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A DIY breakfast bar can be easily made with a few simple steps. First, choose a suitable location in your kitchen or dining area. Next, decide on the design and dimensions of the bar, considering the available space and your personal preferences. Then, gather the necessary materials such as wood, screws, and a countertop. Cut and assemble the wooden frame, ensuring its stability. Attach the countertop securely. Finally, add finishing touches such as paint or varnish to enhance the appearance and durability. With these steps, you can create your own stylish and functional breakfast bar at home.
If you find that you don’t have enough counter space during breakfast time, a breakfast bar might be the solution. By adding a few bar stools and some extra countertop, you can make a significant difference in your busy mornings. It can also serve as a great place to enjoy coffee with friends or help your kids with their homework. Creating a breakfast bar is a simple do-it-yourself home improvement project that doesn’t require much time or money. It allows you to make your kitchen more functional without the need for a complete kitchen makeover.
The IKEA Breakfast Bar Hack
If you have a very small kitchen or are new to DIY projects, this breakfast bar hack is perfect for you. The project starts with a store-bought shelf and flanged table legs, which eliminates the need for cutting and measuring. It also saves you from having to manually finish the top of the breakfast bar. With this project, you have the option to either mount the breakfast bar to a wall or leave it freestanding, making it ideal for renters who can’t drill holes wherever they want.
- Visit your favorite home decor store and purchase a floating wall shelf. If you plan on leaving your breakfast bar freestanding like a small dining table, you can also choose a shelf that attaches to the wall with two underside brackets.
- Purchase pre-made table legs in the color of your choice. Legs with a top flange are the easiest to use and can be screwed onto your breakfast bar without the need for additional brackets and hardware. The IKEA ADILS table leg, part number 537.43, is an excellent option.
- Flip your shelf upside down and screw in the legs where you want them to be, ensuring that your screws are not long enough to poke through the top of the shelf. If you’re attaching the breakfast bar to the wall, place two table legs near the front of the shelf. If you’re creating a freestanding bar, place a table leg at each of the four corners. The IKEA ADILS legs come with the necessary screws.
- Measure the height of your breakfast bar with the legs and install the shelf mounting bracket according to the instructions that came with the shelf. Each shelf is different, but the installation typically involves mounting the bracket at the correct height and ensuring that it is level. Secure the bracket to as many wall studs as possible. If some of the screws don’t hit studs, use heavy-duty drywall anchors, such as toggle bolts.
- Slide the shelf over the mounting bracket and adjust the table legs as needed. Since floors are not always level, most table legs offer some minor height adjustment.
An island can be transformed into a breakfast bar with a wide countertop.
Image Credit:
Stephen Paul
Off the Wall
If you have unused wall space in your kitchen, you can utilize it to build a peninsula. While the IKEA hack mounts the breakfast bar parallel to the wall, the peninsula approach mounts it perpendicular to the wall instead.
The first step in creating a new bar is to choose the type of top that you want. You can either match your existing countertop surface, choose a coordinating color, or use a wooden surface. Keep in mind that cutting natural stone and other surfaces can be difficult and may require professional help.
Once you have decided on the look of your breakfast bar, determine its length. Make sure you have enough space in your kitchen for the bar, taking into account the recommended 6 to 10 inches of space between bar stools for comfortable seating.
To prepare the top of your breakfast bar, cut it to the desired length and width. If you are using a wooden countertop, sand and apply polyurethane to the top and edges.
Measure the thickness of the breakfast bar top and mark your wall accordingly. Draw a pencil line on the wall for the top and bottom of the bar.
Mount a cleat to the wall, aligning it with the line for the bottom of the bar. A cleat is a 2×4 piece of wood mounted on the wall to support the breakfast bar. Make sure the cleat is level and securely attached to studs.
Flip the breakfast bar upside down and install the table legs beneath it. Place the legs on the end of the bar furthest from the wall. If the bar is long or heavy, consider installing additional legs for extra support in the middle. Ensure that the screws used to attach the legs are not too long to poke through the top of the bar.
Turn the breakfast bar right-side-up and set the end on top of the cleat. Attach it securely using screws or construction adhesive. Sand down any excess material on the end of the bar if the wall is not perfectly straight.
Adjust the feet on the table legs to level the breakfast bar on an uneven floor.
For additional storage, you can add a row of cabinets under the breakfast bar. Mount the bar to the cabinets instead of using table legs for support. Leave some overhang on the back of the cabinets for leg room when sitting at the bar.
To create a peninsula breakfast bar, simply extend your existing countertop to create a flush seating area. It looks best when using the same material as your kitchen counter.
Image Credit:
Stephen Paul
If you prefer, you can also use a butcher block countertop. However, if you choose a natural stone, cement, or other tough material that requires special cutting tools, you may need to hire a professional to cut and shape the edge of the breakfast bar for you.
Here are the steps to create your breakfast bar:
1. Cut your selected breakfast-bar top to the desired size and length. If you are using wood, make sure to sand and finish the top as needed.
2. Purchase a kitchen cabinet that matches your existing cabinets. Install the cabinet against the wall next to your counter so that it fits snugly with the cabinetry beneath your current countertop.
3. If needed, use 2x4s to build up the top of the cabinet so that your breakfast bar will be at the same level as your current countertop.
4. Flip your breakfast bar upside down on the floor and attach the table legs. Make sure to use screws that won’t pop up through the top of the bar. If you feel that the bar needs extra support, you can add additional legs.
5. Place the breakfast bar in position and secure it to the new cabinet. You can do this by using construction adhesive or by screwing the bar top in place from underneath, setting the screws at a 45-degree angle.
6. If necessary, apply a bead of clear caulk at the seam where your countertop and breakfast bar meet. This will help prevent dirt and bacteria from getting trapped between the two surfaces.
