Are bar-height kitchen islands out?

13 years ago

My previous house (built in the mid 1990s) had an island, with my kitchen sink/dishwasher on one side and bar on the other. We are remodeling the kitchen in our current house, and I am wondering: Is the bar-height island out of style now? I keep seeing islands with counter-height stools. I like the bar height because it hides mess and clutter from the family room side of the island when you have an open floor plan. If your cook-top is in the island it also offers more protection from splatters for the people gathered around the island. But I also don't want to do something that will be outdated. Would love to hear from designers/remodelers out there!

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Comments (4)

PRO
Norm Walters Construction Inc.
13 years ago
It is still popular where I am.
Michael Reagan
13 years ago
I'm curious about this too – we're debating whether to incorporate a raised bar in our new kitchen island or make it all counter height. Right now we're thinking we'll go with all counter height, but we're still torn! (We feel that a raised bar will help "hide" our kitchen since it is very visible from the front entry.)
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PRO
Riddle Construction & Design
13 years ago
I try if at all possible to not have any cooking surface on the island. I prefer to have them against a wall where you can use a standard exhaust hood that actually works, plus provides a focal point, plus is much safer where children are concerned. Typically I am doing most islands at one level these days as it offers the most versatility for the space. see two examples below of one island with no cooking and the white kitchen with a raised eating bar and downdraft.
roku
13 years ago
I agree that one level is more useful. I have a breakfast room adjacent so we will use that for meals. I envision that the counter or bar seating will be used mostly at parties so it seems a shame to lose the functionality on a daily basis for the more occasional use of the island seating.