A kitchen island with a bar function - the perfect solution for those who enjoy social entertainment

A modern kitchen with an island is an extremely practical design solution that has gained a wide audience. It serves several functions simultaneously and looks great. A kitchen island or peninsula can be used in an open-plan living area or in a separate kitchen. It can come in various sizes and shapes, and its layout should be tailored to the individual needs of its users.

Kitchen island with a bar function - a combination of style and sociability

Designing a kitchen with an island requires careful consideration. First, you need to decide what function it will serve. It can be an additional storage space for kitchen accessories, a display of valuable tableware behind glass fronts, a place for eating, cooking, and so on. In many cases, it provides comfort during social gatherings. A kitchen island with a bar is perfect for this. You can arrange it in many ways, adapting individual elements to the specific needs of the interior.

The island as the center of home life - cooking, conversations, meetings

A lot happens around the island. This is where we prepare meals, sip our morning coffee, unpack groceries, and perform countless other daily tasks. An island can house a sink or a hob. A generous worktop facilitates cooking. It's indispensable for tasks like making dumplings, rolling dough, decorating desserts, slicing, and more. An interesting option is an island with a two-tiered countertop. The countertop above the standard worktop can be used for preparing and serving drinks to guests. It's common for a home party to spill over from the couch or dining room into the kitchen. The island then plays a key role: it fosters relaxed conversations over favorite beverages and ensures uninterrupted contact with the hosts.

Advantages of an island with a bar in a modern apartment

A kitchen island with a bar function has many advantages. One of its advantages is the additional work surface, of which you can never have too much. Beneath the large countertop are cabinets, shelves, drawers, cubbies, or display cabinets for storage. You can even incorporate a small refrigerator for drinks.

An elegant island is an interesting and, above all, functional design element in a kitchen open to the living room. It can serve as a symbolic boundary between the kitchenette and the living area. A dining nook is often set up around it, making serving meals easier and faster.

Stylish kitchen furniture with an island creates a seamless whole. The timeless ADELINE collection has everything you need: a wide selection of modules to choose from, neutral colors that complement a variety of interiors, and a soft-close system. It works well in both classic and modern homes. White fronts visually expand the space, and fashionable handles that complement a specific style add character to the interior. This line includes wall-mounted and base cabinets, with drawers, as well as corner units and glass-fronted display cabinets. ADELINE furniture is so versatile that you can easily match it to a ready-made island with a bar or assemble your own using components from the collection available on our website. You can create an ergonomic single-row or double-row kitchen, in an L- or U-shaped layout.

How to Design an Island Bar? Key Elements

You can easily set up a mini bar on an island. Simply purchase the right furniture and accessories, such as a wine rack, decorative glass holder, and stylish stools. There's room for various types of beverages and accessories for making drinks, crushing ice, and more. A set of glasses and stemware displayed on glass shelves will look incredibly elegant. These can be further illuminated with energy-saving LEDs.

A practical solution is to combine a home bar with a coffee corner. You can place a coffee machine in the bartending area. This way, the island becomes the center of family and social life, and provides you with the convenience of preparing snacks and drinks.

If you appreciate classic style, choose white kitchen furniture from the STILL collection with subtly milled fronts. The entire unit is made of solid laminated furniture board, and individual cabinets feature a soft-close system and black metal handles. You'll find base and wall units, including corner units, units with drawers, units for built-in appliances, and elegant units. display cabinets with a glass front. You can easily fit this set into the design of your kitchen with an island.

Materials and finishes - aesthetics matter

A kitchen island in the living room should complement the overall design of the living area. It's undeniable that it's a central element of the design, often separating the kitchenette from the rest of the apartment. It's easily visible even from the couch, so it's worth ensuring it also serves an aesthetic purpose. You can opt for a subdued island with white fronts and a wood-tone countertop. Dark furniture, black or graphite cabinets, and granite countertops work well in loft-style designs. A cashmere kitchen, on the other hand, will complement a modern, glamorous design, perfectly complementing gold accents in the form of kitchen fixtures and small gold accessories.

Before purchasing a set, carefully check the material it's made of. The most popular collections are those made from MDF and laminated board. The countertops should be resistant to moisture, stains, and damage, and the handles on the fronts should ensure easy opening of the cabinets. At Furnitop.co.uk, you'll find lines with matte or high-gloss finishes. The former will suit most modern interiors.

