skip to main content
Software
Integrations
Mobile App
Expert Support
All-In-One Platform for Construction and Design
See Pricing
Schedule a Demo
Talk to Sales: (888) 316-4595
My builder uses Houzz Pro to plan the timeline and give detailed estimates and daily updates with photos of progress, and provide invoices at pre-agreed key points in the build. This made the whole experience much more efficient and stress-free.
Steve W.
Client of Cribbs Construction
Learn More
Ideas
Discussions
Houzz TV
Houzz Research
Sign In
Houzz Logo Print
Explore DiscussionsFeatured Home DiscussionsFeatured Garden Discussions
Polls
zuitzy

Bar Counter Height...Is It Old Fashioned?!?

14 years ago
We are still in the middle of our kitchen remodel, with our "temporary" furniture-grade plywood countertops and we are having a hard time making decision number 6,492, which happens to involve the design of the bar for our peninsula. We are trying to decide if we want to have a raised bar, with taller stools, or if the bar should be the same level as the countertop, with shorter stools.

Many of the images that inspire me do not have a raised bar, but I really like hiding a direct view of the sink (which is located on the same workstation as the bar) from my guests. I tried to pick sample photos which have materials similar to our very eclectic mix of contemporary ebony cabinets, industrial hardware and scraped wood floors.

Am I being old fashioned? What do you think?
Should the bar be HIGHER than counter level?
Should the bar be the SAME LEVEL as the counter top?
Featured Answer
  • 14 years ago
    (I posted this response earlier today, but the entire string disappeared from the houzz.com website for a while. Now that it's been partially restored, I'm super disappointed that some of your comments that were really helpful are now missing. At least I still have the copies that I received in my email. If I'm able I'll share the missing posts with the rest of you because they were all great. I'll apologize in advance if any of you receive my ramblings twice!)

    * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

    Wow...thank you all for your thoughtful comments! AND thank you for reassuring me that this choice is about personal preference and not just design.

    You've really helped me to focus on some important questions:
    1. Do we entertain? Absolutely!
    2. Entertaining style? Casual appies, cocktails and buffet service.
    3. Need more expansive work area? Not so much with a modest island in kitchen center.
    4. Small children eating at bar; risk of fall from barstool? Rarely.
    5. Adults drinking at bar; risk of fall from barstool? Frequently.
    6. Eating/studying at bar? Probably not...teenage fan of "Wayne's World" insisted that we have "kitchen nook".
    7. Are we prepared to pay for the finishing on all the extra countertop edging? Excellent point... not a factor with our temporary plywood countertops!
    8. Do we need extra outlets? Who doesn't need extra outlets?!?

    So...believe it or not, your suggestions have brought me much closer to a decision. We'll see which way my other half leans! We'll post pics when it's finally complete.

    You guys are awesome!

    Comments (26)

    • 14 years ago
      I go back and forth with this one, as I think it depends a bit on the kitchen it's in. For me, I know I like having large flat expanses of counter to look at, but at the same time, I like the idea of hiding the dishes out of view from another portion of the room.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I prefer counter height for most kitchens.

