Options for bar counters for the interior of the living room

In many modern apartments, especially small ones, such an element of the interior as a bar counter is common, which is not surprising, since it is a modern and functional solution. It looks great in the most diverse residential areas and gives a certain level of comfort.

The bar counter allows you to move away from the standard design and diversify the interior of the living room

The benefits of a bar in the living room

The bar in the living room has a number of undeniable advantages:

1. Rational use of space. If the dining table in the kitchen or in the living room occupies a fairly large area, plus the kitchen chairs around it eat up space, then with a bar counter, space savings are obvious. It is compact in itself, plus bar stools are also more compact than usual. In addition, you can use the space under the tabletop to store kitchen accessories, small household appliances and utensils by placing various drawers and shelves there.
2. Zoning of the apartment. In modern apartments, the living room and kitchen are often combined due to the small area. In this embodiment, the bar in the living room is the best way to separate the zones of cooking and eating.
3. Aesthetics. Fits well in almost any interior design. Due to the variety of shapes, colors and materials, the bar in the living room will be appropriate in the apartment with any interior style, be it classic, loft, minimalism, provence. or some other.

Types of bar counter designs

Despite the apparent simplicity of the design, a variety of its models are found in the interior of the living room with a bar counter:

• The angular model is optimal in a limited area. It can often be a continuation of the kitchen. It makes it possible to use square meters as efficiently as possible.
  

  Corner designs are best suited to save space and are most often used in kitchens.

• A two-tier rack is a combination of two countertops located at different heights. This model is indispensable in families with children - it is convenient for them to dine and draw or play at the bottom tabletop, and adults can comfortably sit behind the top.
  

  The upper level acts as the bar itself, and the lower can serve as a dining table or work surface

• The partition wall, as the name implies, acts as a partition between the living room and the corridor, or between rooms. It is functional and modern, because instead of a wall or a screen in the interior there is a laconic and roomy design.
  

  Such a stand becomes a natural partition between the kitchen and the living room

• Rack-island is appropriate in large apartments, located in the middle of the living room. often next to her in this embodiment have a sofa. Sometimes in this design it turns out to successfully fit the sink, oven, stove and many places for storage.
  

  The bar counter located in the middle of the room can become a central element of the living room interior.

Selection of bar counter material

When choosing a living room with a bar, you should consider all the pros and cons of the materials from which it will be made.

• Solid wood - looks presentable and expensive, indicates a sense of taste of the owners, but has a fairly high price and is demanding in care. It is advisable to process the countertop from time to time with special compounds in order to maintain a decent appearance for a long time.
  

  Exclusive models made of valuable wood are especially expensive

• MDF - fiberboard - is environmentally friendly, aesthetic and more affordable. It does not require special care, has a lot of color options.
  

  Despite its low cost, MDF bar counters can look pretty decent

• Metal is a practical and durable option. Successfully fit into the loft style.
  

  The bar counter on the base of the U-shaped steel profile fits perfectly into the industrial interior

• Fake diamond. The stone countertops of the bar counters are attractive and durable. Fits well in almost any interior. But not cheap and require careful care. Any spilled liquid can leave marks if they are not quickly eliminated. in addition, such designs are distinguished by their large weight.
  

  Place stone countertops only on a very solid foundation.

• Glass in the construction of racks is used a little less often, this is not the most practical option, but in certain style decisions you can not do without it.
  

  The bar counters of their tempered glass with integrated lighting look beautiful

• Plastic has a low price, easy maintenance, but this is not the most aesthetic and stylish option, however, in some interiors, especially minimalistic ones, it is very popular.
  

  Wall-mounted bar counter in white plastic

• Acrylic is a material due to its flexibility and plasticity that you can safely experiment with forms, giving the desired convexities and bends. Ideal for futuristic interiors.
  

  Acrylic stands are easy to care for, and they last quite a while

The choice of style for the bar

If you look at the photo of the bar counters in the living room in a modern style, you will notice that these designs are harmonious and appropriate in almost any style direction.

• Hi-tech: a metal countertop will fit perfectly, especially black, white or silver, as well as glass. Lighting will emphasize important points - you can place single lamps above a pillar or a chandelier with a strict geometric shape to create a unique atmosphere.
  

  High-tech bar counter should be a logical continuation of the design of the room

• Loft - the most suitable interior style for the location of bar counters. A wooden surface in combination with metal supports or frames, as well as a combination of wood and stone for concrete, will be appropriate. It was from this style direction that the fashion went to the racks themselves.
  

  Wooden bar counter with original industrial style superstructure

• Scandinavian - not so often involves a bar in the living room, although you can find very worthy stylish options. A tabletop made of wood or light-colored MDF in combination with thin-legged bar stools is what you need for Scandinavian cuisine.
  

  For a Nordic interior, the best solution would be a massive wooden worktop

• Classic style most often implies an array of material quality and standard regular shapes.
  

  In classic interiors, bar counters are finished with expensive and durable woods

• Provence is close to the classical, but it would be more appropriate to have a white or light stand, with elements of antiques or specially “aged”.
  

  In provence, antique racks with the effect of artificial aging will organically look

• Minimalism allows for scatter in materials - wood, plastic, MDF, etc. but the form should be concise and the design extremely simple.
  

  Minimalism prefers regular geometric shapes without unnecessary decorative elements.

Choosing the right lighting in the living room with a bar

In the lighting of the bar counter use various options. You can use spotlights, sconces, creating a special cozy atmosphere; pendant chandeliers. As an additional illumination, they make built-in lighting with LED lamps or LED strip.

Bar counter lighting with pendant lights

Rack lighting with spotlights integrated in the ceiling

According to the method of placement, lighting devices can be built into the ceiling above the tabletop along its perimeter, under the tabletop from the ends, or suspended on long cords.

The bar counter paired with pendant lights perfectly suits the role of the kitchen-living room space divider

Zoning space with a breakfast bar in the living room

If we talk about zoning the space in the apartment, then the bar counter is just that element of the interior that will allow you to correctly distinguish between the necessary zones. So, in small-sized apartments, where the kitchen is combined with the living room, the bar counter separates the space for cooking from the recreation area and the reception of guests, while not limiting visibility. That is, you can simultaneously cook food in the kitchen and watch TV in the living room, or talk with households.

The bar counter can separate a drawing room and the warmed balcony

The most common trick is the separation of the resistant living room and kitchen area

Bar counter as a space divider in a small studio apartment

Brick bar between the kitchen and living room

As follows from the foregoing, bar counters are a good solution in the interior of both small-sized apartments and in a large area. One has only to carefully approach the choice of design and placement options.

Video: Bar Design Ideas

Photos of the interior of the living room with a bar counter

How the bar counters in the living room look in the photo below: