Bar-Height Dining in the Kitchen

There are lots of bar-height dining sets out there. And every one we've ever seen leaves much to be desired. But there is a lot to be said for having a bar-height table in the kitchen (especially when space is tight):

A bar-height table can be used for prep space from day-to-day. But when you have a few folks over for dinner, pull up the stools and use it for sitting down to dine. This could even replace a dining table in small apartments.

If you're into this idea, but not into the bar-height sets available on the market, there are other options. Consider a simple stainless steel counter or butcher block top on a bar-height base with separately-purchased stools. It'll look much more stylish than a matching set and will work well as both kitchen prep surface and dining table.

What do you think? Would you go for this in a small space where everything needs at least a dual purpose?

(Image: Ikea Fans)

Comments (4)

We have a bar-height table in the kitchen, although it's rarely used for family dining at this point (one of my kids is a bit young for the tall, backless chairs). It's extremely useful as an overflow space for kitchen prep, especially during heavy baking sessions - there is only so much space for cooling racks!

It's also a great place to put my laptop (which often acts as my cookbook) away from heat and water as I cook.

The counter height of the table also gives a nice visual consistency across my small kitchen.

Yep, your suggestions are exactly what we do. Our apartment is quite small, so our dining room is a little bar-height table in a corner of the kitchen. When not in use, the stools fit completely under it, saving floor space. It's also a comfortable height for chopping, a safe place to stick my laptop / cookbook, and perfect for cooling baked goods or letting dough rise away from the oven and busier countertops.

We also chose a counter-height table for our smaller kitchen. I use it as extra counter space whenever I cook. It also really spreads out the "counter space" so more than one person can work on something.

We have the chairs that came with the set, but I don't like using stools for regular eating. We'll probably sell the set when we buy a home, but it's perfect for right now.

We have a small square bar height IKEA table in the kitchen, but there's just barely room for two chairs. I mostly use it as a desk, but it has been nice for cozy breakfasts and drinks with a friend.

I initially wanted a kitchen table because it's warmest in there in the winter ;)