Loads of kitchens nowadays have both an island or a bar and that’s one thing which transcends type since there are lots of implausible designs to select from and in addition lots of fascinating methods through which you may make your personal kitchen look particular with the assistance of customized furnishings and equipment.
The kitchen island and kitchen bar are similar to one another with one main distinction: an island is a standalone countertop space whereas a bar is connected to both an present countertop or to a wall.
That being mentioned, a kitchen island with seating isn’t the identical factor as a bar, even when it could appear to be it. Take a look at a few of our favourite island and residential bar concepts under and establish the variations between them by your self.
A kitchen can double as an area divider
Loads of instances a kitchen island would function a separator between the kitchen space and the eating space or the lounge. The identical can be mentioned a few kitchen bar, though the circumstances, in that case, are usually a bit completely different. This lovely kitchen was a venture by CVI Design.
Versatile designs can fulfill a number of features without delay
As we already talked about, each a kitchen island and a bar can function a seating and generally a kitchen island may even perform as a bar even when technically it doesn’t fulfill the design situations. This kitchen designed by Lisa Teague Studios is a pleasant instance of how versatile these ideas actually are.
There’s at all times options for small areas
You is perhaps questioning when precisely it’s higher to have a kitchen bar versus an island. Normally, a bar fits kitchens that are lengthy slightly than sq. or small kitchens the place an everyday island wouldn’t match. In fact, options additionally exist, like this small bar-like desk on this kitchen designed by Asun Antó of Coton et Bois.
A kitchen island or bar can add extra storage to this space
Each an island and a kitchen bar have the function of including storage and performance to the area and offering additional counter area for varied actions.
That’s why usually the phrases are used interchangeably or why sure designs are usually hybrids with featured borrowed from each sorts. This can be a kitchen designed by Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole of Kandrac & Kole Inside Design.
A big island or bar additionally provides extra counter area to the kitchen
Whether or not you go for a kitchen island or for a bar, the concept is kind of the identical: extra counter and space for storing, the choice so as to add seating and the chance to have a bodily separator between the cooking space and the remainder of the area which frequently consists of the eating room and residing space. On this instance, the venture was accomplished by The Design Studio.
It’s attainable to have each a kitchen island and a bar
Provided that the kitchen island and the bar are so much like each other however on the identical time they present clear variations by way of design and construction, is there a degree in having each?
Clearly, all of it will depend on the context. It has to do with how a lot area is out there, the best way through which it’s used and in addition the customers’ wants and preferences. Take a look at this advanced kitchen by Weber Design Group for example.
Additional helpful options can embody a built-in kitchen and a few storage
This lovely coastal kitchen has a big and stylish island which features lots like a house bar. There’s bar stool seating on one aspect and a built-in sink and loads of helpful storage on the opposite. Three hanging pendant lamps full the setup. This can be a venture by Stephen Alexander Houses.
An L-shaped bar helps to border the kitchen in an open flooring plan
A bar can neatly spherical up a kitchen and provides it a whole and arranged look even when half of a big open flooring plan. A very good instance is that this unbelievable kitchen designed by Mary McWilliams of Mary Mac & Firm. The bar frames the kitchen and comes within the continuation of the countertop, creating a way of privateness.
Hybrid designs mean you can have an island and bar mixed
We talked about earlier than that hybrid designs which convey collectively the most effective of kitchen islands and residential bars are attainable and even fascinating in some instances.
For instance, studio Martha’s Winery Inside Design created this beautiful setup the place there’s a freestanding island with two completely different countertop heights. One aspect acts as an everyday kitchen island whereas the opposite is a superb bar.
Most islands can double as bars if you happen to add seating on one aspect
Right here you’ll be able to see a really welcoming kitchen with this massive island on the heart that has bar stools on one aspect and a wonderfully sensible prep space on the opposite.
There’s a built-in sink which frees up extra counter area alongside the primary wall and a large island countertop which provides a way of completion. That is the creation of studio Jennifer Allison Design.
You don’t essentially want a big kitchen to have an island or a bar
Inside designer Sarah Bartholomew reveals right here that you just don’t want a really massive kitchen so as to have the ability to add a house bar. In truth, kitchen bars are commonest in slightly small areas which are usually lengthy and comparatively slender.
Two matching islands may probably work in the proper context
Studio Tracery Interiors gave this large kitchen not one however two islands. The thought was to unfold the kitchen alongside a complete wall and to border it with two matching islands with seating. Every island can be utilized in quite a lot of alternative ways and for quite a lot of functions.
