Whether you’re looking to create extra space in your home or simply want an open area from the kitchen to the dining or living area, you may be interested in exploring options for a kitchenette design.
Open kitchens with breakfast bars can be great spaces when it comes to functionality, storage and efficiency, but also when it comes to gathering or entertaining family and friends.
American kitchen design
One of the first things to consider for your design is how many walls you want to keep standing. If any of the walls carries important beams that maintain the structure of the house, water pipes or electrical cables, you should probably keep them, unless you are willing to make a major reform.
But if this is not the case, you are relatively free to break down any internal walls. Single wall kitchenettes are very common, creating the most open feel among all other designs. But keep in mind that you can also design it in L or U.
Fewer walls means less storage. A good solution is to implement extra storage on the kitchen counter or island. These bars can also offer other important uses, from a surface to prepare food, to a table with benches to eat.
Some islands may also have sinks, to help you maintain the classic work triangle between sink, refrigerator and cooktop. They may also offer a set of pull-out drawers, shelves, appliances, or a pull-out wastebasket.
The bar does not have to be straight. You can consider one with curved shapes.
Lighting is very important in American kitchen designs. Finding the right balance between light range, style, and functionality can be a challenge. It’s best to focus on the three basic types of lighting: primary, accent, and task. If you follow these concepts, you should have no problem lighting this space correctly.
For main lighting, a large chandelier or pendant can illuminate the entire kitchen and even part of the dining room or living room. Task lighting should focus on the sink, cooking and food preparation areas. And finally, decorative lighting can be located in the upper and lower parts of the cabinets.
Bar-style stools or chairs can be a great complement to the bar, which in addition to adding functionality, contribute a lot to the decoration.
Modern american kitchen
The modern style offers us many materials, colors and designs to choose from. We will show you some examples below.
High gloss gray furniture works perfectly in this modern monochrome scheme. When it comes to style, stainless steel appliances, fully integrated into the cabinet doors, have a professional look that graces the kitchen. Try to keep countertops clean and hide clutter with smart storage solutions.
Loft apartments are ideal candidates for this type of kitchen, with their exposed brick walls or large windows. The color of stainless steel can be softened with muted colors and touches of wood.
An eat-in kitchen is a very practical solution, allowing you to interact with your guests, without being locked in a small and cluttered kitchen. Super-sleek cabinets can hide most work items, providing a smart, uncluttered backdrop to a sleek, modern dining room.
Is your kitchen big enough to install a bar with seating? This will add countertop and storage space, but can also provide an eating area.
Whether you choose a pre-designed portable bar or build an island to fit your kitchen specifications, the most important considerations are space and location.
Kitchen islands require a large amount of space, not only for the island itself, but also for the circulation aisles around it. And if you have in mind to add stools or chairs, you must also take into account the space that these will occupy.
American kitchen bar
Need more work surface or just a place to eat or socialize? Take a look at these well-planned kitchens to find out how to make the most of a breakfast bar.
Small bars
Even if you don’t have a lot of space, a small bar can give you a lot of functionality. This mini bar is not only big enough for two stools, but also has a cabinet and shelves for extra storage. This surface helps to separate the kitchen from the adjacent space.
Size does not matter. Sometimes even a little extra work surface is enough to make a difference. The bar here provides a useful place for food preparation and is also used for eating.
Parallel bar
A bar can be installed parallel to the worktop. It can go in the central space or against the wall, it all depends on the space available and the purpose of the bar.
Bar in U
Choosing to decorate everything in the same tones, for example with white and gray, including countertops and stools, helps the breakfast bar to integrate with the rest of the kitchen.
Bar in L
If there are no dividing walls, this is a really efficient way to use an unused area, providing a lot of comfort and functionality.
If you can’t mount a wall-mounted bar, look for a tall, free-standing table, which can also work very well.
Floating
To create the illusion of space, one of the possibilities is not to place furniture on the floor. The bar here extends from the wall to form a floating breakfast table. The lack of cabinets downstairs gives the room a sense of space and flow.
Curve
The bars can also be curved, but keep in mind that you will need more space to install them.
American kitchen and living room
An open kitchen is a great fit for today’s casual lifestyles, providing a gathering place and greater sociability during meal preparation.
But it takes skill to design a space that blends harmoniously with the living room, especially in small flats and houses. Clever zoning and consistent decor are key factors for success.
Clever decorating and design ideas keep each area defined but looking cohesive, with no interruptions. Think about where guests or family members will sit while someone is cooking and where you would like to eat.
The breakfast bars should be located away from the work area so that no one gets in the way, but they should be close enough for the conversation to flow easily.
Open kitchens offer many advantages. The most obvious is that you will be able to more easily socialize with family and friends while you cook. It also allows you to keep an eye on the kids while they are doing homework or playing. This home design incorporates dining, food preparation and entertainment areas.
With no walls to obstruct light or views, spaces often feel spacious. But large spaces require as much care in planning as small spaces. The working part of the kitchen in particular needs to function ergonomically.
Whenever possible, keep the classic work triangle between the sink, refrigerator and countertop to reduce the number of steps, using an island to help shorten these distances where necessary.
Small kitchenette
Kitchenettes don’t have to be huge, even small spaces can sparkle. This compact kitchen benefits from an uncluttered layout with all the conveniences at your fingertips.
Classic cabinets painted in a dark hue are a sophisticated choice, especially when paired with a beautiful wood countertop. The countertop runs the length of this room, showing that small can really be beautiful.
An important consideration to take into account in a small kitchen is the flow of circulation. Curves are great for subtly directing steps and keeping kids out of danger spots.
Tearing down the walls for a larger area is an ideal way to transform a cramped, dark room. Take into account all the extra light and space you could potentially gain.
You can use glass dividers or sliding doors to separate the kitchen area from the living room, and consider installing a bar and stools to create a relaxed dining area.
A rustic, country-style island can turn a simple kitchen into a charming space. A wooden countertop, shelves also in this noble material and open shelves for wine can be combined to give a lot of style and elegance. Accessories are fun, retro, and help bring the room together.
Dark stained wood can be a stunning decorative element for an island. It can contrast with countertops in the rest of the kitchen, like black granite, and white cabinets can make a beautiful contrast.
More wooden kitchens: Wooden kitchens 2022 + 80 photos and trends 
You can use vintage style bar stools that can add a lot of personality. These industrial-style iron designs stand out against white cabinets, making the island the focal point of the room.
You can also achieve the homey feel of a country kitchen with an island in a bold color. In a mostly neutral scheme, this island adds a subtle injection of color and draws attention to your drawers. An island is not just about a work surface, it can also house cabinets and drawers.
The sculptural pendants that hang above this white island with its elegant doors create a beautiful focal point. It shows that mix-and-match kitchen units can create a harmonious effect.
