Shapes and types of bar counters for the hall
There are several varieties.
Straight
It will be an excellent solution for larger rooms. Straight classic tabletops are complemented with high chairs or half-chairs with footrests.
Corner
Corner-type structures are excellent, not only for significant space savings, but also for its effective zoning. Most often, such bar counters are a continuation of the kitchen unit, which makes them a dividing element between the kitchen and the living room.
Semicircular
Semicircular bar surfaces are perfect for decorating small rooms. These models make the atmosphere in the room lighter and more relaxed and can be a full-fledged home bar.
The photo shows a semicircular bar counter in the interior of a small living room.
Retractable
Thanks to the mobility of the retractable design, it is possible to use it only when necessary and thereby not clutter up the space.
Round
It has a truly luxurious and presentable appearance and contributes to a more comfortable seating position. However, these models will be much more appropriate for spacious living rooms.
Folding
It has a wall mount, due to which the folding transformable tabletop does not interfere at all when folded and does not occupy the usable area of the room.
With rounded edges
Such bends give the structure lightness and plasticity. The rounded model not only fits harmoniously into the decor, but also softens the angularity of the interior.
The photo shows the interior of a modern kitchen-living room with a gray bar counter with rounded edges.
Two-level
It is distinguished by the presence of two levels, one of which can be, for example, a dining table or work area, and the second can serve as the bar counter itself.
Mini bar counter
It will be the most optimal solution for the most profitable distribution of space and freeing up additional space in a small room in a Khrushchev-type apartment.
The photo shows a small room in light colors, decorated with a compact mini-bar counter.
Types of bar counters
The very first and most frequently used option is a bar counter that separates the kitchen and the living room.
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Such racks are called dividers, as they do a good job of dividing the total area into two zones, one of which would be comfortable for relaxing, and the other for preparing food.
Another recently popular option is the island counter. This option is increasingly preferred by young people.
The structure in this case is located approximately in the middle of the room and looks like an independent complex. Suitable only if the room area is large enough.
Where is the best place to place a bar counter in a room?
The most commonly used location options.
Behind the sofa
This placement is especially beneficial if the design and appearance of the sofa is combined with the bar structure. This way it turns out to create a more monolithic, harmonious and holistic design.
The photo shows a closed bar counter located behind the sofa in the living room interior.
In the corner of the living room
A compact bar corner will allow you to maintain the functionality of the room, will not clutter up the space and create discomfort during use. This convenient location will create a convenient layout and a pleasant atmosphere.
Near the window
An excellent solution for a small living room with a lot of furniture. The location near the window unloads the room and allows free movement.
Along the wall
A stationary tabletop placed along the wall most often has a shallow depth, due to which it looks very compact and becomes an ideal option for a narrow room.
In the middle of Hall
It is quite a bold and interesting option, allowing you to make the bar counter a free-standing central interior element, which provides functional and convenient use of the countertop from all sides.
Instead of a partition between the kitchen and living room
Even if there is a large dining table in the kitchen-living room, it can be supplemented with a compact bar counter, which will also serve as a functional partition. Island, modular, two-level structures and closed or open models would be appropriate here.
Between the hall and the balcony
A bar structure instead of a balcony block or in place of a window sill is considered a fairly common and functional interior solution that provides excellent zoning of space.
The photo shows a living room and a balcony space, separated by a bar counter.
Bar counters in different styles
The large selection of bar counters is amazing. The size and model of the structure should be selected based on the chosen style of the room. A stand in neutral colors (beige or gray) will be universal. Different models will suit different styles.
Country
Many are striving for clean, eco-friendly design in the province. Only natural materials and shades of nature are used here.
Completely inappropriate: plastic, glass, chrome and other new items. All equipment must be hidden in cabinets.
Country suggests things with antiquity, that is, with cracks, old scuffs. It is better to replace stylish materials (chrome and glass) with brass and copper.
Scandinavian style
The penchant for minimalism, space and lots of lighting is country style. For this trend, the kitchen is often combined with the living room. Here the counter will become a partition between zones.
A minimum of decor, nothing superfluous: stucco, carvings, trinkets. It is better to choose light natural tones.
High tech
A popular option with laconic shapes and colors, where plastic, leather, metal and glass reign.
A bright, unusual design direction requires rich colors with chrome surfaces. You can use in the design: white and black options, green, blue, yellow, red, orange, purple and other bright shades.
Loft
For a large living room, a loft style is suitable. Industrial elements are used in decoration:
- brick walls;
- metal boxes;
- pipes.
It is better to make the bar counter from metal and glass and the table top from wood.
Color palette of bar counters
This design is the main element of the living room, so you should be especially careful about its color design. For example, using a red, black model or a wenge-colored stand, you can endow the decor with a certain pomp, extravagance and chic, and when using a beige, white or any other model in a neutral shade, you can create a calm, elegant and very harmonious design.
The tabletop can combine equally well with the overall color scheme of the interior or, on the contrary, act as a bright and contrasting accent.
What material is used?
A variety of materials are used for manufacturing, each having its own advantages and disadvantages.
- Tree.
- Glass.
- Stone.
- Fiberboard or MDF.
The photo shows the interior of the room with an open bar counter made of stone.
If the structure is well made, then it does not matter at all whether it is made of natural or artificial materials.