Smaller islands and bars can nonetheless retain many of the performance or a bigger model
As you’ve seen, it’s attainable to combine and match the options of a kitchen island and a bar and even to have multiple island/ bar if the area permits it. However what about smaller kitchens?
Loads of instances a kitchen may appear too small for an island however usually it’s a matter of perspective. We love this design by Blue Ladder Studio. It reveals how versatile this complete concept is.
There’s loads of methods to combine kinds when designing your kitchen island
On this kitchen Studio Steidley has mixed rustic and trendy design parts to create a really nice and harmonious composition.
The island has a white countertop which matches the remainder of the workspace in addition to the furnishings, with a wood floor seen on the opposite aspect. The stools match properly underneath the counter and don’t have backrests which helps to make sure a fluid and open decor all through this complete open area.
Bar stools that may match underneath the island preserve the realm trying huge and open
Selecting stools that match beneath the kitchen island counter or underneath the bar is a pleasant concept, particularly if the kitchen opens onto the eating room or the residing space and also you wish to create a powerful connection between these areas. Take inspiration from this inside accomplished by Jenny Madden Design.
A kitchen island or a bar can have seating on multiple aspect
Normally, a kitchen island or a bar would function seating solely on one aspect however that’s not essentially a rule you could comply with, as very effectively exemplified on this seaside home designed by Lindsey Cheek of Gathered. The countertop cantilevered a small bit on all sides, permitting bar stools to be unfold throughout.
DIY kitchen island and bar initiatives and concepts
Altering the ambiance with a kitchen island makeover
Whether or not it’s intentional or not, the island is often the centerpiece of the kitchen and an vital a part of what creates a sure kind of ambiance on this a part of the home.
Associated: 20 Methods to Create a French Nation Kitchen
With that in thoughts, an efficient manner so as to add a contemporary contact to your kitchen is by giving the island a makeover. A change of coloration can generally do the trick. Take a look at the transition from black to to a beautiful duck egg blue nuance featured on artsychicksrule for a little bit of inspiration.
A small island with built-in trash storage
The scale of the kitchen island is irrelevant if you embody sure options within the design, like a built-in trash storage system for instance. This design shared by shadesofblueinteriors positively has loads of cool concepts that you may borrow.
It’s designed to be compact and tremendous sensible and it seems to be lovely as effectively. We actually love this technique as a result of it’s tremendous sensible to only sweep every part proper into the bin if you’re prepping or cooking meals. It’s additionally space-efficient.
Turning a bookshelf right into a kitchen island
When you at present don’t have a kitchen island or if you happen to’d like to exchange the present one with one thing completely different, an excellent easy concept is to repurpose a bookshelf.
Search for one which has the dimensions and form that you just’re proud of and the transformation will comply with. Make sure you try the venture on littleglassjar to get an concept of what it takes to do one thing like this.
A wood kitchen island created from scratch
When you’ve got a good suggestion in thoughts of how the perfect kitchen island or bar seems to be like for you, constructing it from scratch is perhaps the best and surest solution to flip that right into a actuality.
Wooden might be the most effective materials for this. It’s very versatile, straightforward to work with and accessible. Observe the tutorial featured on build-basic if you happen to’re occupied with making an attempt this venture.
Make an island out of particular person modules
As an alternative of constructing the island or kitchen bar from scratch, body and every part, a neater choice could possibly be to make it out of present particular person modules.
You would put collectively two or three cupboard modules which have matching heights and that complement one another after which unify them with a countertop. That’s the concept behind the venture featured on classyclutter so test it out if this sounds fascinating.
lengthen or customise a kitchen island
Chances are high you have already got an island or a bar in your kitchen. It’s additionally fairly believable that you just’re not 100{fef176cfe070174158fd7b214e43cb102580b177a66861132e9b8746d895dffd} proud of the best way it seems to be or with the performance it affords.
Each of this stuff may be remedied with slightly little bit of effort out of your half. On thriftydecorchick yow will discover some actually cool and galvanizing concepts on how one can make an island larger, add extra storage to it or give it a contemporary new look altogether. It’s simpler than you suppose however needless to say every venture is exclusive and has completely different necessities.
Turning an outdated desk right into a kitchen island
When you concentrate on it, some furnishings items are fairly much like each other. As an example, a desk is pretty much like a kitchen island and a few designs are higher than others on this case.
This venture from myoldcountryhouse reveals how straightforward it’s to repurpose an outdated desk into an island simply by making a couple of adjustments like including a brand new countertop and placing wheels on it. In fact, a contemporary coat of paint actually helps the transition too.