall. You can decorate it with a variety of materials: artificial stone, wallpaper, plastic panels. If desired, the finished design can be supplemented with a second tier for the convenience of connecting the backlight and creating an auxiliary level for storing glasses. With careful drawing up of drawings and exact adherence to step-by-step master classes, everyone can make a practical and reliable bar counter.