Kitchen Bar Ideas | eHow

Define the outline of your kitchen with an L shaped bar that offers open work space along one side and an overhang for stools and dining on the other. This plan works best for homes with a great room where the kitchen takes up one section of the room and the family room takes up another. The smallest side of the L may be an extension of the counter tops, but with no upper cabinets to block the view. The longest section of the L has a deep bar top with room for two to four bar stools along the backside. Both sections of the bar include storage in the way of base cabinets.

Create a pass through bar with an opening from your kitchen to your dining room. Opening the dividing wall in the center is an added design element as well as a matter of convenience. The bar top can also be used as a buffet station for simple food service. You can add sliding or louvered doors to the pass through bar opening so that your kitchen is not always on display.

You can add drop down table to the back of an existing bar for added dining capabilities. It's simple to add a drop down table to the back of your bar; use metal brackets to attach a section of counter top onto the bar back, bracing it every two feet for the length of the bar. The height of your drop down dining bar can be anywhere from 27 to 32 inches, or lower if you prefer to make it more kid friendly.

Extend the counter top along one end of your kitchen island to make a small dining bar for two or three. This added convenience for your family is a great place for the kids to have a snack or breakfast while you're busy in the kitchen. You'll also have increased work space when the dining bar is not being used.