How To Build A Breakfast Bar

Measurements and Choosing Your Bar Top

Before you start constructing anything, consider a few details.

Breakfast Bar Height

The average bar height is 42 inches tall. You want to keep your bar between 36-42 inches or else your barstools won’t fit under comfortably. Whether you want your bar built extending out from a wall, to create a division between spaces—or along an empty wall as a shelf—you need to leave an adequate passageway. Forty-two inches is the magic number, here, too. Remember, even if you have enough room to walk, you may need to fit appliances, furniture, or even a wheelchair through the space at one point or another. Before deciding where to build your bar, find the studs in the wall. You want to mount the bar on at least two studs, which are spaced 16 inches apart behind the drywall. Use a stud finder to locate them, then measure out where the bar will go.

How Deep Should a Bar Top Be?

Pretty much any solid surface, at least 24 inches deep, could make a beautiful bar top. Consider a solid piece of hardwood, cut straight or with its natural live edge. Or, purchase a solid surface countertop like Corian, use ¾-inch plywood, or something salvaged like an old door. Once you choose your top, cut it to size and finish as desired before making the base.

How to Build an Extension Bar

This style extends out from a wall, supported by a pedestal at the other end. Homeowners often choose this style to provide a division between the kitchen and family room. For the pedestal, you can purchase a 5-by-5-inch pre-made wooden beam, or use a salvaged porch pillar or an old barn beam.

How to Build a Breakfast Shelf

If you don’t have the room for a bar to extend out into the room, a shelf along the wall makes a nice place to eat your morning toast. For this style, you only need the bar top of your choice and a few shelf brackets or architectural corbels. If your bar is over 4 feet long, use more than two.

How to Create an Island Extension

If you already have a kitchen island, adding a breakfast bar is easier than you think. Simply buy and install a new countertop for the island that is a few feet larger on one side to create an overhang. If you can’t match the old counter you’re removing, never fear. Just opt for another color or material that coordinates equally well with the room

Other Breakfast Bar Options

If you’re not the handy type, or you want something temporary, consider purchasing a ready-made island on wheels. Here are some ideas to whet your appetite: a kitchen center and breakfast bar, and a breakfast bar on wheels. Once you have your breakfast bar in place, pop some cookies in the oven so you have something to savor while trying it out.