37 Gorgeous Kitchen Islands With Breakfast Bars (Pictures)

This is our gallery of gorgeous kitchen islands with breakfast bars. A breakfast bar in the kitchen can be a great way to bring friends and family together and is great for eating a quick meal or entertaining. A true kitchen breakfast bar has a 12 to 16-inch counter overhang to offer room for legs while providing plenty of space for table settings and meals. Breakfast bars can be elevated or remain at the same height as the kitchen island. Below, you’ll find a variety of breakfast bar styles to help you get ideas and find the one that’s right for you.

In the picture above, the contemporary luxury kitchen showcases beautiful hanging crystal chandeliers that allow this breakfast bar island to shine and attract attention.  Adding a sink in the island provides more space for food preparation.  This furniture island is stylish for its classic custom-made design, as well as practical with more storage space design.  White subway backsplash tile and white classic style inset panel cabinets with dark counter and stainless steel appliances give this kitchen an added elegance.

The kitchen is not only a place to prepare food but is also a place where the family gathers, whether to enjoy a quick meal or to engage in casual conversation. Nowadays, entertaining guests also usually involves people congregating inside the kitchen. The multiple purposes that this room offers make it a significant part of the home, which requires attention in terms of planning and design.

A breakfast bar is an ideal solution to add functionality to your kitchen. It is the ultimate multitasking inclusion of any home.

What Is a Breakfast Bar Island

A breakfast bar is either a full kitchen island or a countertop overhang with a height that has enough room for the legs and a size that can accommodate ample room for meals.

A typical breakfast bar counter has a standard height of 42 inches (107 centimeters) and a depth/countertop overhang of 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 centimeters). The seating space for each person is normally 24 to 30 inches (60 to 70 centimeters).

The total length of your counter will determine the number of seats you can accommodate within the space. For example, if your counter is 120 inches long, then that means it can accommodate 4 bar stools (120 inches divided by 30 inches). See examples of custom kitchen islands here.

This Tuscan Italian-inspired kitchen features a rustic mix of natural textures. It features a raised breakfast bar island with a marble countertop. The cushioned wrought iron bar stools, natural stone flooring, glass-paneled picture windows, and pendant lights show great emphasis on traditional Tuscan design elements. Other standout elements include a wood plank ceiling with exposed beams, light tone stained solid wood cabinetry, matte finishes, and ceramic tile backsplash with custom-made design.

What are the benefits of a kitchen breakfast bar?

There are several advantages of having a breakfast bar. One of these is that it provides a casual dining space where you can grab a quick meal or even enjoy an informal dinner. It is a convenient addition, especially for homeowners who have a busy lifestyle, as it requires less time for workflow traffic within the home – prepare your food in the kitchen and sit on a stool to eat it in the same area. It also serves as an additional seating space to entertain guests.

Since the kitchen is naturally an area where people gather, the breakfast bar is also an ideal place to do homework with the kids, enjoy conversation, read a book, or even work on your laptop. It serves a great purpose, whether it may be for a personal or a family activity.

In some cases, the breakfast bar also serves as an extra countertop for meal preparation. If the space permits, it is furnished with a sink or a cooktop. Similar to kitchen islands, breakfast bars may be utilized for specialized tasks such as baking.

Aside from the function it offers, it can also contribute to the aesthetic value of homes as it can be designed in a lot of ways using a wide array of materials. When furnished with a stunning bar stool, this area can serve as a great focal point for kitchens.

Types of Kitchen Breakfast Bars

A breakfast bar may either be an overhang from the existing counter or a separate center island. In a traditional set-up, the center island is the most popular choice for a breakfast bar. If the counter space is large, it may either be designed as a full dining space or may be divided into a prep area with a sink or a cooktop. For smaller kitchens, a good space-saving technique for breakfast bars is to use a fold-down table mounted to a wall. This serves as a great benefit in maximizing a small home as there is no need to assign a separate dining area. A free-standing breakfast bar is also a cost-friendly solution for other layouts.

There is actually no limit to what a breakfast bar should look like. Just keep in mind that when designing it, consider the overall styling. The type of seating is also an integral part of the breakfast bar. Choose stools that are comfortable. Bar stools come in different colors, sizes, forms, styles, and materials; select one that is not only functional but is also cohesive with the look you are aiming to achieve.