Style meets function - an island in various arrangements

Designs inspired by nature are currently very popular. Scandinavian, eco, and boho interiors are exceptionally cozy. Your kitchen will be just as inviting if you choose one of these styles. What furniture should you choose? Above all, choose those that evoke earthy tones and highlight the natural materials. Grays, beiges, browns, and muted greens are perfect, as are universal whites and blacks for contrast.

One of our store's offerings is the ELLEN collection. Handleless fronts in artisan oak are paired with a light gray body. The overall effect is a warm, homely atmosphere. A wide selection of modules makes it easy to assemble a set perfectly suited to the size of your kitchen. They can be used to design a functional island equipped with a range of amenities: drawers, storage compartments, narrow CARGO cabinets (ideal for storing bottles), as well as open shelves and corner modules. Match a countertop in a wood or stone shade, and a stylish kitchen with an eco-friendly touch is ready. In fact, it aligns with various interior design trends, where elegant design is key.

How to properly illuminate a kitchen island?

The most popular solution is a low-hanging ceiling lamp, which perfectly illuminates the worktop. Ideally, it should have more than one light point, although its size should be adapted to the dimensions of the island itself. You can also use modern, adjustable spotlights or energy-efficient LED lighting. Strong, yet pleasing to the eye, light in a neutral tone will be invaluable for precise work, such as decorating cakes and desserts.

Moreover, it's worth complementing an island with a bar with backlighting for the shelves or the contents of a glass-fronted display case. An LED strip can run along the entire island, creating an interesting visual effect.

To gain unimpeded access to daylight, you can design a kitchen peninsula integrated with the window sill. Sunlight will stream through the window, ensuring optimal conditions for using this part of the kitchen.

When is it worth investing in an island bar? Practical tips

A bar in the kitchen is a perfect solution when:

• you often invite guests to house parties
• you like to prepare fancy drinks for family and friends
• you need more space to store bartending accessories, as well as dishes, glasses, tumblers and other small items
• you have a kitchen open to the living room, and the island serves as a dining area
• you value modern interior design, and a stylish island with a bar suits your individual preferences.

Open-plan apartment with a kitchen connected to the living room

An open-plan kitchen island is a proven recipe for a functional living area. With its help You'll efficiently zone your apartment. You'll separate the kitchen from the living area, increasing the interior's functionality. Minimizing the number of walls will ensure optimal access to daylight, and the entire space will appear larger than it actually is.

Importantly, a low island or peninsula won't overwhelm the overall design, making it suitable for a small studio apartment. You can arrange it alongside a single-row kitchen unit, for example, near a window. A generous countertop can serve as both a bar and a dining table. Simply choose the right bar stools for the island, paying attention to the height of the bar stools (they should be slightly higher than standard dining room models).

Inspirations from the Mebline offer - stylish furniture and accessories for the bar area

A guest kitchen is one that takes into account not only the needs of the household but also the needs of friends and family spending time in the comfort of your home. Furniture and various amenities that enhance the comfort of using the kitchen space play a key role here. This includes not only spacious cabinets but also a larger countertop that serves as a minibar. You can efficiently prepare your favorite drinks there while enjoying the company of your guests.

In our furniture store, you'll find a diverse selection of kitchen furniture, bar stools, and barstools at competitive prices. Among the highlights is the modern EKKO collection, which includes striking glass-fronted cabinets, corner units, kitchen columns, cabinets, and fronts for built-in appliances. White complements most interiors perfectly. We also recommend high-quality countertops in wood, marble, and many other shades. We offer elegant furnishings for kitchens, bars, and lounge areas, including sofas, tables, and coffee tables with storage.

Kitchen island - inspirations and arrangements

Designing a small kitchen in a studio apartment? It's easy with clever design solutions. We have compact kitchen sets for every budget. Take the TONIC collection, available in several color options, as an example. Each set includes a kitchen column, a CARGO cabinet, a drawer unit for an oven, dishwasher, sink, and hob. The price includes bases, countertops, and handles. This design includes built-in refrigerators and leaves room for a cooker hood. The simple design makes it easy to match your dream island or peninsula to TONIC furniture. You can purchase a ready-made kitchen bar or create your own. A mobile island on wheels or a foldable model (for example, mounted to a wall or windowsill) will also work well in limited spaces.

Find more ideas for arranging a kitchen with an island and bar at Furnitop.co.uk!