Kitchen island designs with beautiful breakfast bars
Posted on 4th August 2025
Breakfast bars are on the rise – here is why you should consider this feature when designing your dream kitchen island…
Seating has become an integral part of multi-functional kitchen islands, whether it’s split-level dining, restaurant-style banquettes, or breakfast bars with beautiful stools; and it’s easy to see why the latter is such a popular choice.
The Wilderness Kitchen with Joseph Giles‘ Cube Edge Pull in Dark Bronze Waxed. Contractor, Bailey and Jones. Interior design by Hoban Designs. Photography: Astrid Templier.
This feature ensures those extra seating spots when entertaining, allows the cook to socialise or keep an eye on little ones doing homework, and helps brighten up mornings by having a dedicated spot for enjoying breakfast, all while not taking up valuable floor space.
A common way to create a breakfast bar is by extending your worktop using brackets or structural support, or you can add contrast by opting for a different material such as wood. However, there are a few key considerations to think about, such as choosing the right surface, which needs to be durable for everyday use, and planning enough space underneath to ensure practicality and comfort.
Bespoke kitchen from PAD using its Belgravia cabinetry in a vibrant Army Green finish. The island includes a zone for sitting and enjoying coffee and breakfast each morning. Interior design by Karen Oliver. Photography: Chris Snook.
You will also need to ask yourself how you intend to use the island and how many chairs you would like to have in order to decide its layout. Do you entertain often? Then, an L-shaped breakfast bar with four to five chairs could be the right option for you.
Alternatively, if storage is your priority, you can simply have a row of stools on one side of your island, or a more compact overhang at one end, spacious enough for two chairs. Ultimately, the breakfast bar needs to be tailored to your lifestyle and needs.
At the heart of this serene design by Sola Kitchens, showcasing its Fjord signature style in antique stained oak veneer, is a striking island wrapped in honed dark stone, serving as a central cooking hub and casual breakfast bar.
Want to see what’s possible? I’ve selected some of my favourite kitchen island designs with sleek and seamless breakfast bars, in various sizes, shapes and layouts. Scroll down to get inspired…
Inspiration gallery
Balance functionality and style with open and closed island storage, a compact seating spot, and ample worktop space. Kitchen by The Main Company. Photography: Chris Snook.Make the most of your island design with an L-shaped breakfast bar akin to a chef’s table. Fenway Lane by Serpentine Interiors Limerick Ireland. Photography: PJR.A curved island offers the perfect opportunity for a pretty and practical breakfast bar. Holkham kitchen by Davonport. From £40,000. Design by Design Interiors.Short of space? Ensure there is enough room underneath the overhang, so you can tuck the bar stools when not in use. Caesarstone 4043 Primordia surface in a project by Portrait Kitchens and RX Architects. Photography: Richard Chivers. A breakfast bar is the perfect place for taking a moment to indulge in your morning routine – coffee and pastries included. Kitchen by Pfeiffer Design.This Japandi-meets-Mediterranean kitchen in Kinland’s latest development, Eastbrook in East Dulwich, includes sleek seating under a speckled worktop. Breakfast bars suit a range of kitchen styles, from modern to classic, as seen in this design featuring charming pops of pink, such as the Delizia Blush Roman blind, from £130, Hillarys.Wish you could have seating space but don’t want to compromise on storage or appliances? Extend the worktop at one end of your island, ideal for a couple of bar stools. The Hartford collection in Tansy and Lithadora, from £25,000, Tom Howley.Achieve a visually cohesive look by coordinating your bar stools with the lighting above the island. Here, the dark metal finish adds an industrial touch to the kitchen, while the Summer Truffle flooring from the Serenity collection, £164.93 per sq m, Chaunceys Timber Flooring completes the scheme. Design by Alice Leigh Design, Chantel Elshout. Photography: Paul Craig.By including a breakfast bar in your island design, you can chat to your guests while preparing meals. Kitchen by Humphrey Munson.Make your island work harder with a small but mighty worktop overhang. Kitchen by Schmidt UK.