    • Related Professionals

      Joplin Design-Build Firms · Hartford Design-Build Firms · Waterloo Design-Build Firms · Clearlake Design-Build Firms · Daytona Beach General Contractors · Mount Vernon General Contractors · Tulsa General Contractors · New London General Contractors · Waterloo General Contractors · Monroe General Contractors · Hilton Head Island Flooring Contractors · Abilene Flooring Contractors · Greenfield Flooring Contractors · Altoona Flooring Contractors · Milwaukee Flooring Contractors
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      Based on your thoughts and the photos you included, I'd go with the counter height and lower stools - I use them often and don't think it's old-fashioned, it's more of what your particular situation calls for. Good luck!
    • 14 years ago
      I think it will depend on what is more important to you. I am in the middle of kitchen remodel and am making the switch to same level countertops. I lived with the raised ones that hid the sink for 16 years. While it was great "hiding" those unsightly dishes in the sink, I am really looking forward to having a great area for putting out lots of food when company is over. I couldn't do that with the higher counter; I found it more restrictive. Good luck with your remodel, I am sure it will be great no matter what you decide.
    • 14 years ago
      I went around and around about the same idea, liked the expanse of counter top, but not the view of the sink, or the higher stools. Finally decided to get a great looking slim planter box, maybe metal and put in something interesting...maybe the artificial grass that is still popular, maybe a real garden of herbs. It can be moved when island is being used for entertaining, or it can stay, as long as it is slim.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      I always find counter height more functional. It works better for baking, kids doing crafts or homework and family style eating. Good luck with your renovation!
    • 14 years ago
      I've just put in two counter height islands - one has backless stools, other had upholstered stools with backs and arms - everybody seems to hang out at these when we have company. Having islands and counters same height makes for clean sharp look
    • 14 years ago
      You know you want to hide the sink mess, right? So go with your gut and do the two level counter.
    • 14 years ago
      We just went through the same thing. In the end we went with counter height... expands space, helps the spaces connect better, better for kids.
      To solve the dishes problem we just got a deeper sink to hide more. Also it encourages clean up ;)
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      last modified: 14 years ago
      I noticed you said peninsula, not island.
      For me, islands work best at the same level, they act like a great big table for the gang to gather around when having a party, but peninsulas are a 50-50!!
      I also noticed you mentioned "bar" for guests....are you big entertainers?
      Having a raised counter can be a great spot to perch the hors d'oeuvres, while keeping guests out of the kitchen, but then again, having a cool sink on the peninsula at counter height can be a great thing to fill with ice and chilled wines!
      HOW you plan to use the kitchen may help you determine what works best for you. Will you want to perch there with a coffee and a laptop? Then one level will give you more spread out space.
      Do you have a table close by, so that is where you would relax in the kitchen? Then a raised counter would work just fine.
      There is truly not one best solution, it is all incredibly personal, and depends a great deal on what works best for you MOST OFTEN.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      How weird is that, half the posts are gone, and several were really awesome!! Glad you were able to "save" them!
      Let us know the outcome, you have been a fun person to help!
    • 14 years ago
      No kidding WGP and thanks, your comments were so on point! The whole post and response string and sample photos disappeared until this evening when it was partially restored. I've asked Houzz to look into it because I feel badly that so many great folks took the time to help and got deleted...ACK. Sorry guys!!
      I love this site and really enjoy the conversations!
    • 14 years ago
      last modified: 14 years ago
      I have had both, and I would definitely go with counter-level - it's much better for entertaining, and will open up your kitchen. You can always accessorize your island with a long planter, or something else when you want to hide the sink, but you'll have a lot more flexibility.
      (PS Counter height is not old-fashioned at all by the way - on the contrary, they are very current. In my last neighborhood, everyone who had the raised bar were tearing them out and replacing them with counter-height).
    • 14 years ago
      I guess that my comments were part of what was lost. Briefly, if you plan to use the counter for buffet service, I am short enough (5'4") that I find it hard to serve myself from that height, especially if the food is in a deep dish. Getting the food has to happen at nose level. Hence, depending on how tall your family and friends are and if there are grannies or children, the two-level might pose problems.
    • 14 years ago
      Good point Yvonne...thanks for taking the time to repost your comments!
    • 14 years ago
      Hi Everyone, We had a glitch yesterday and lost a few responses to this discussion. Sorry about that! If you would like to repost if yours is missing, that would be fantastic. Again...really sorry.
    • 14 years ago
      personally i like the idea of the 2 levels...but i am one of those people that like to "serve" people and not make them feel like they have to help me while entertainling. If they see me washing a glass or dish or something they may want to run around and help. That's just me though. I worked in restaurants for many years, so it may be a leftover response from that! haha!
    • 14 years ago
      My two cents - I feel like the one level makes it look more streamlined - and my partner and I do the type of entertaining that usually encourages folks to join in the cooking/drinkmaking/wine uncorking, etc. In other words, we're not so concerned about the separation of host/guest. I also assume that an extra deep sink will take care of hiding dirty dishes - but I'm 5' 11" so reaching into a 10" deep sink isn't a big deal for me. I have heard some shorter folks mention that it's harder to get down into a deeper sink.
    • 14 years ago
      I voted for the same height countertop on the bar. The space is more useable, at least I think so. ;) As far as dirty dishes in the sink, if it's family, is shouldn't matter too much, and if it's guests, you probably make sure the sink is empty and clean before they come in the door, anyway. And who is going to care that over the course of the evening that the dirty dishes end up in the sink when it was obviously clean when they came in.
    • PRO
      14 years ago
      We do both in our more contemporary remodels. It really depends on your personal preference & living habits. ie. If you would like to have the kids sit at the counter and do homework while you're cooking, then perhaps a higher level bar top would be better, to prevent any spilling or splashing from hitting their books. It also is nice to hide any messes you may be saving for cleanup later on. The flush counter is nice if you have limited working counter space elsewhere in the kitchen, and also for serving (large platter dishes, etc.) I think either approach serves well for a contemporary look with the right finishes & clean lines.
    • PRO
      13 years ago
      I think these bar stools would look great, and unique in this kitchen. The joinery detail is very nice., and using American Hardwoods always works ;)
    • PRO
      10 years ago