Advantages of a bar counter in living room design
A living room with a bar counter is considered multifunctional and comfortable. This design can replace a dining table or simply become a bar corner where you can hold noisy parties with friends. Bar counters have their own specific advantages:
- Compactness. This is an important quality that is valued in a small apartment. In a room where every square meter counts, this is an important criterion.
- Large number of seats. Thanks to the rounded edges on the bar top, you can seat many people at it.
- Simple and quick serving. To set a full dinner table you need to use a lot of dishes and spend a lot of time. Setting up a bar counter is much easier.
- Original and extraordinary appearance. If your living room is combined with a kitchen, then divide the room with a bar counter. The room will immediately acquire a special atmosphere.
- Ideal for furnishing apartments and country houses. Now the bar counter has ceased to be associated with bars and public places. Such designs have taken a permanent place in our living rooms.
Living room design ideas in various styles
Each style direction requires certain characteristic colors, materials, decorative elements and accessories, so it is desirable that the style of the bar counter be as consistent as possible with the overall design.
Modern style
In a modern interior, the design can be used in almost any design and color scheme. The main thing is that it takes into account spatial features and is a harmonious logical continuation of the design.
The photo shows a spacious room in a modern style, decorated with a small closed bar counter.
Classical
For classic or neoclassical designs, island-shaped models or wall-mounted countertops made from natural wood or stone, such as marble, granite or onyx, would be an excellent solution. Standard rectangular structures with laconic packaging would also be appropriate here.
Minimalism
The simplest geometric models without unnecessary decorative elements should be a rectangular structure that reveals its beauty in combination with other interior elements.
The photo shows a rectangular bar counter located between the kitchen and living room in a minimalist style.
Loft
Wooden, concrete, and stone countertops with an all-metal or brick base look especially stylish in urban design. This design will undoubtedly form a magnificent tandem with the overall interior composition.
Provence
For a light, natural and simple French style or rustic country style, natural wooden tabletops painted in pastel colors are perfect. Antique racks, for example with the effect of artificial aging, will also look very organic.
Scandinavian
Retractable, folding, stationary semicircular, square or rectangular models with a discreet design, made of solid wood, will harmoniously blend into the leisurely and unusual national Nordic style.
Examples of bar counter lighting
Most often, these designs are decorated with overhead spotlights, pendant lamps or LED strip. Various lighting allows you not only to highlight the bar area, but also to create a spectacular interior accent.
The photo shows a bar counter decorated with lighting in the form of pendant lamps in a high-tech style hall.
How to incorporate a bar counter into your living room design
If a bar counter is used as a divider into zones in the interior design of the living room, then it needs to be visually highlighted. Several methods have been developed for this. Let's consider each of them in order.
The bar counter can be used as a dining table or as a work surface
Color selection of the bar counter in the living room interior
The bar counter must be color-coded to one of the zones. Either it should repeat the color of the kitchen furniture, or have a palette used in the living room. The whole point of highlighting a bar counter should not be on the tabletop itself, but on the border that it symbolizes.
The bar counter completely matches the color of the walls and floor
Textured highlighting of the bar counter in the living room
The base of the bar counter can be made in any way. It all depends on your taste preferences. There are no restrictions or strict rules. True, you still have to comply with several design laws:
- Brick cladding of the bar counter is suitable in a high-tech or loft style living room.
- For rooms in a classic style, you should give preference to solid wood or natural stone in decoration.
- Wood is also appropriate to use in living rooms stylized in country or Scandinavian style.
At the same time, you should not cover the bar counter with tiles. It is only appropriate if you decide to lay out a complex mosaic.
The bar counter can be an extension of the work surface in the kitchen-living room
Illumination of the bar counter in the decor of the living room
This is a great way to highlight a bar area, but only a few use it. And in vain. If you carefully consider the lighting of the combined space, then at the same time divide the room into several semantic zones:
- kitchen;
- home bar;
- living room;
- personal relaxation area.
It is appropriate to use not only spotlights and pendant chandeliers here. The bar counter can be “lit” from the inside. Make a translucent tabletop and integrate lighting into it. This is difficult to do, but you will get an exotic interior. It is much easier to highlight the base of the structure. You can even do this yourself.
Design of bar counters in the interior of an apartment
A design with a fireplace will transform the appearance of the living room, give it a completely new sound and expand design possibilities. A tabletop framed by an opening in the form of an arch or columns made of plasterboard and other materials stands out very favorably from the overall design without disturbing the harmony. Well-thought-out fittings, in the form of central, side shelves or a hanging system mounted on the ceiling, will provide the opportunity to conveniently place bottles, glasses or various utensils.
The photo shows a living room with a bar counter equipped with side shelves and a hanging system for glasses.
Creating such a creative and piquant composition in the living room makes you want to invite guests and have a fun cocktail party.
Pros of placing a bar counter in the living room
The design of a room with a bar counter will delight apartment residents not only with functionality, but also with convenience.
Very often, bar counters in the living room interior can serve as a bar corner, a classic table, or a place for organizing truly noisy parties.
- Easy to serve. By installing a bar counter at home, you will forever be able to forget about a large amount of time and items that previously had to be used to decorate a large dining table;
- Thanks to the rounded edges of the design, all guests can fit at once behind the counter;
- The small size of the structures will ensure the possibility of installing this piece of furniture in almost any room, and even a very small apartment, where literally every five centimeters can play an important role.
