A design element such as a bar counter appeared in the distant eighteenth century in North America. Many years have passed since then, the world has changed, the appearance of the bar and its functional task have changed. Initially, bar counters could only be seen in bars and restaurants. Today they have become a popular and desirable element of furniture in ordinary city apartments, country houses and cottages.
Bar counters not only help to make the space more saturated, stylish and modern. They help to properly zon the room, profitably, but unobtrusively, separating, for example, the kitchen area from the living room or dining area from the kitchen space. But the bar counter will be able to fully complete the task, only with the right lighting. How to choose a lamp above the bar? At what height do you hang it? What are they like? We answer all pressing questions today.
Restaurant Type Lighting
Choosing what kind of lamps to hang over the bar in the apartment, you can take the restaurant type of lighting as the basis. But experts advise only to take a certain idea as a basis, and not fully correspond to the type of light in bars. For home conditions, too dim lighting is not suitable, which is done in restaurants at the bar counter. For the house, it is better to choose a brighter light that will help when cooking on the bar top (island).
But the idea of illuminating the bar counter in the form of halogen lamps can be taken home. Spot lighting will make this element of decor, as if weightless, soaring and elegant. Glare coming from such lamps will be scattered across the floor, creating a feeling of weightlessness throughout the structure.
Home Lighting
There are two types of bar counters in apartments: with and without holders for glasses or bottles. Hang the lamp over a bar counter equipped with such a holder, it is better with an incandescent lamp. So you will have the opportunity to play with the light and emphasize the design features.
If there is no shelf for glasses, pendant lights on cables are perfect. Above the bar counter in the apartment you can hang one large chandelier, several spots hanging from the ceiling, a row of lamps on long cables, three or more lamps on cables of different lengths, etc. The main thing is that the lighting of this element of furniture is combined with the main light of the living room or kitchen .
Ceiling height
Before you hang pendant lights above the bar, you should consider everything to the smallest detail. A very important point is the height of the ceilings in the apartment. If they are high enough, then single lamps hanging on long cords of various lengths will be an ideal option. They not only highlight the work surface, but also help in zoning the room.
If the ceiling is too low, give preference to small spotlights. They can be placed both on the bar itself and on the surface of the glass holders. When choosing ceiling lighting, remember that the height of the lamp above the bar counter should be small. This will make the design visually smaller, lighter and help to “stretch” the space in height, making the ceiling higher and the room larger.
Features of the lighting of the bar area
When organizing the lighting of the kitchen, dining, dining or bar area in the house, one should pay attention not only to the type of lamp (incandescent or energy-saving), but also to the type of lighting that it gives. It is very important.
Scattered light
For example, it is very beneficial to hang a lamp over the bar, which gives diffused light. He is successful and advantageous in those places where guests and households gather, dreaming to relax and unwind in a relaxed atmosphere after a hard working day.
Directional light
If the lamp gives a directional, more saturated and bright light, then it is perfect if there are not only gatherings with friends at the bar, but also cooking. You will feel here both cozy and comfortable.
Reflective light
It is not recommended to hang light-emitting lamps above the bar counter in the kitchen. For this type of lighting, perfectly even surfaces of the ceiling and walls are simply necessary, and this can not be achieved in a kitchen with numerous furniture.
Types of diffused light shades
Since the lamp above the bar, giving diffused light, is the best option, it is worth talking about the varieties of shades. In most cases, bar counters are installed in the kitchen, so tempered glass shades are the best choice. They are characterized by low fire hazard, excellent light transmission and are very convenient to care for.
Spectacular and bright shades of fabric or paper for the kitchen counter are not suitable. They are flammable, uncomfortable to care, as they accumulate dust. Plastic shades will also be unsuccessful. They not only melt easily, but also quickly lose their originally attractive appearance.
Types of Ceiling Lights
For the design of the bar, the best option is suspended ceiling lights. Today, manufacturers offer a wide selection of such lighting products, so it can sometimes be difficult to decide on a model.
There are two types of pendant lights : ceiling-mounted and pendant. The first are mounted directly on the ceiling. The second ones have chains and tubes of various lengths, with the help of which they are fixed on the ceiling. If the bar counter is open, that is, it does not have shelves and high holders for glasses, choose a suspended version of the fixtures. If there are additional designs above it, it is better to give preference to ceiling-mounted lighting.
Number of lamps
- Single lamp . This option is perhaps the most popular and in demand among designers. Single, for example, spherical, fixtures will perfectly look above the bar counter, decorated both in retro style and in modern classics. In addition, single luminaires are easily and quickly mounted, have a small construction weight.
- Double lamp. Many designers recommend it because of the ability to "play" with lighting. By hanging a double lamp over the bar at different heights, you can advantageously illuminate the space.
- Triple lamp. It is better to choose the owners of large spacious kitchens with three or more lamps in a lamp for a bar counter. The light from such a lighting device will be diffused, soft. Triple bar chandeliers are today considered one of the most popular. Manufacturers offer models in the style of hi-tech, country, minimalism, etc.
Size matters
As a rule, bar counters are installed in the kitchen. And the choice of lighting will directly depend on the size of this room. Bar counters (islands) in small kitchens are best highlighted with built-in spotlights, which do not take up much space. Also, for small kitchens with a breakfast bar, ceiling-mounted lamps or small sconces are perfect.
Pendant lights with long cords will help to make a low ceiling visually higher. By placing such a light source above the bar, it will be possible to “stretch” the space, making the kitchen larger. You can also expand the space with hidden lighting. Lamps can be mounted in a bar or in holders for glasses.
The bar in the house is not only a tribute to fashion, but also a convenient functional detail of the furniture of the kitchen or living room. The selected lighting should create a cozy atmosphere, help relax and tune in to a pleasant evening. When choosing a lamp for a bar, remember that it should brightly, but unobtrusively emphasize the general beauty of the interior of the room. Fanciful and elegant lamps are best left for the living room and the kitchen itself. The lamp above the bar should only be combined with the overall design, and not be knocked out of it.