To complement other design elements to rustic-inspired kitchens, choose one with wrought iron legs and a cushioned chair with a patterned fabric in warm earth tones. If you want to achieve a more classic look, chairs with luxurious fabric upholstery and wooden legs will work perfectly. If you are looking for that trendy modern vibe, opt for bar stools that have a sleek high gloss finish and metal legs.

Kitchen Counter Seating Ideas

This elegant space is designed using a white raised-panel cabinet with a white wave granite countertop, an under-mount sink with a modern tile backsplash, and stainless steel appliances.  The awesome island breakfast bar is great for entertaining guests or for kids to do their homework while Mom prepares home-cooked meals.  It has an open space underneath for more legroom and additional storage space.  Modern-style pendant lights and under-cabinet lights can help make food preparation a lot easier.

A mix of flat and raised-panel solid wood cabinets in a light stone shade, limestone floors, polished beige marble countertops, and a breakfast bar dining island present a familiar characteristic for sophisticated kitchens.  A white candlelight chandelier ties up the overall style of the decor.

Although spacious, a galley-style counter works efficiently, providing a generous hallway to the residence’s main entrance door.  Classic traditional white inset cabinet doors paired with glass front wall hanging cabinets give a more open feel.  Carrara marble top for the dining island with blue color cabinets for extra storage and offers an interesting focal point.  The gray oak flooring, which extends all the way to the front of the house, stainless steel appliances, and stone tile backsplash add a modern touch altogether.

Timeless crown molding, dark wood tone with a raised-panel cabinet is the epitome of a Tuscan cooking space.  A marble countertop, natural stone backsplash, solid wood ceiling beams, wood flooring, and hanging pendant light warm up this luxurious Tuscan-style cooking area.  The different heights of the breakfast bar counter allow the host to entertain and socialize while preparing meals.

This white Shaker-style cabinetry with a polished marble countertop is still a classic design for a food prep space.  Stainless steel appliances, accessories, industrial lighting, and metallic backsplash provide a modern twist.  The raised glass countertop for the breakfast bar is functional, durable, and stain-resistant. Copper rust slate flooring showcases a rich color palette, pattern, and texture.

Playing around with colors is fun. Cream-colored kitchen cabinets with a shaker-style design and matching window frames and ceiling beams lengthen this area. The dewy blue painted ceiling gives more height and is a perfect fit for the raised breakfast bar, high chairs, and chic vintage pendant lights.  Recessed ceiling spotlights and wall scones provide ample lighting for food preparation.  Blue-engineered quartz countertops work best for stain, scratch, and heat resistance, to name a few.  Sleek custom patterned ceramic tile is super easy to clean.

Elegantly beautiful, this dark-tone wood coffered ceiling blends well with the warmth and charm of the solid wood flooring.  White inset Shaker cabinets with white Carrara marble counter give this design a tasteful and modern palette.  The dark tone solid wood island counter with sink and oversized pendant lights provides more countertop space for dining food preparation and contrasts the white chromatic scheme.

This contemporary white color palette, matched with a white Corian solid surface countertop, gives this culinary space a sleek, modern style.  A classic Shaker design cabinetry and custom design wall hanging cabinets that extend up to the ceiling have a glass front for a light and open feel.  The breakfast bar provides a space for the beverage center to be tucked neatly away, adding more character to this island cabinetry.  Stainless steel appliances, high chairs, and pendant lighting fixtures enhance a modern style ambiance.

Mediterranean style design incorporates wrought iron doors with intricate design, rustic dark tone solid wood cabinetry with granite countertop, and mosaic tile backsplash, which reflects the charm of the region.  Soft cream hues for the ceiling, walls, and floors provide an elegant and dramatic contrast.  The curved counter of the island bar, spiral bar stool legs, and a traditional patterned carpet depict a prominent Mediterranean influence.

Stainless steel counter-to-ceiling backsplash, wall-mounted chimney-type range hood, sleek appliances, and countertop level up the gloss factor and industrial look of this contemporary space. Dark tone wood display cabinet shelves and custom floor-to-ceiling cabinets blend seamlessly with the wood base cabinetry of the breakfast bar island and the faux wood glazed porcelain tile flooring.

