These 10 Bar Ideas Make the Perfect Addition to Any Kitchen

If you’re looking to expand your seating set-up or give yourself a more obvious place to entertain, a kitchen bar can be a great way to do it. And since no bar is complete without a couple of chic bar stools, a kitchen bar gives you the opportunity to bring a pop of color, texture, or visual flair into your space, too.

Of course, there are many different ways to bring a kitchen bar into your space. You could add a kitchen island, reimagine some of the countertops you already have, or spring for a full-blown renovation. But remember, as long as you have a couple of places to sit—and room to eat or drink—you should have everything you need to make a kitchen bar happen.

Take a look at some of the prettiest kitchen bars we've ever seen and consider some design ideas you could bring into your own space. You’ll be glad you put in the work the next time you’re chowing down at your eat-in kitchen—or hosting a wine night at your new bar.

01 Pick a Palette That Wows

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Kitchen bars provide an opportunity to have fun with your décor. They’re typically made up of three pieces—your bar, your bar stools, and the lighting above your bar—so you have several different elements to play with.

You can paint your bar a bold color and choose bar stools that complement it. Or, you can use lighting fixtures to introduce a pop of color to your space. Options are abound, so feel free to take a risk or two.

02 Bring Your Own Bar

Many kitchens come without built-in bars—meaning if you want the extra seating, you’ll have to create your own. Thankfully, there are tons of sleek kitchen islands to invest in that serve this purpose exactly.

Snag one that suits your space and paint it to match your cabinets, or leave it as is and take advantage of the aesthetic contrast it offers.

03 Make the Most of Exposed Shelving

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If your kitchen is lined with exposed shelves, remember that every item you place on those shelves will effectively double as décor. Use this built-in storage to set the mood in your space.

If you want your kitchen bar to really feel like a bar, line your shelves with martini glasses, pretty bottles of booze, or whatever else you want your bar to serve. Your stocked bar not only will look gorgeous, but is at the ready for your next cocktail party.

04 Play With Different Seating Arrangements

Most rectangular bars are lined with stools that span one side of the bar. This helps free up space in the kitchen and makes the room feel a little more defined. But, there’s no reason you have to put your stools there.

Depending on how your kitchen is laid out, it could make just as much sense to place three stools at the end of your bar facing each other. Find the best layout for your space and go with it.

05 Line Your Bar With Fun Tile

Kitchen bars are a great place to have a little fun. One popular move is to paint your bar a vibrant color, but you could take a slightly less expected approach and line it with bold tile instead. You could match the tile to your backsplash or pick a complementary set. Either way, you’re in for a statement-maker. 

06 Play With Different Layouts

Many kitchen bars are rectangular—but that doesn’t mean yours has to be. Take a look at the space you’re working with, and choose the layout that would suit it best. Maybe your kitchen would look great with a diagonal bar. If so, embrace it, and design the rest of your space with that choice in mind.

07 Take Advantage of Built-in Structures