      why not think about a third option, the bar dropped to dining table height, it could wrap around the normal height work area? It would give more options with seating, you could use normal dining chairs, which are more comfortable than bar stools. it would also mean that you could have extra power outlets in the front of the raised part so you can use the breakfast bar to use laptops or pads while charging, it gives a nice separation from dining to food preparation.

    • 10 years ago

      I think either or is fine but I prefer it higher. I have one that is level which makes it nice too when I am baking with my daughter as she sits across from me.

    • 10 years ago
      I have the two level and I love it. Actually never thought about the 'hiding the dishes' aspect. I like having guests or my daughters sitting at the counter out of my way but still able to hang out.
    • 10 years ago
      We just built our home & chose a counter level island. It's perfect for entertaining - serving food and drinks, love the big expansive space! Also great for baking, making homemade pizza's, eating at the counter, etc. I thought about the dishes being exposed as well. Our main sink (really large and deep) is not in the island, but in a perimeter counter, so we stack dishes there - in sink &/or next to it, and tell our family/guests that we will tend to them later, it's most important to visit with them. The island countertop stays looking clean. We do have a prep sink in the island for washing hands, or if main sink being used. I love our open floor plan and kitchen. We recently decided to get rid of our new counter stools with backs and go for backless (or lower backs) counter stools for a cleaner look. All we'll see then is the large pretty countertop and the kitchen backsplash and pretty cabinets. So excited! Good luck, go with your gut, for what's right for you.
    Related Stories
    DECORATING GUIDESEasy Reference: Standard Heights for 10 Household Details
    By Charmean Neithart Interiors
    How high are typical counters, tables, shelves, lights and more? Find out at a glance here
    Full Story
    86
    KITCHEN DESIGN20 Favorite Modern Bar and Counter Stools
    By Becky Harris
    Settle in at the bar in style with these tall, sleek and sculptural kitchen stools
    Full Story
    16
    HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Fun and Fashionable in Manhattan
    By Chris Dorsey Architects, Inc
    Lively color and eclectic artwork energize a young fashion professional's apartment in a hip city neighborhood
    Full Story
    10
    HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Art and Fashion Inspire in a Maryland Family Home
    By Michaela Dodd
    White walls provide a clean backdrop for a downtown home infused with art, pattern and fashion
    Full Story
    38
    PRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: 20 Easy-to-Add Kitchen Counter Spaces
    By Suzy Cacic
    Get more kitchen prep and storage space with islands, bar carts and sideboards — or even a folding cart for a tiny kitchen
    Full Story
    7
    BASEMENTSBasement of the Week: Rustic Sophistication in the Blue Ridge Mountains
    By Becky Harris
    Good, old-fashioned fun reigns here, with a theater-style snack bar, a playroom and lots of room for just kicking back
    Full Story
    39
    BATHROOM MAKEOVERS21st-Century Amenities for an Old-Time Show House Bath
    By Lawrence Karol
    Updated but appropriate features help an old-fashioned bath in the 2014 DC Design House align with modern tastes
    Full Story
    60
    BATHROOM DESIGNThe Right Height for Your Bathroom Sinks, Mirrors and More
    By Toronto Interior Design Group
    Upgrading your bathroom? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalized fit
    Full Story
    123
    HOUZZ TVHouzz TV: See a Funky Beach Home Made From Old Streetcars
    By Mitchell Parker
    A bold color palette zaps life into a Santa Cruz, California, home built out of two streetcars from the early 1920s
    Full Story
    129
    MODERN STYLE12 Stylish Kitchen Counters That Seem to Float in Space
    By Natasha Saroca
    Take your culinary zone to new heights with a cantilevered countertop that’s visually appealing and practical
    Full Story
    56
    Sponsored
    Haus Studio
    Average rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars28 Reviews
    Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio
    More Discussions
    Cristallo quarzite fails key scratch test
    64
    help with powder backsplash on wallpaper
    12
    Window treatments
    8
    wall waterproofing solution
    5
    Ideas for an angled half-wall between kitchen and living room
    4