A contemporary, eclectic style shows a rustic accent brick wall with pass-through shelves for display and allows connection with the other areas of the house.  The white marble countertop, chimney-type wall-mounted hood, stainless steel appliances, metallic mosaic tile backsplash, industrial bar stool, flat-panel cabinetry with Zebrano veneer finish, delicate pendant lighting, and porcelain floor add a modern scheme to the design.  This island counter is very functional and provides added storage space.

This contemporary cooking space showcases a flat-panel floor-to-ceiling high-sheen dark cabinetry. There is a good source of general lighting from the ceiling and under cabinet lights.  Polished marble backsplash and countertop add texture.  A modern floating glass table over the breakfast bar island is a space saver.

This long breakfast bar island is a perfect stage to show off that new recipe.  The oak laminate flooring and matchstick tile backsplash give texture and contrast to the white quartz countertop and flat-panel dark-tone wood cabinetry.

A custom-made raised breakfast bar counter with a honed granite countertop adds a twist to the stainless steel cabinets and appliances.  Multi-color bar stool cushions provide a vibrant and lively contrast to the white ceramic tile flooring.

This contemporary culinary space design offers two dining areas, from the raised breakfast bar peninsula to the central island. The design showcases a high vaulted ceiling with solid wood beams that blend well with the solid wood flooring.  River white granite countertop and white cabinetry with white ceramic tile backsplash give this room a classic ambiance. A crystal chandelier adds elegance to the space.

A contemporary U-shape layout with white Shaker style cabinets, multi-color matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and dark polished granite countertop offers a high-end appeal.  The raised breakfast bar made use of a recycled countertop for added texture.

This Transitional style cooking area uses a neutral cream color across the flat-panel cabinets, raised breakfast bar island, and honey-colored engineered hardwood floor.  Absolute black granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, dining chairs, bar stools with simple lines, classic pendant lights, and minimal accessories provide a sophisticated feel to fit a modern lifestyle.

A trendy modern layout with a custom-shaped Bianco Romano granite breakfast bar island is perfect for casual entertaining of guests.  Contemporary cabinetry and stainless steel appliances flawlessly complement the design theme.

An open-plan layout showcases different work zones in order to maximize efficiency in this spacious area.  Each work zone has appliances and fixtures according to use, such as preparation, cooking, baking, serving, eating, cleaning, and even a coffee area.  The breakfast bar counter is set to the side of the room to better entertain and serve guests.

Kitchen Dining Ledge Ideas

A cozy and simple kitchen island with bench seating and a butcher block breakfast bar island. The raised butcher block bar is ideal for eat-in dining or for those who wish to help prepare food. The remainder of the island has a beige granite countertop with a built-in oven and stovetop and plenty of room for mixing ingredients, baking, and other kinds of food preparation.

The classic Shaker-style cabinet is painted in two color palettes – traditional white and distressed grey for the bar island.  The warm, medium-tone hardwood flooring, modern pendant lights, and beige wall give a French country feel to the design.  The stainless appliances, cushioned bar stool, and fully upholstered couch by the sitting area provide a perfect balance between country and contemporary scheme.

European-style flat-panel cabinetry in a veneered wood finish has a sleek, streamlined look. The raised granite island breakfast bar combines a stainless steel countertop with a double-bowl sink.  Stainless steel appliances, laminate flooring, granite countertop with low backsplash, and plain white painted walls show a typical minimalist style with great functionality.

This Tuscan-inspired food prep space is designed with crown molding and inset-framed white cabinetry combined with a dark-tone semi-circle island with a polished beige marble countertop.  Natural stone backsplash, copper range hood, arch doorways, beige painted walls, medium tone hardwood floors, iron candlelight chandelier, and dark hardwood dining bar stools bring together all elements of a Tuscan-style culinary space.

For this design, a luxury kitchen peninsula separates the cooking area from the breakfast bar island, creating an additional space for food preparation.  Polished granite countertop, Shaker style cabinetry in dark tone wood finish, travertine flooring, wide paneled glass window, pendant lighting, and stainless steel appliances make this area elegantly modern.

This sleek, modern food preparation space features red high-gloss finish cabinets with stainless steel appliances and high-pressured laminate flooring. The raised breakfast bar dining counter conceals a wine and drinks cooler and functions as a room divider, which separates the main area from the eating area, creating a perfect sitting area for entertaining guests.

This trendy modern design showcases a raised breakfast bar island with a glass countertop, laminated flooring, chrome finish bar stools, stainless steel appliances, white flat-panel thermofoil cabinetry, and gorgeous dual-color pendant lights.  The painted glass sheet backsplash is the main focal point of this luxurious space.

