I need ideas for a kitchen bar.

Judy
by Judy
I live in an apt., management has made a a window thru an existing wall dividing kitchen and living room. I would like to make a bar that would slip over that sill to give me seating and work space. Any ideas?
View from living room.
View from kitchen.
  14 answers
  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jun 23, 2015
    Possibly a two legged table that is tall enough to rest on the existing edge of the opening.
  • Annie Annie on Jun 23, 2015
    you can use a piece of cabinet grade plywood stained like the existing wood, wide enough to hang over both sides and use metal shelf brackets on either side screwed into the under wall. If you can't see my vision let me know and I'll try to explain better
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Jun 24, 2015
    Like Annie's idea.
  • MBLori MBLori on Jun 24, 2015
    You could just attach wooden brackets to the underside of the shelf (you would need them on both sides of the wall) and slide it down over the existing pony wall. That way you are not drilling into their walls and the brackets will keep it from tipping.
    • Mehartgallery Mehartgallery on Jun 24, 2015
      @MBLori Excellent idea!!!! And if not shelf brackets... boards as the side supports! Slide it on, slide it off...totally removable at any time... you are brilliant MBLori!!
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Jun 24, 2015
    Buy a kitchen table,place it on top of shelf,purchase legs at Home Depot and add to bottom of existing legs to make it bar height.you now have a bar on both sides that can be shifted in either side to accommodate your different needs.only work required is to drill a hole into the bottom of each table legs to extend the legs.Plus, when you move,all you will need to do is lift it off the shelf and go!Kitchen tables are super cheap at garage sales or goodwill.I would make sure that the table is not longer than the counter so you would not have to cut it.Send us some pictures!!!Or another cool idea is to use books glued together added to the bottom of the legs to extend the legs.I would drill a hole in the center of each book,glue them together,then insert a metal rod with a rubber washer(to protect your floors),that you would then feed through your "set" of books then into the existing table legs.If you want to go really crazy,add wheels to the bottom of the books instead so you can move it and adjust it as needed.Lots of options!!, if you don't like books,tennis balls would work also!Sorry I'm so crazy!!
  • Kathy Kathy on Jun 24, 2015
    Try using ikea Kallex bookcases and raising them up with feet to the desired height. Then time off with a reclaimed door or shelving from a box store. That way you can take it with you when you move . The height could be a drop down from the counter you presently have or the same height.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Jun 24, 2015
    Another idea,similar to Kathy,use an old door,you may need to cut it shorter to fit into your space,then add legs.I really like her idea of using book shelves on each side to support it,plus it's great for storage.If you use the door idea on one side,you should secure the door to the wall with L brackets so it doesn't shift around
  • Tegma Tegma on Jun 24, 2015
    There's a good chance you won't even need supports, if the existing shelf is wide enough. Just go to Lowes and buy a 15" W shelf (or there about). long enough that you have to notch out the two ends. Slide that down over the exiting shelf with a tight fit and you should be good to go. You don't want too wide of a shelf at that location, so I wouldn't go any wider than 15" or so. It's a simple job, even if you have to use brackets, but, you'd better check with your landlord to see if even that is allowed. Using books shelves under it, won't give you the leg room you'll want if you want to sit at it. If not, the books shelf idea is great as it will give you more storage.
    • Judy Judy on Jun 25, 2015
      I was thinking a chunkie look, strong enough to hold my sewing machine. Right idea Patricia...sliding it over existing ledge. I'm sure I will have to use something to brace kitchen side. Thanks for your input.
  • Kelly Kelly on Jun 24, 2015
    Here are a couple ideas to gather inspiration from. Good luck.
    • Judy Judy on Jun 25, 2015
      That is such an awesome idea, however that opening is 7 ft.long. Thanks!
  • Connie Connie on Jun 24, 2015
    You can use a bookcase on the kitchen side.You can use a salvaged counter board for bar part. Add some pizzazz with some tile. You can also frame it out and add a wine glass shelf at the top. Happy designing.
    • Judy Judy on Jun 25, 2015
      I love the idea of bookcases...somewhere to put all my dang cookbooks. Thanks
  • Pat Keadle Gougler Pat Keadle Gougler on Jun 25, 2015
    If you just need a bar and not cabinets under--find and old wooden ironing board for the bar top and a couple of brackets for support. Interesting shape and very inexpensive. you can re-stain the board or paint.
    • Judy Judy on Jun 25, 2015
      Never thought of a door...great idea. Maybe use Connie s idea for bookcases to stabilize kitchen side. Thanks!
  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jun 25, 2015
    I like the bookcase and old door idea. To keep the whole bar from sliding off the window ledge, screw L-brackets on the underside of the door that butt up to both sides of the window opening.
  • BILL BILL on Sep 18, 2016
    Want something that won't fail when you put your sewing machine atop? Use the bookshelf idea to the floor on the kitchen side and then put the top shelf (attached to the bookcase) then add a 1x4xas long as the shelf to the underside of the shelf forming a U with the half wall in the center of the U. This design will afford stability for sewing as well as eating or serving.
  • Jma6450207 Jma6450207 on Oct 08, 2016
    Love it, not crafty but I would bookcase u deer in front room side and eating bar on kitchen side for more counter and eating. Not sure how but wide planking to extend out both sides screwed down then cover inexpensively with stuck down tiles or counter top