Do you want to knock down the kitchen wall to build a breakfast bar? Here are the details of our kitchen upgrade, removing half the wall and building a breakfast bar, with before and after photos.
The kitchen in our 1970s home needed the least amount of work when we moved in two years ago. The previous owners updated the cabinets, floors, and counter tops from their original state. However, the wall between the kitchen and dining room was awkward and unnecessary.
The Kitchen Before the Upgrade
As you can see, there was very little space in the kitchen for a table and chairs. The kitchen was very dark and felt closed off. We made the best of the room though. Last fall I became creative with the wall space and created a family command center. The open area in the kitchen served as a place for the children (and the cat) to eat and dance.
White Table // White Chairs // Trash Can
Should We Knock Down the Whole Kitchen Wall?
My sister’s father in law has done a lot of the upgrades in our house. He presented us with two options involving the wall in the kitchen. The first option: remove the load baring wall entirely. The second option: knock down half of the wall and make a breakfast bar.
While removing the entire load baring wall would create space for an island, it would be a very complicated project. Taking down the whole wall in the kitchen would be more expensive, require new flooring, elaborate electrical work, and an island.
After much consideration, we decided the best plan for the kitchen would be to knock down half the wall. Once the wall was open, there were only a few minor electrical adjustments to be made. Then we could build a breakfast bar into the wall.
The entire project took a little over a week since the work could only be completed at night. Once the breakfast bar was framed, I took the measurements to a local stone company to order a countertop. We chose a custom cut white quartz countertop that cost $300.
Wondering about the opening and countertop measurements?
The counter top is 18 inches wide by 62 inches long.
The height of the cutout is 4” and the width is 56.”
After the walls were patched and painted Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray the trim was installed. The project was finally complete!
After Knocking Down the Wall, We Build a Breakfast Bar
Our family doesn’t just eat breakfast at the half-wall countertop bar in the kitchen. We added stools to both sides of the bar, so our family of four can enjoy any meal together. We have 30″ stacking stools on the kitchen side – they are a perfect Serena and Lily dupe. There are counter stools with a back (similar to these).
The dining room and kitchen are so much brighter without the wall. I love to see the dining room light fixture through the kitchen. When we host guests, the pass through window is perfect for appetizers or overflow seating. Every day, though, I enjoy working at the counter!
This was everything!! The perfect addition to your home.
LOVE!! It looks so good!! We did this in our kitchen too and it is still one of our favorite decisions. It feels so open and lets in more light 🙂 Hope you & your family are doing well.
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
LOVE this!
I love the breakfast bar area. Sharing the “how to” is so helpful, thank you!
Love!
How much of the quartz do you have on the overhang on each side?
Debating what kind of stone to get as well.
The counter top is 18 inches wide by 62 inches long – while the height of the cutout is 4” and the width is 56”.
Do you mean the height of the cutout is 4’?
4” is incorrect?
Hi! I’m wanting to do this in my kitchen. So happy to find that someone else did it and turned out beautiful! Do you mind me asking about what it costs to do a project like this? Thanks!
We are hiring someone to come in and do this in our kitchen! I have another question 🙂 Is your bar height in line and the same height as your kitchen counter tops? Thanks!!
Hi! We have the bar counter top higher than the kitchen counter to accommodate 26″ stools.
Love your final product! May I ask what are the dimensions of your countertop??
Thank you!
Hello! The counter top is 18 inches wide by 62 inches long.
Hi I was wondering if you could share the measurements of the breakfast bar please. Would love to re create this!
Hello,
Love the end product.
I’m in the process of doing something similar and would like yo know the dimensions of the bar opening.
Thanks
I would like to open up the wall over my stove into my dining room and utilize this room as part of my kitchen. My problem is I can’t find someone to do such a small job. My kitchen person and I are thinking of putting extra cabinets under the cutout in dining room and a peninsula. Any feedback . I live in Indiana.
That sounds like a great idea!
Can you share how much overhang is on either side for the counter top? Ie – what size was your piece of quartz?
Thanks, xoxo
Why you never respond to the questions about the measurements ? That would’ve help a lot of us
Hi Lili – my apologies for not replying here but I often send private replies. Here are the measurements:
The counter top is 18 inches wide by 62 inches long
The height of the cutout is 4” and the width is 56”
What is the height from the floor to the countertop?
Hi Caitlin, your breakfast bar looks great! I am thinking about the affordability if we do the same work. Would you tell me how much this remodel project cost? Thanks!
What size is your dining room that your bar stools are in? I’m building a house right now and love this idea between kitchen and dining room! I just am curious to see if our dining room is wide enough to accommodate the bar stools and dining table in the room.
Hi! We are getting ready to do this to our kitchen this weekend! What is the height from the floor to the counter top? Thank you!
Hello! Please read the comments 🙂