Center islands with breakfast bars come in many shapes, sizes, layouts, and styles. This modern eat-in counter offers a distinct design with ample legroom for guests. It features white high-gloss thermofoil flat-panel cabinets, simple and sleek veneer laminated open wall hanging cabinets, and a stainless steel countertop. The appliances, ceramic tile backsplash, and two-tone faux wood flooring showcase great visual interest and elegance in this modern culinary design.

This luxurious traditional dining and cooking space features floor-to-ceiling medium-tone raised-panel cabinets combined with almond gold polished granite countertops. The large kitchen island with seating has an undermount sink and an end breakfast bar dining area.  A cove ceiling with recessed spotlights and pendant lights adds drama and warmth to this space.  Natural stone flooring creates an elegant, classic touch.

This food preparation space has Mediterranean-inspired dark cabinets.  Earthly colors of the porcelain flooring, mosaic tile backsplash, polished granite countertop, raised-panel heavy, dark wood cabinetry with diamond carved design and crown moldings, which extends to the design of the range hood give the space a rustic warm feel.  The island with a mounted sink provides a spacious working area for food preparation.  The breakfast bar, which is made of heavy solid wood and has a primitive design, retains the elegance of the Old World.

A traditional room design with classic white raised-panel cabinets and crown molding blends well with the Aspen white granite countertop and travertine backsplash combined with subway white wall tiles. The breakfast bar island with distressed white raised-panel cabinetry and baluster support adds functionality to the design layout.  Two-tone patterned wooden flooring, candlelight chandelier, and stainless steel appliances provide accent and balance in the color scheme.

A traditional U-shaped layout with crisp white framed cabinets that extend up to the ceiling combined with a glass front stands out against the dark tone wood flooring and black granite countertop.  Modern stainless steel appliances, silver powder-coated stools, and neutral-colored mosaic backsplash complement the scheme.  The large island counter provides a gorgeous focal point.

This lovely Mediterranean-inspired design offers plenty of room for dining from its large double-sided breakfast bar peninsula. Big enough to accommodate up to six people comfortably, the breakfast bar has a light wood cabinet and a beautiful brown granite countertop. A center island provides an effective work triangle separate from the eating space.

Breakfast Counter with Sink

A hallmark of a Mediterranean-style design, crown moldings are incorporated as support for the raised breakfast island bar with natural stone backing.  The solid wood dark tone finish raised-panel decorative cabinet uses crown molding as a cornice.

This double island kitchen design has a second center island that has a distressed grayish-black finish with smaller crown molding supporting a jet-black polished granite countertop.  Mosaic tile backsplash and granite countertop in beach-like sandy tan color depict a Mediterranean seascape.  A medium-tone hardwood flooring adds more warmth to the room.

A comfortable and welcoming open-concept design is perfect for entertaining family and friends.  This is a cottage-style design with a raised, beadboard cabinetry island breakfast bar that offers a lot of space for food preparation and dining.  White framed inset panel cabinets, which extend to the ceiling, give this room a bright and clean feel.  A display cabinet in a medium tan color finish with a glass front provides a warm accent and balance to the design and color scheme.  Cool sea green matchstick and mosaic ceramic tile backsplash, glass pendant lights, and modern silver frame drop lights make this space look very high-end.

This transitional style space allows ease of movement between the kitchen and living room. A dining island with a polished marble countertop is designed for a more functional centerpiece – for food preparation, additional storage space, and a pub-style seating and dining space.  Porcelain flooring and glazed brick backsplash feature textural elements.  Glass bowl pendant lights, rustic sink faucets, and stainless steel appliances provide a touch of embellishment.

Pictured above is a traditional L-shape kitchen layout with the old-world charm and elegance of Mediterranean-inspired kitchens. The space features the Mediterranean theme through the use of dark-stained raised-panel cabinets.  The sandy beige-colored porcelain flooring mixed with the whitewashed natural stone backsplash compliments a bright and welcoming feel.

The polished granite countertop, the sleek look of stainless steel appliances, and the antique white color of the leather upholstery of the dining chairs give this Mediterranean-style cooking and dining area a light, modern feel.  The large dining island with a white framed inset cabinet and wrought iron chandelier ties up every design element.