35 Strikingly Stylish Kitchen Breakfast Bar Ideas

There are many benefits to having a kitchen breakfast bar. A breakfast bar creates a welcoming social hub and a more informal dining spot to traditional dining rooms, while at the same time offering ample storage space to keep surfaces sleek and clutter-free.

See also: Modern kitchen ideas

As open plan kitchens become increasingly popular and kitchens are becoming more social spaces, breakfast bars provide a social focal point for family life and guests, where people can gather, eat and chat.

Usually the social hub of any home, people tend to be drawn to kitchen islands and gather around them at drinks and dinner parties. Adding seating means you can offer them somewhere to sit and chat while the host is busy in the kitchen.

See Also:Modern Kitchen Island Ideas

Breakfast bars are typically incorporated within kitchen islands or peninsula-style layouts to create a laid-back, informal space.

Breakfast bars also give you valuable extra storage, allowing you to keep more things tucked away and your kitchen clutter free, and they provide extra work surface area for preparing large meals as well as serving buffet style party food on.

A breakfast bar is also a great way to add a dining area to your kitchen without needing space for a table if you want to create a separate, more formal dining room.

Plus, an island unit can also help direct the flow of traffic away from busy hotspots.

See Also:The Best Kitchen Island Stools

For a show-stopping centrepiece, look to luxury materials, from volcanic rock, walnut wood and marble tops to copper, brass or even foxed mirror sides.

When it comes to seating, upholstered Gubi beetle chairs are a classic choice, while industrial style seating can create a cool more urban look. Stick with backless seating so the stools can tuck in neatly under the island, keeping the walking areas clear.

Ready to get inspired? Here are 35 of the most gorgeous kitchen breakfast bar ideas to transform your space into a versatile kitchen-diner.

This sleek breakfast bar kitchen island is solid marble, with a brass tap, hot tap and sink to complement the striking kitchen pendant and the extractor hood. Get the look: The Classic Dome range hood kitchen extractor is by Vogler Metalwork & Design, as is the bespoke brass sink. This is the range cooker by Lacanche. These are Autoban 249T Butterfly bar stools by De La Espada. The brass 1030 kitchen mixer tap is by Barber Wilsons & Co.

Volcanic stone is the star of the kitchen island. Although substantial and weighty, it doesn’t dominate and up close you can see tiny fossils, shapes and the veining in the rock. Get the look: The kitchen is Minotti Cucina in volcanic stone with predominantly Gaggenau appliances. The polished concrete flooring is by Lazenby. The toaster is Dualit. Kitchen storage can be entirely concealed behind bifold doors for a very pure, clean look.

Lipstick-red artwork by Sara Pope is repeated in the set of pouty Gubi stools that were reupholstered in luscious fuchsia velvet, giving the space an edgier feel. Get the look: The bar stools are by Gubi, re-covered in Varese velvet in Fuchsia by Designers Guild. The lips artwork is by Sara Pope. The light is by Där Lighting.

While the blend of natural materials such as wood, stone, marble and metal is very now, it’s glamorous vibe won’t date. Get the look: The kitchen is bespoke by Matrix Design, with a marble and brass island. These are Hooked pendants by Buster + Punch. The bar stools are from Rockett St George.

While the blend of natural materials such as wood, stone, marble and metal is very now, it’s glamorous vibe won’t date. Get the look: The kitchen is bespoke by Matrix Design, with a marble and brass island. These are Hooked pendants by Buster + Punch. The bar stools are from Rockett St George.

This island is half kitchen island, half dining table. Get the look: The kitchen units are from Krieder and are finished in sprayed lacquer, with worktops in Corian and banana leaf veneer. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Charleston Gray estate emulsion. These are Argento Larch porcelain planks from Mandarin Stone. This is the Josef armchair from Swoon Editions. These are Jerry dining chairs by Habitat.

An all white kitchen with solid Quartzite kitchen island and these modern bar stools create a super slick and ultra modern breakfast bar vibe. The clean lines and minimal looks of the cabinetry are softened by the rich, textural warmth of herringbone oak floors and the energetic patterning of a white Quartzite worktop and kitchen island. The Quartzite imitates the feel of marble, but it is much more hard-wearing. Get the look: The kitchen is from the Tio Collection by Rational, teamed with White Fantasy Quartzite from Stone World. These are Bolle Sola pendants by Massimo Castagna for Gallotti&Radice. The stools are from John Lewis.

A large, jaw-dropping faux olive tree looks as though it's taken root within the Corian-clad island. It's a bit off the wall, but it makes a striking display and makes the most of the kitchen height. Get the look: The bespoke cabinetry by Sola Kitchens features Corian worksurfaces and antique mirror-glass panels on the island. The island’s bespoke legs (matching the legs of the bar chairs) are by Adam Paterson at jpatersonbuilders.co.uk. These are Hauteville concrete bar chairs by Lyon Beton at Rockett St George. The felt Corn Flakes packet and other felt products on the shelving is from The Felt Cornershop collection by Lucy Sparrow at sewyoursoul.co.uk.

