Eating Bar or Eating Counter: Which is Better?

Posted on: September 30th, 2011 | 1 Comment



The answer to this question really comes down to personal preference and detailing. The height of a standard kitchen eating bar is 42 inches off the ground. The eating bar width needs to be a minimum of 14 inches, otherwise it is not very functional to use for eating, reading the paper, having coffee etc. You would choose this configuration if you wanted to maintain some degree of visual separation between your kitchen and the rest of the house.


With an eating counter, you will be sitting at the same height as your kitchen counter top, which is 36 inches off the ground. This will give you the look of a visually larger kitchen as the counter top would be at least three feet wide where the seating is located – assuming a two foot cabinet depth and a one foot overhand to accommodate the stools. It also provides a more multi-functional counter surface for eating, entertaining, doing homework etc.


Overall, we prefer the eating counter design. What do you think?


Today’s Slides:

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000371079705 Ann-Marie Nepper Meyers

    Definitely counter in my house. I live in a 1960′s home, and it is very typical of that period. I am planning on adding one right under  my kitchen window to conserve space and get rid of the table that no one ever eats at. We either eat standing up, or in the dining room right next to the kitchen.