A monochrome palette is teamed with sleek metal details to give this space a cool, industrial-style edge, while the wood flooring and chairs add a more organic, earthy feel. This king-size island has a generous amount of storage and makes a striking centrepiece, providing a great spot for family and friends to gather. Get the look: The limited-edition Butcher’s Kitchen units are by Buster + Punch. The Holton chairs are by James UK. For similar English oak flooring, try Jordan Andrews.

Log storage makes a pretty display in this breakfast bar kitchen island. Get the look: The kitchen carcasses are from Ikea. The polished-concrete worktop is by Mortise Concrete.

Stools tuck neatly under this marble breakfast bar, keeping them out of sight from the living area and helping to make the kitchen appear tidier. Get the look: Arabescato marble has been used for the island, worktop and splashback. Decorative Collective has a range of similar mirrors.

This kitchen island worktop stretches out to create a table-like piece of kitchen furniture. Get the look: The kitchen is bespoke through Andy Martin with a worktop by Diespeker & Co. The pendant light is also by Andy Martin. The Déjà-vu stools are by Naoto Fukasawa for Magis at Viaduct.

Minimalist wire seating suits this Scandi inspired kitchen space. Get the look: The cabinetry and worktops are from Roundhouse. These are Midas bar stools from Rockett St George. The Amp pendants by Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen are from nest.co.uk. The oak herringbone flooring is from Siberian Floors. This is the Psychedelic Cactus coat stand by Paul Smith for Gufram.

This kitchen island breakfast bar has a clear divide, with cabinets, cooking appliances and a hobb on the left, and a double sided breakfast bar on the right. Get the look: Marble worksurface and splashback, Quarry Kitchen cabinets, custom-made by INS Construction; Lights, custom-made by Early Electrics. Appliances, Sub-Zero and Miele. Grey velvet chairs, Dwell Studio. Sofa, Dwell Studio. Circular table with brass legs, Dwell Studio. Flooring, Carlisle Wide Plank Flooring.

This style of kitchen island seating paired with the dark under island storage creates a masculine, sports bar style vibe. Mirrored skirting creates the impression of floating units and along with the oversized floor tiles, increases the feeling of space. The handle-less kitchen cupboards and discreet extractor (hidden in the island) enhance the clean look. Get the look: The kitchen units are from the Handleless range from Online Kitchen Store. The worktop is Corian. These are Hardcore tiles by Bedrock Tiles.

Polished resin floors, an all white kitchen island and the blackboard chalk painted back wall create a clean and simple kitchen style. These industrial style bar stools are the perfect fit for it. Get the look: These are Crystal Bulb pendants by Lee Broom. The light above the sink unit is vintage Jieldé. The large star is from The White Company. The bar stools are from Rockett St George.

The open fire with brickwork back, the natural linen blinds, the wooden breakfast bar and woven stools all create a rustic vibe, yet this space feels modern too. The dining room is connected to the main kitchen via a large archway. The modern kitchen island doubles up as a breakfast bar and serving island for the dining room. Get the look: Counter stools from McGuire. Basket from Jonathan Kline. Wall Sculpture from Emily Payne. Black Vases from Erin McGuinness.

Canary yellow give this breakfast bar a kick of vibrancy. Get the look: This is a Devol kitchen. The stools are from Vintage Industrial Metal. The pendant is from Industville. The framed palm prints are from French Connection Home. The vases are by Habitat. The cake stands are from House of Fraser. The panettones are from Carluccio’s and Selfridges. The champagne, mince pies and gold coins are from Selfridges. The glassware is from Sainsbury’s.

Tom Dixon lights over the island are a stylish alternative to a cooker hood. A zinc breakfast bar was created as somewhere to eat and as a way to extend the scale of the unit to fit the size of the room. Get the look: This is an original Hand Painted kitchen by Smallbone. The island is painted in Slate IV architects eggshell; and the cabinets in BTWN Dog & Wolf architects eggshell, both by Paint & Paper Library. The work surface is Misty Carrera Caesarstone. These are Pam bar stools by Claudio Dondoli and Marco Pucci for Ligne Roset. These are Tom Dixon’s Melt pendants. The sofa is by Designers Guild.

The design for the kitchen was created around the wall clock. The owners had the clock first and wanted it to be a feature, so the stainless-steel island by Bulthaup was specially positioned to highlight it. Get the Look: The Eastern European train station clock is from Trainspotters. The Fifties bar stools are by Frank Guille for Kandya. The exposed concrete floor is by Lazenby.

This kitchen island is clad in wood reclaimed from the local parish hall, while the kitchen island stools mimic traditional school-style seating. Get the look: Kitchen units, Ikea. Toledo stools from Cult Furniture.

Leather bar stools complement the copper splashback. Get the look: The kitchen is by Goldman & Rankin. Metal Sheets can supply a burnished-copper splashback. The mixer tap is by Vigo. This is the Diner 125 pendant by Davey Lighting at Original BTC. The Industrial leather bar stools are from Rockett St George. This is the Dot vase by House Doctor at Lef Living.

We love how the island top stretches out over pillars / plinths, to provide extra leg room. The kitchen island is painted in American-inspired 'barn red'. Get the look: For a similar kitchen, see British Standard By Plain English. The island is painted in Rectory Red estate eggshell by Farrow & Ball. Mishari found the Bluff City pendants at Roll & Hill in New York – buy them in the UK via Places and Spaces.

Everywhere there are flourishes of green – instead of overhead units, the focal point of the bespoke kitchen is the row of Indian glass paintings and the antique chandelier, hung deliberately low to relax the lofty proportions of the interior. The green bar stools pull it all together. Get the look: The bar stools are by hay. Find a similar chandelier at Norfolk Decorative Antiques. For pendant lights like these, try Heal’s. The kitchen is by Daulby and Tickle.

There's a subtle brass trim framing this breakfast bar and the kitchen cabinets, tying in with the pendant lights. Get the look: For similar cabinetry, try Bulthaup. Mandarin Stone sells marble worktops. The Goodman pendant lights above the island are by Thomas O’Brien from Circa Lighting. These are the Tabouret A stools by Organic Modernism. The Branching Bubble light over the table is a custom design by Lindsey Adelman.

The bespoke Jack Trench design in this kitchen is achingly smart. Replacing an elderly Ikea number, it delivers a sleek mélange of walnut cabinetry and marble work surfaces and there’s a cool central island, perfect for food prep as well as for socialising. While the finishes are quite opulent – marble and walnut – they’re also very practical. The low ceiling has been painted with white gloss, which reflects the light around the room. Get the look: The cabinetry was designed and built by Jack Trench. These are CH58 bar stools by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Søn. The Gubi Bestlite BL9 pendants are from Twentytwentyone.

Big, chunky wood drawers are an unusual choice for a breakfast bar kitchen island, but they help frame the bar stools plus provide handy storage to keep the surfaces clear. Get the look: Bride’s Veil stools, Phase Design. Kastor pendant lights by Jo Hammerborg for Fog and Mørup, Ed Butcher.

Bronze mirrored-glass adds a glam note to this breakfast bar. Get the look: The island is made from Calacatta Vagli marble from Italy, sourced by Jon Loveday. The Raimond pendants are by Raimond Puts for Ox-ID at Moooi. These are Charles Ghost stools in Matt Gloss White by Philippe Starck for Kartell. The Axor Citterio Semi-Pro single lever kitchen mixer tap is by Hansgrohe.

These barely-there bar stools tuck neatly under the breakfast bar area, maximising floor space. Get the look: Source white marble worktops from JB Marble.

This island unit was designed by the owner, who is a builder, and has a composite-stone worktop, all beautifully bookmarked, as if it were made of solid marble. Get the look: The bespoke cabinetry is by Lee Redmond Interiors. The appliances are by Gaggenau. The professional tap is by Hansgrohe. This is a CDA ceiling extractor. The Angel cushion and the Concrete candle holders on the island are from Graham and Green.

The bespoke kitchen units have washed wood-effect doors and hammered metal spray-painted doors. The finish is put together with layer after layer of different patinas and then rubbed down to create a textured appearance.

Proof that simple black and white never dates. Get the look: This is Alno cabinetry. The tap is by Barber Wilsons & Co. The work surface was made from marble supplied by Rossi Stone Surfaces. The industrial-style pendant is from Soda. The stools were painted in Little Greene’s Basalt intelligent eggshell.

This country kitchen is made modern with copper pendants, shiny surfaces and modern industrial bar stools. Get the look: Kitchen cabinets, deVOL. Cabinets painted in Pavilion Gray Estate Eggshell, Farrow & Ball. Woodwork and walls, Strong White Estate Emulsion and Eggshell, Farrow & Ball. Machinist 62cm stools, Cult Furniture. Coolicon copper pendant lights, Artifact Lighting.

Neon yellow punctuates through this calm grey palette. Get the look: Try Maitland & Poate for cement tiles like these. The Knole kitchen by Stoneham has this look. Go to Creostone Worktops for a Carrara surface like this. Trumpet eggshell by Little Greene is a similar yellow paint.

The base for the island was made from reclaimed plaster pillars sourced from Retrouvius.

A wood breakfast bar zones the seating area from the rest of the kitchen island. Get the look: The kitchen was built bespoke. Try Bulthaup for something similar. Find the Roberts Revival DAB radio at John Lewis.

A foxed mirror adds unexpected aged glamour to this kitchen, and blends in with the mirrored wall behind. Get the look: The cabinetry was spray-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Oval Room Blue eggshell. The vintage stools are from Ormston Saint. The flagstone floor is by Stone Age.